CWM Wine Club

Fourth Quarter 2022

The CWM Wine Club is all about discovery and we love nothing more than sharing our new favorites with you. These wines are truly exceptional, each in their own way, and are bursting with loads of personality. Each wine has its story to tell, which is also part of the fun... knowing the background of the people who make these handcrafted beauties.

Riesling used to be the most planted white grape variety in Napa Valley… now fewer than 100 acres remain.  The Sonnenfrost 2019 is a dry Riesling with layers of melon and peach balanced by racy acidity and minerality. Only 150 cases produced.

 The Bucher Vineyard in the Russian River Valley produces outstanding Pinot Noir.  The famed Williams Selyem Winery makes a vineyard designated Pinot from this vineyard.  The Bucher Wines 2019 Pinot Noir displays explosive sweet black cherry and vanilla.  It just received a Double Gold Medal at this year’s Sonoma County Harvest Fair.  Only 563 cases produced.

 Our recent trip to Paso Robles yielded a new discovery. Seven Oxen is an organically farmed estate vineyard and winery producing tiny quantities of exceptional wine.  Their 2018 ‘Cassidy’ (65% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre) has effusive candied raspberry (from the Grenache) combined with darker fruit and earth character (from the Mourvèdre).  Only 11 barrels produced (275 cases).

 Prima Materia is an estate grown vineyard in Lake County devoted entirely to Italian grape varieties.  We loved the 2019 Barbera for its spicy red cranberry fruit and combination of complexity and rusticity.  Only 240 cases produced.

 The Tenimenti D’Alessandro 2018 ‘Rosso’ Syrah comes from an organically grown estate vineyard just outside Cortona in Tuscany, Italy.  It delivers ripe dark berries and a spicy, smoky character.  This is a CWM Wine Club member exclusive.  Only 300 cases imported to the U.S. (all to California).

 The Stråla 2019 Napa Valley Proprietary Red is a compelling blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.  It has deeply concentrated and penetrating layers of dark cherry, cassis, vanilla, cocoa, and gorgeous French oak.  A showstopper!  Only 250 cases produced!