Bending Branch Wine Clubs: December 2020 Release

Club Release DECEMBER 2020

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Inside Message fr om Dr. Bob Young ... page 3 1840 Custom Case Club selections ... page 4 Magnum bottling ... page 5 Br anch and 1840 Clubs ... page 6 Best of Her d ... page 7 Wine tasting notes ... pages 9, 11, 14, 15

Images by Stella Haus Films p ag e 2

Mer r y and Br ig ht Wine club member s are the hear t of our business, and we would not be as successful without your suppor t. Thank you for weather ing this year with us and for inspir ing our incredible team to find new ways to connect. We have lear ned so much this year that we plan to build upon in 2021.

We're ver y pleased to release stellar new wines in the December club packages.

Three of the wines were produced from gr apes grown at Newsom Vineyards in the Texas High Plains: 2017 Malbec, 2017 Petitie Sir ah, and 2017 Tannat. The Petite Sir ah was awarded Double Gold and the Malbec was awarded Gold at the 12th Annual San Antonio Stock Show and

Rodeo Wine Competition, where Bending Br anch was awarded Best of Herd Texas Winer y.

Other new releases include 2019 Comfor tage, a Roussanne and Mar sanne blend, and one of my favor ites, the 2016 Petite Sir ah Reser ve, Shell Creek Vineyards. We hope you enjoy these new wines as much as we do.

On behalf of my wife Brenda, our daughter Alison, and the entire Bending Br anch Winer y team, we wish you a safe and joyful holiday season. May 2021 be mer r ier and br ighter. ? Robert W. Young, M.D., MPH Founder and Winemaker p ag e 3

184 0 CUSTOM CASE

Bending Br anch Br ut Califor nia

New! 2017 Tannat Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2019 Comfor tage Reddy Vineyards, Texas High Plains

2017 Tannat CM Tallent Vineyards, Texas Hill Countr y

2017 Caber net Sauvignon Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

2016 Tannat RF|EM Bella Collina Vineyards, Paso Robles

2016 Char bono Zentner Vineyards, Sier r a Foothills

New! 2016 Petite Sir ah Reser ve Shell Creek Vineyards, Paso Robles

Chloe CuvĂŠe Califor nia

New! 2017 Petite Sir ah Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2017 Malbec Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

Exclusive Mag num Bott ling For the fir st time, Bending Br anch bottled lar ge for mats of one of its premium wines, the 2017 Petite Sir ah, Newsom Vineyards. When tasting wines from the bar rels in 2019, it was clear that this wine was special. Plans were made to bottle magnums for this wine, and to package enough to offer each 1840 Custom Case Club member the oppor tunity to add one magnum bottle to their club release. p ag e 4

Bend ing Branch W iner y's Prem iere Mag num 20 17 Pet ite Sirah, New som Vineyard s The shape and color of a wine bottle are often associated with a specific region or wine style such as Bur gundy or Bordeaux. There are antique styles, tr aditional styles, and flashy shapes dr iven by moder n wine marketing. The weight of wine bottles also var ies broadly from simple glass to high- tech, ultr aviolet resistant glass with a deep punt and thickness that results in heft intended to imply prestige.

In addition to the standard 750 milliliter wine bottle, there are a couple dozen recognized bottle sizes, though few of them are in common usage. Small sizes such as the ?split? and the half- bottle are useful in the consumer market. The magnum, equal to two standard bottles, is the most popular lar ge- for mat bottle, making an impressive presentation.

Lar ger, ceremonial- size bottles, often named for Biblical kings and histor ical figures, include a r ange that tops out with the colossal 30- liter Melchizedek.

slight evapor ation of wine through the cork, cause the gr adual oxidation that helps a wine mature over time. A magnum contains twice the volume of wine, so the effect of air on the wine is reduced by half, slowing the aging process, and potentially revealing subtle nuances that may develop in the wine over longer aging. If you have the patience, aging a magnum can be rewarding, but you?ll find the Bending Br anch Winer y 2017 Petite Sir ah, Newsom Vineyards, is delicious in any size. ? Bill Fore, Hospitality and Education

Aside from the fun of having a Texas- size bottle on the dinner table, there are a couple of impor tant things to know about a magnum. The air tr apped between the cork and the wine, and the p ag e 5

BRANCH MIXED

Bending Br anch Br ut Califor nia

BRANCH RED

New! 2017 Malbec Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2017 Petite Sir ah Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2017 Petite Sir ah Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2017 Tannat Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2017 Tannat Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

184 0 MIXED

184 0 RED

Bending Br anch Br ut Califor nia

2016 Char bono Zentner Vineyards, Sier r a Foothills

New! 2019 Comfor tage Reddy Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2017 Malbec Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

2016 Char bono Zentner Vineyards, Sier r a Foothills

New! 2017 Malbec Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2017 Malbec Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2017 Petite Sir ah Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2016 Petite Sir ah Reser ve Shell Creek Vineyards, Paso Robles

New! 2017 Tannat Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

New! 2017 Tannat Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains

2016 Tannat RF|EM Bella Collina Vineyards, Paso Robles p ag e 6

percentage of wines receiving the highest number of awards within their total number of entr ies.

Bending Br anch Winer y was awarded BEST OF HERD TEXAS WINERY at the 12th Annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition held October 5- 7, 2020. The competition featured more than 1,000 wines from across the United States and around the world.

- Best of Herd Texas Winery Bending Br anch Winer y - Double Gold 2017 Petite Sir ah, Newsom Vineyards - Top of Class / Gold 2017 Tempr anillo, Newsom Vineyards - Gold 2017 Caber net Sauvignon, Newsom Vineyards - Gold 2017 Malbec, Newsom Vineyards - Gold 2017 Tannat CM, Tallent Vineyards Best of Herd is awarded to the Texas winer y which has the greatest

Winer ies selected as Top 14 Champion Wines including Gr and Champion, Reser ve Champion, Best of Herd, Top All Around Winer y, Best of Show, Top of Class and Double Gold were featured dur ing the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Vir tual Super Auction held November 9- 15, 2020. The auction funds suppor t the Show?s goals of benefiting Texas youth. To date, more than $223 million has been committed to education. This year, more than 21,275 students have been educationally impacted. Proceeds from the Wine Events benefit the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Scholar ship Fund with a por tion for the advancement of viticulture.

The Champion winning wines will also be showcased in the Wine Cellar, sponsored by H- E- B, on the rodeo grounds dur ing the 72nd Annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo to be held Febr uar y 11- 28, 2021. The H- E- B Wine Depar tment is committed to suppor ting the competition and will feature the Champion wines in their San Antonio stores throughout the month of March 2021. The wines also will be recognized in the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo local media publications and website. ? Sara Potter, Executive Marketing Coordinator p ag e 7

Celeb rate t he season p ag e 8

20 19 BENDING BRANCH BRUT

20 19 COMFORTAGE REDDY VINEYARDS

20 17 CABERNET SAUVIGNON,

CALIFORNIA

TEXAS HIGH PLAINS AVA

NEW SOM VINEYARDS TEXAS HIGH PLAINS AVA

SENSE

SENSE

SENSE

GOLDEN DELICIOUS APPLE, CREAMY mousse, cr isp and dr y, ZESTY MEYER LEMON, toasted br ioche

DRIED APRICOT, MINERAL, pear skin, ALMOND, bitter or ange mar malade, thyme

war m herbs, VANILLA, red cur r ant, POWERFUL BLACK PLUM, leather, copper, FIG preser ves, CINNAMON, cr acked black pepper

EAT

EAT

EAT

FISH AND CHIPS, SMOKED SALMON with cream cheese and chives on toast, FILLET OF SOLE with or ange beur re blanc, ROAST CHICKEN sandwich with basil mayonnaise

green CURRIED SHRIMP, fettuccine carbonar a, BLACK OLIVES, r ipe Camember t with SESAME CRACKERS, roasted turkey, WILD MUSHROOM POLENTA, Indian butter chicken

cr isp- seared DUCK BREAST, gr illed Por tobello mushroom with ROSEMARY vinaigrette, Gr uyère toast, NEW YORK STRIP STEAK with Roquefor t butter, barbecued quail, r atatouille

Retail $36 Branch Club $30.60 1840 Clubs $28.80

Retail $28 Branch Clubs $23.80 1840 Clubs $22.40

Retail $50 Branch Clubs $42.50 1840 Clubs $40

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St uff t he st ocking s p ag e 10

20 16 CHARBONO

CHLOE CUVÉE

20 17 MALBEC

ZENTNER VINEYARDS SIERRA FOOTHILLS AVA

CALIFORNIA

NEW SOM VINEYARDS TEXAS HIGH PLAINS AVA

SENSE

SENSE

SENSE

r ipe red ber r ies, FRUITCAKE, pipe tobacco, TART CHERRY, blueber r y, blackber r y

BLACK CURRANT jam, r ipe black cher r y, cassis, COLA, EARL GREY tea, leather, BLUEBERRY, cocoa, anise

TOASTED COCONUT and vanilla, RASPBERRY, war m bitter sweet chocolate, ANISE, DRY TOBACCO, chewy tannins

EAT

EAT

EAT

fennel- seed ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES, spaghetti MARINARA with Pecor ino, TURKEY with cor nbread dressing, tomatoes with FETA and par sley, TUNA MELT sandwich

BEEF BOURGUIGNON, minty lamb bur ger s, duck PÂTÉ, Stilton cheese, SMOKED double pork chop with coar se MUSTARD

r aclette, CUMIN and garlic pork stew, LAMB BURGER with roasted mushrooms, Italian club sandwich, HANGER STEAK with fr ied shallots, roasted red pepper s with ROSEMARY and provolone

Retail $50 Branch Clubs $42.50 1840 Clubs $40

Retail $75 Branch Clubs $63.75 1840 Clubs $60

Retail $45 Branch Club $38.25 1840 Clubs $36 p ag e 11

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Leave som et hing special for Santa p ag e 13

20 17 TANNAT

20 17 TANNAT CM

20 16 TANNAT RF|EM

NEW SOM VINEYARDS TEXAS HIGH PLAINS AVA

TALLENT VINEYARDS TEXAS HILL COUNTRY AVA

BELLA COLLINA VINEYARDS PASO ROBLES AVA

SENSE

SENSE

SENSE

cola, ear thy COCOA, vanilla, dark chocolate- covered BLACK CHERRY, white pepper, CHEWY tannins, PIPE TOBACCO, sun- dr ied tomato, cardamom

delicate VANILLA, dark- chocolate or ange, BLACK CHERRY COLA, nutmeg, roasted COFFEE beans

PLUM JAM edged with Key lime and violet, COLA, silky sour CHERRY, smoky TOFFEE, spear mint

EAT

EAT

EAT

Comfor t Pizza?s macaroni and smoked Gouda, ?Ivan the Great,?

BACON- WRAPPED PRUNES, SWORDFISH CAPONATA, venison br aised in Tannat, Ger man- spiced CURRY- ROASTED BEEF- AND- PORK CARROTS, SAUSAGES, aged Gouda beets with mint and balsamic with mustard pretzels, vinegar, PANCETTA AND TANNAT- BRAISED PARMESAN BRUSSELS SHORT RIBS SPROUTS Retail $50 Branch Club $42.50 1840 Clubs $40

Retail $55 Branch Clubs $46.75 1840 Clubs $44

POT ROAST, toasted FONTINA sandwich, WILD MUSHROOM r isotto, pan- fr ied quail, ossobuco gremolata, FIVE- SPICE butter nut squash, gr illed BROCCOLI RABE with buttered fettucine Retail $55 Branch Clubs $46.75 1840 Clubs $44 p ag e 14

Reser ve Label The ter m ?reser ve? on a wine label has no legal definition, leading to many different inter pretations. The gener al implication is usually smaller quantity and higher quality. For instance, a few bar rels out of an entire lot sometimes evolve differently as they age, developing unique char acter that may mer it longer aging and a special bottling.

A reser ve label may also indicate the product of a super ior vineyard, or even a small section of a lar ger vineyard, which produces exceptional fr uit. That fr uit will be har vested at its peak, apar t from the sur rounding vines, and given special treatment in the winer y. Select oak bar rels par ticularly suited to the gr ape var iety and style of the wine may also be used, as well as extended aging.

20 16 PETITE SIRAH RESERVE SHELL CREEK VINEYARDS PASO ROBLES AVA

20 17 PETITE SIRAH, NEW SOM VINEYARDS TEXAS HIGH PLAINS AVA

SENSE

SENSE

SPICY French oak, toasted GREEN TEA, concentr ated blueber r y, BLACKBERRY COMPOTE, war m vanilla, CINNAMON COOKIES, white pepper

DRIED STRAWBERRY, sour cher r y, COFFEE, rose petal, BLACK CURRANT, licor ice, dark car amel

EAT

EAT

AGED GOUDA, slow- roasted porchetta, BEEF TENDERLOIN, red wine venison chili, lamb chops SMOKED SAUSAGES, with or ange- olive RELISH, A reser ve bottling of a wine countr y style PÂTÉ, GRILLED EGGPLANT may not be produced in ever y chévre roasted with caper s and fresh oregano, vintage, but only when nature red pepper s, hickor y smoked conspires to create something MUSHROOM LASAGNA TEXAS BRISKET ver y special. Thoughtful winemaker s employ the Retail $38 Retail $75 designation judiciously, Branch Clubs $32.30 Branch Clubs $63.75 assur ing that any bottle 1840 Clubs $30.40 1840 Clubs $60 bear ing it is a ver y distinctive exper ience. p ag e 15

Hap py New Year !

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