Most popular wine you have never heard of.....?

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Maybe the most popular wine you have never heard of.....?

2008 El Nido CLIO

Greetings!

Yes, it's true! CLIO is our most popular wine. Except for the premiere 2002 vintage, when the wine was a complete unknown, every vintage since has sold out immedi- ately, but on the QT. Why? Because allocations have been so restricted, we have only offered CLIO to those who have purchased the prior vintage. I did so again for the splendid 2008 vintage, and all 50 six packs sold the final week of December.

BUT NOW, the importer has just informed me to "HAVE AT IT!".

CLIO is the Jorge Ordonez-Chris Ringland project from extraordinary low yield, old vines growing from two white, stone-chalky vineyards in the Jumilla DO, situated within the Murcia province in the southeast corner of Spain. Jorge Ordonez is Spain's most successful importer to America. Chris Ringland is arguably the most successful and famous Aussie winemaker from Barossa Valley.....I believe at last count, winemaker Ringland had earned at least 11 perfect 100 scores from Robert Parker.

Jumilla DO - Monastrell Vineyard

Chris Ringland magically composes CLIO from a meticulous selection of 70% Mourvedre (Monastrell) -2/3 of a ton per acre from 65 year old vines, and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon - one ton per acre from 31 year old vines. A seven day fermentation takes place in open top, small vats holding only 3 to 4 tons per batch. Then the grapes are gently basket pressed, and the wine is moved to new French and American oak barrels where it completes malolactic fermentation and is aged for 26 months. Production: 1,125 cases.

Tasted at last Saturday's Tasting Bar, and to be repeated again this Saturday, January 15th, CLIO continues to be an over-the-top, lavish and hedonistic expression of sumptuous black and blue fruits with enthralling aromas of spice box, violets, espresso, and vanillin. CLIO is crazy fun to drink now, but capable of aging for many years.

Although the 2008 vintage has not been rated at ths time, since CLIO's conception in 2002, here are Robert Parker's Wine Advocate ratings to date:

2002 - 93 points
2003 - 96 points
2004 - 97 points
2005 - 95 points
2006 - 95 points
2007 - 94 points

CLIO is typically priced at $50+ a bottle at release. The 2004 vintage can still be found on the internet at $150 a bottle.

NOW ORDER THE 2008 CLIO - $47.95 A BOTTLE!

$44.95 A BOTTLE - 6 OR MORE BOTTLES!

.....whether or not you you are a CLIO fan, we just uncovered an 8 case cache of the extraordinary 2007 La Peira en Damaisela Obriers de la Peira from the Terrasses du Larzac, of the Herault-Languedoc region of southern France! Last sold over a year ago, this wine was the very first release from La Peira, and I shed real tears believing it was gone forever! In fact, my only comfort has come by knowing I can wait patiently for the subsequent releases from this new project that have everyone panting with anticipation, including SQN's Manfred Krankl, Jancis Robinson, Andrew Jefford, David Schildknect, and Robert Parker. So maybe this is a sign something is going to begin flowing in the pipeline this Spring? It is little wonder, as all the ratings are rabid raves and astronomical scores! This wine is the domaine's "value" blend of 2/3 Cinsault and 1/3 Carignan, and provides the perfect introduction to all the excitement. Only $24.95 a bottle, or 6 for 22.46.

To read more....

Saturday's Tasting Bar Lineup - January 15th

Click on the red link to see the wines scheduled to sample this coming Saturday from Noon until 4 pm at The Wine Consultant's Tasting Bar. A $10 tasting fee per person is waived with a $20 in store wine purchase. Reservations are not required. This is a casual event to intrigue, diversify and educate one's palate.

The Wine Consultant

Best Cheers!

Eric Stumpf

Renee Kroeger

The Wine Consultant

8039 Greenback Lane

Citrus Heights, CA 95610

(916) 721-WINE (9463)

www.TheWineConsultant.com