Brown Estate – Betelgeuse Sauvignon Blanc – California. YES – it is pronounced Beetle Juice . . but it’s NOT named for the 80’s movie with Michael Keaton. ‘Betelgeuse’ is the name of one of the largest stars visible to the human eye. It’s a “red giant” and part of the Orion constellation. It’s almost 1,000 times larger than our sun!

Brown Estate makes some fabulous wines in Napa – including this amazing Sauvignon Blanc. Lot’s of texture and luscious stone fruit. This may be one of the best Sauv Blancs you’ll taste this year.

Mas Des Volques – Esus Rhone Blend – France > Rhone Valley.  A blend of Rhone red varietals that leads with Syrah along with Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan. Medium-bodied with peppery herbs, plums, blackberries and earthy / loamy notes.

Aerena – Cabernet Sauvignon – California > North Coast. A single-vineyard Cabernet farmed from vines at 2,400 ft. elevation in the Red Hills of California’s North Coast. Aromas of blackberry with hints of graphite. Rich, concentrated plum, black cherry, dark cocoa and vanilla with soft tannins.

July’s “If You Insist” Wine Club:

2016 Francis Tannahill – ‘The Hermit’ Pinot Noir – Oregon > Willamette Valley > Dundee Hills

Aromas of Bing and black cherries, blueberries cinnamon and wild strawberries jump from the glass.

Tobacco, damp earth and baking spices deepen and add complexity to the nose.
Rich flavors of red and blue fruits along with serious tannins and mouthwatering acidity build a powerful foundation for this wine.