One of the great things about wine clubs offerd by "mom and pop" wine stores is that almost always someone who really loves wine and wants to share that love of wine with others is the person choosing the wine. A small wine store often has a well-curated selection and their wine club shipments are the creme-de-la-creme in the right price range. For that reason we think Evolution Wines has a great head start against its competition from some of the largest clubs who purchase cheap wine in bulk.

Theory is one thing and practice is another thing entirely. We finally got our hands on the wine list offered from the California Dreamin' wine club offered by Evolution Wine & Spirits... and we're impressed! The list is below and we're happy to say we've tasted or are aware of all of these selections, and they're being offered at a very fair price in this wine club.

Sample Bottles

Provenance Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
The expansive aromas and flavors of the 2008 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon are filled with brambly blackberry, dark plum, black cherry and cassis character. Hints of clove, black pepper and mocha add warmth to the aromas, while toffee and hazelnut notes from oak aging linger on the dark-fruit palate. Cocoa powder tannins, a signature of Rutherford terroir, firmly frame the generous, mouthfilling flavors.

Our Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in the historic Rutherford region of the Napa Valley, first planted by Thomas Rutherford in the 1800s. This elegant, voluptious wine demonstrates the distinctiveness of teh appellation with dark cherry and blackberry fruit flavors and typical "Rutherford Dust" notes of cocoa on the finish. The provenance of a piece of art is a guarantee of its authenticity. Our name reflects our goal of producing fine wines that are works of art.

Frogs Leap Cabernet 2008
The classic Rutherford characters of earth and dust are present in this 2008 Frogs' Leap Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of cassis and currant combine with a mineral tone and a touch of warm spices. Across the palate rich black cherry flavors are enhanced with notes of pomegranate, spice, cedar and green olive. Elegant and soft, this wine's plush texture is balanced by firm yet yielding tannins and a bright acidity.

Phelps Creek Unoaked Chardonnay 2009
Lovely nose shows green apple, melon and pear fruit with a deep bouquet. Dry bright, fresh and crisp on entry with apple/pear/citrus flavors followed by a hint of herbs and toast (from aging sur lies). Wonderful acid structure. Crisp enough for raw oysters with sauce mignonette, but with enough body to support grilled pancetta-wrapped prawns.

Sanford Chardonnay 2008
Our 2008 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay comes from four great vineyards. Our estate vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, La Rinconada and Sanford & Benedict, along with the El Camino Vineyard in Los Alamos and the Bien Nacido Vineyard east of Santa Maria combine to give this wine aromatic complexity and layers of flavor and richness. The 2008 vintage was low yielding and cool, which produced elegant wines with intensity and structure. This hand harvested, barrel fermented Chardonnay shows all of the bright citrus and pineapple aromas that make our appellation's Chardonnays so great. In addition to the lovely fruit, this wine has complex characters of roasted nuts and minerality that carries through its long finish. This full bodied wine has nice acidity to keep it in balance and makes a nice complement to most seafood, poultry and pasta with lighter sauces, and makes and excellent pairing with mushrooms (especially chanterelles and morels).

Last Updated: 6/28/2012