When our incredible friends, MARK & TARA REIN, told us of this donation, we were
rightfully excited. Every year we look forward to what they will pull from their cellar. This
year is no exception. Mark & Tara are not only generous with their wine, their generosity
toward the children at Frankie Lemmon is unparalleled.
"Terroir", the highly charged word some consider the essence of wine. With no exact
English translation, and because of its similarity to the Latin root terr, meaning earth or
land, many associate terroir first and foremost with soil. Properly understood, however, it
means the whole ecology of a vineyard: every aspect of its surroundings from bedrock to
late frosts to autumn mists, not excluding the way the vineyard is tended, nor even the soul
of the vigneron. In short, great wines taste like they came from somewhere!
CHÃ'TEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES and CARDINALE get it! Though their approach to
winemaking differs, they share this in common: take one sip of each and you're
transported to the left bank of the Gironde River in Bordeaux or the heart of Napa Valley,
respectively.
TERROIR of CHÃ'TEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES - Châteaus and Domaines have been
made famous by their "somewhereness." Terroir is, after all, a French term. Château
Léoville Las Cases is no exception. Domaine de Léoville, one of the oldest Medoc estates,
was split up between 1826 and 1840 as a result of the French Revolution. Thanks to a kind
of birthright Château Léoville Las Cases was created from three fifths of the original estate,
including the historic heart of the domain, holding on to its original terroir since the 17th
century! Since then, Château Léoville Las Cases has produced widely recognized wines
with complex and polished expressions characteristic of the Clos Léoville Las Cases.
TERROIRS of CARDINALE - Just as well known, Cardinale was born in 1982 with a
slightly different mission in mind. Drawing inspiration from the myriad soils, climate,
elevation and exposure of each sub-region and specific vineyard. Producing a singular
Cabernet Sauvignon from the highest-quality vineyards across all of Napa Valley,
Cardinale is guided by the vintage character of each year, assembling the distinguished
flavors and personalities of Napa Valley appellations into a richly layered, balanced whole.
All sub-appellations of the valley are considered, and grape sources change from year to
year, amounting to the most distinctive wines conceivable.
Let us know which you prefer by raising those paddles!
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CHÃ'TEAU LEOVILLE-LAS CASES
TWO (2) BOTTLES OF 1996
TWO (2) BOTTLES OF 2005
TWO (2) BOTTLES OF 2014
CARDINALE
SIX (6) BOTTLES OF 2012