Click the link to read about this month’s club!

Château La Fleur de Gay Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal 92% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc

Location Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2048

Tasting notes:

The 2019 Château La Fleur de Gay is a beautifully layered and sophisticated Pomerol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with expressive aromas of black plum, blackberry compote, black cherry, and cassis, intertwined with notes of violets, dark chocolate, cedar, graphite, and exotic spice. The palate is rich and concentrated yet remarkably refined, offering velvety tannins and impressive precision. Waves of dark fruit unfold alongside hints of espresso, licorice, crushed stone, and subtle floral nuances. Despite its power, the wine remains elegant and balanced, finishing with extraordinary length and a mineral-driven persistence that speaks to its exceptional terroir. This is a serious Right Bank Bordeaux built for both immediate enjoyment with decanting and long-term cellaring.

The outstanding 2019 Bordeaux vintage produced wines with exceptional concentration, balance, and aging potential. Château La Fleur de Gay possesses the structure, depth, and acidity to evolve gracefully for decades. Over time, its youthful fruit will develop into more complex notes of truffle, cigar box, forest floor, leather, and savory spice while retaining remarkable freshness.

Food pairings!

This wine deserves equally impressive cuisine. Pair it with beef tenderloin, dry-aged ribeye, rack of lamb, venison, duck breast, or braised short ribs. The wine’s richness and structure also complement earthy ingredients such as wild mushrooms, black truffles, and lentils. For cheese pairings, look to aged Comté, Gruyère, Mimolette, or well-aged Gouda. As the wine matures, it becomes particularly magical with classic French preparations featuring mushrooms, reduction sauces, and slow-braised meats. Its combination of elegance and power makes it an exceptional choice for holiday dinners and special occasions.

From Them to You!

Château La Fleur de Gay is one of Pomerol’s historic estates, with roots stretching back several centuries. Owned by the Raynaud-Lebreton family, whose winemaking history in Pomerol dates to the fifteenth century, the château is composed of several exceptional vineyard parcels situated on some of the appellation’s most prized terroirs. The estate focuses primarily on Merlot, which thrives in Pomerol’s famous clay-rich soils. Modern vineyard management and careful cellar practices are combined with a deep respect for tradition, producing wines that consistently showcase the opulence, elegance, and longevity that have made Pomerol one of Bordeaux’s most revered appellations. Today, Château La Fleur de Gay is recognized as one of the notable boutique estates of Pomerol, crafting wines that rival many of the region’s more famous neighbors while maintaining a distinct sense of place and identity.

Stift Klosterneuburg Wiener Gemischter Satz 2023

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal Wiener Gemischter Satz is a traditional Austrian field blend, meaning multiple grape varieties are planted, harvested, and fermented together: Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, Riesling, Weissburgunder, Chardonnay Gewürztraminer and Muskateller.

Location Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC, Vienna Austria

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2031

Tasting notes:

The 2023 Wiener Gemischter Satz is a wonderfully expressive example of Vienna’s signature wine style. Aromas of green apple, pear, white peach, citrus blossom, and fresh herbs rise from the glass, accompanied by subtle hints of white pepper, wildflowers, and wet stone. The palate is lively and energetic, balancing crisp acidity with a rounded texture that comes from the diversity of grape varieties in the blend. Flavors of citrus, orchard fruit, and melon mingle with mineral notes and a delicate spice character. The finish is clean, refreshing, and remarkably layered, showcasing both the freshness and complexity that have made Gemischter Satz one of Austria’s most celebrated wine styles.

What makes Gemischter Satz unique is that it is one of the world’s oldest and most traditional field-blend wine styles.

Unlike most wines, where different grape varieties are grown separately and blended after fermentation, Gemischter Satz requires that multiple grape varieties be planted together in the same vineyard, harvested at the same time, and fermented together. The grapes are effectively blended from the moment they grow on the vine.

Food pairings!

This is an exceptionally versatile food wine and one of the great table wines of Europe. Pair it with Wiener Schnitzel, roast chicken, grilled trout, freshwater fish, shellfish, or pork dishes. Its bright acidity and subtle spice also make it a wonderful companion to Asian cuisine, particularly dishes featuring ginger, lemongrass, and fresh herbs. Vegetarian dishes such as asparagus, spring vegetables, mushroom tart, or herb risotto are equally successful pairings. For a classic Viennese experience, serve it alongside schnitzel with potato salad or a selection of Austrian cheeses and charcuterie.

From Them to You!

Stift Klosterneuburg is one of the oldest and most important wine estates in Europe, with a winemaking history dating back to 1114. Founded by Margrave Leopold III, the monastery sits just north of Vienna and has played a central role in Austrian viticulture for more than 900 years. Today, the estate manages hundreds of acres of vineyards across some of Austria’s most prestigious wine regions and is widely respected for its commitment to quality, research, and preservation of traditional Austrian grape varieties. Stift Klosterneuburg has been a pioneer in modern Austrian winemaking while maintaining deep ties to its monastic heritage. Its Wiener Gemischter Satz bottling celebrates one of Vienna’s oldest wine traditions, preserving the historic practice of co-planting and co-fermenting multiple grape varieties to create wines of balance, complexity, and remarkable food-friendliness.