October Wines are Here

The Graziano Cabernet Sauvignon is a distinctive, full-bodied Mendocino County Cabernet Sauvignon produced from an old-vine vineyard and crafted in a deliberately traditional, ageworthy style. It represents a particularly special chapter in the history of Graziano Family of Wines: the 2023 vintage was so impressive that winemaker Gregory Graziano decided to retain the wine rather than sell it on the bulk market. It ultimately became the only vintage of Graziano Cabernet Sauvignon, making this bottle a particularly interesting piece of Mendocino winehistory. The grapes for this wine were hand harvested on November 12th, 2023 and were crushed into open top fermentors and allowed to cold soak for 4 days before the start of fermentation. After a long, slow
fermentation, the wine was aged for 36 months in 50% new French oak barrels, softening the tannins and adding length, complexity and spice to the wine. Very dark purple garnet in color, this wine has aromas and flavors of cassis, dark berries and toasted oak. Its full-bodied structure is framed by balanced
acidity and big supple tannins which make this a great food wine that is also perfect for long
aging in the cellar.

Varietal: 100% Cabernet
Sauvignon
15.3% ABV

The 2018 Bodegas Vatan Tritón Tinta de Toro is a powerful yet surprisingly elegant expression of Toro's indigenous Tempranillo clone, combining the concentration and intensity for which the region is famous with fresh acidity, mineral character, and finely textured tannins. Made entirely from Tinta de Toro, the local form of Tempranillo, Tritón is designed to showcase the character of Toro's historic old vineyards rather than mask it with excessive oak or extraction. The 2018 vintage is particularly compelling because it was a relatively mild vintage, allowing the wine to retain freshness and definition while still delivering the deep fruit, structure, and concentration associated with Toro. The nose is rich and expressive, centered on blackberry, ripe plum, and dark berry fruit. There are also more savory and mature nuances, including undergrowth herbs, dried herbs, and chutneylike fruit. On the palate, the 2018 Tritón is rich, intense, medium- to full-bodied, and firmly structured, with a core of ripe black and darkred fruit. Flavors of blackberry, plum, dark cherry, and black fruits are complemented by peppery herbs, subtle spice, and mineral notes.

Varietal: 100%
Tinta de Toro 15% ABV

Many of McLaren Vale's vineyards are on freedraining soils underlain with limestone, formed by the calcareous remains of the local marine fauna including the Hermit Crab, a reclusive little creature that inhabits the cast-off shells of others. Thus the Osborn family thought the name appropriate for this blend. Small batches of grapes were crushed and transferred to stainless steel basket presses. Fermentation was long and moderately cool to retain fresh fruit characters. About 4% underwent wild fermentation for extra complexity. 14% of the Viognier was fermented in seasoned French oak to add mouth feel and support the subtle Viognier tannins. Both components received similar treatment, but were not blened until the final stages of the wine making process.

Wine Club Tasting Notes October 2026 Fragrant aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine lend an air of elegance to this wine. On the palate, ripe stone fruits take center stage, with peach and apricot leading the way, complemented by hints of cantaloupe, pineapple, and mango. The creamy texture is beautifully balanced by bright acidity, finishing with a hint of ginger.

Varietal: 53.5%
Viognier; 46.5%
Marsanne 14% ABV

Raymond Reserve Chardonnay is a polished, richly textured California Chardonnay that combines the ripe fruit character associated with Napa Valley with the cooler-climate freshness of the Carneros region. It is a wine built around the classic Chardonnay balance of fruit, acidity, oak, and texture, offering generous aromas and flavors without sacrificing freshness. The Reserve Chardonnay draws much of its character from Carneros, the cool southern portion of the Napa Valley influenced by the nearby San Pablo Bay. The region's cooler temperatures and marine influence allow Chardonnay grapes to ripen slowly while retaining natural acidity. The current 2023 Reserve Chardonnay was fermented in French oak barrels, with approximately 22% of the barrels being new French oak. About 52% underwent malolactic fermentation, giving the wine additional roundness and texture while retaining its natural acidity. Wine Club Tasting Notes October 2026.

The nose is immediately expressive, with a combination of ripe orchard fruit, citrus, floral aromas, and subtle oak. The palate is where the Reserve Chardonnay's balance becomes most apparent. The wine has a medium- to full-bodied texture, with a generous entry and substantial mid-palate weight. Flavors of pear, golden apple, white peach, stone fruit, and Meyer lemon provide the core of the wine, while citrus acidity adds energy and definition.

Varietal: 100%
Chardonnay 14.5% ABV