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VINTNERS SERIES
V I N T N E R S
MARCH 2012
11
1 - 8 0 0 - 9 4 9 - 9 4 6 3 • w w w . W i n e o f t h e M o n t h C l u b . c o m
would work together in the
barrel. About 1500 cases of
the first release have been
initially produced, and
Stroud estimates that only
a thousand or so will be
bottled later this year. He
explained that the final
amount always depends on
the quantity of grapes he is
able to secure that fit his
exacting standards.
Our selection comes from
t he Cen t r a l
C o a s t
o f
California, one
of the coolest
grape growing
r eg i on s
i n
C a l i f o r n i a .
These vineyards
are usually the
l a s t t o b e
picked, meaning the grapes
hang on the vine much
longer than the rest, pulling
nutrients from the soil and
soaking up the last bit of
sunshine. The results are an
incredibly rich and extracted
wine without the associated
tannins and high alcohol that
usually accompany them.
This is a classic Merlot with
the soft exchange of fruit
and tannin enveloping your
palate and depositing flex
of bright fruit and earth
along the way. A perfect
accompaniment for veal
daube or pork tenderloin.
& H is a wine crafted
by Dennis Stroud, a
wine entrepreneur
and wine industry expert
located in Napa, California,
and managing partner of
Plata Wine Partners. It all
started with Stroud’s sister,
Denise, and her husband,
Mike Tomei . They own
an upscale restaurant in
Placervi l le, CA , named
Tomei’s on Main, and were
looking for a house wine
that was a cut
above
t he
rest . Dennis
fashioned a
b l end t ha t
was so good,
n e i g h b o r i n g
r e s t a u r a n t s
wanted him to
do the same for
them.
Plata owns a tremendous
amount of vineyards that
produce a complete array of
varietals, from the very top
grapes to some more
moderately pr iced. The
ongoing advantage is that
Dennis can select from each
succeeding vintage the very
best grapes in whatever
quantities he needs.
Stroud collected grapes from
practically every part of the
Central Coast to make the
wines. He used his years of
expertise to pinpoint exact
sources for some of the
grapes that he was sure
L
ITEM #: V312R2
Retail Price:
$17.99/each
Member Price: $15.98/each
Reorder Price:
$9.99/each
44% Discount
Merlot
(Mare LOW)
2008
L & H Cellars
Central Coast, California
Color:
Medium purple
Nose:
Currant, black cherry
and cocoa
Palate:
Very clean cranberry
and soft tannins
Finish:
Lingering with cherry
and vanilla
Drink now
through 2013
WOMC RATING
93 Points