Message from the Wine Committee Yes, Annandale has a Wine Committee! And in our inaugural message this month, those of us on the Committee, including Curt Gilliland and Adam Sanchez, would like to share with you our excitement about, and commitment to, the future of our Club’s wine program. Our mission is simple: to provide Annandale with an exemplary wine program that extends well beyond the bottle to include events and education. We are passionate about finding unique ways to bring more enjoyment to our Membership, whether it be in the form of a quiet sip from a new bottle we’ve introduced to the wine list, or a chance to raise a glass with good friends both old and new. As Hemingway once said, “Wine and friends are a great blend,” and we couldn’t agree more. We’d also like to take this opportunity to share some of the achievements we’ve already made as we continually strive to raise the quality of our wine program. During the Club’s COVID closure, we were able to install a new racking system in our Wine Cellar. This system makes greater use of our existing space while allowing our Wine Steward, Adam, to more easily sort and manage our bottles. It has already made a huge difference in the daily operation of our Club, and we couldn’t have accomplished it without the assistance of the House Committee and Gordon Penharlow. Thank you to everyone who helped make this wonderful addition possible! But we don’t only offer wine to be enjoyed at the Club! One tremendous benefit of Annandale’s wine program is that we try to set our bottle pricing so that it rivals – or often beats – retail pricing found outside the Club. While this advantage is already enjoyed by every Member, we routinely find that people are unaware of it, and we think it’s too great of a perk to fly under the radar. So the next time you’re looking to purchase wine for home, look to Annandale first. And speaking of our wine list, we are currently revamping it for the Fall. Look for exciting additions that will bolster several sections, including bottles from noted California producers, as well as other paragons from all over the world. We can’t wait to introduce you to some new international favorites, though there’s always room at the table for old familiar friends! Cheers, Jay Dick, Karl Curran and John Chisholm
Wine Committee Special Selection: Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé One of the world’s truly great sparkling Rosés. Billecart-Salmon is 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Meunier. But it gets its color and rosé flavor from 8% red wine. This red wine is almost exclusively sourced from Billecart’s own village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, from massal-selected Pinot Noir plots that are 60– 80 years old. It is this red wine that makes the Billecart Rosé so special, while also limiting its supply. It is an elegant, restrained, dry and delicate Rosé… a truly luxurious special occasion wine, specially priced at Annandale to be enjoyed more often! $85
The Steward’s Spotlight While recently dining at the Club, you may have noticed our Wine Table, an ever-changing selection of bottles specially chosen with the season’s menu in mind. Sometimes the offerings will be from our list, but often, they are unique selections brought in just for the Table, and during dinner service, all are available by the glass or the bottle. The Table is a fun way to explore new and exciting wines, so please stop by and our Wine Steward will be happy to make a recommendation. Of course, our entire wine list is also available nightly, and our Steward is always on hand to bring your requested bottle up from the Cellar! This Month’s Featured Wines: Peter Michael “La Carriere” Chardonnay Peter Michael is a legend in the field. This particular expression was given 96 points by Robert Parker and is an outstanding display of why so many consider Sonoma’s Knights Valley the perfect terroir for American-style Chardonnay. Delicate notes of fresh green apples, white peaches and preserved lemons give way to hints of chalk dust, orange blossoms and coriander seed. A treat for the palate, made by a master… indeed, it is easy to taste why Sir Peter Michael was knighted! $114 The Mascot by Harlan Estates Made by Will Harlan from the younger vines of three winegrowing endeavors in the Napa Valley – Promontory, BOND, and Harlan Estate – the Mascot is a cabernet that proves the whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. Assembled into a single, youthful expression, this wine shares a glimpse into the evolution and pedigree of its parent estates. It features overtones of blackberry and plum, along with black licorice, and top notes of white pepper and mocha. With only 3,200 cases released, this is a wine in high demand, and we are thrilled to have the ’15 and ’16 vintages currently available for our Members! $145