Lewis Cellars Wine Dinner at Michael Mina 74 in the Fountainebleau

If there are wines you have never tried before, please consult your waiter and let us encourage you to be adventurous. You’ll find it rewarding–and we will never make you pay for a wine you do not like.”

- From the menu of Campanile, Los Angeles.

And we offer the same guarantee, if you attend one of our 100+ wine events this year and do not enjoy it thoroughly we will not make you pay! 

With the line-up of events that we have this week my only worry is the Zinfandel Tasting, but I don’t recommend that you come to this unless you like zinfandel.  This year we have thrown in Petit Sirah to make it better.

For some reason we still have room at all of our events this week!! We have the Winemaker for Domaine Ott at Cafe Maxx on Thursday, a vintage Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Tasting at Cafe Maxx on Friday and then Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau D'Yquem on Saturday night at the Edge Steak and Bar in the Four Seasons Hotel on Brickell.  That’s a pretty good week!!

This is an amazing week of tastings this week but we have another equally amazing week next week and we start it out on Tuesday with one of my favorite producers from California- Lewis Cellars at Michael Mina 74 in the Fountainbleau Hotel on South Beach.

On Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at Michael Mina 74, dinner combines a decadent five course menu prepared by chef de cuisine Thomas Griese with wines hand-selected and presented by Dennis Bell, General Manager for the prestigious Lewis Cellars Winery.

The event will begin at 7:30 PM in the restaurant’s private dining room. Seating is limited, and priced at $225++ per person excluding tax and service charge.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling 877.326.7412 or visit  fontainebleau.com/cellar1954 - See more at: http://www.fontainebleau.com/web/specials/cellar_1954#sthash.tRbRh45P.dpuf

Lewis Cellars wine Dinner at Michael Mina 74 at the Fountainebleau
with Special Guest Dennis Bell
Tuesday, October 21st
7:30pm

Menu

SMOKED ARTIC CHAR ROYALE
Black Garlic, Sunchoke Croquant, Osetra Caviar

Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Napa 2013
Price: $54.00       Sale $47.52          Case $551

The bountiful yields of 2013 had tons of character too, as seen in our superb Napa Valley Chardonnay. Creamy pear, lime and caramel apple fruit basks in brioche, clove and sweet mineral spices. Loads of tree-ripened fruit form a dense, silky core rooted in natural acidity that gives the wine balance and sound structure. Flecks of gun metal, flint and whetstone add complexity to the long leesy finish. 2,200 cases produced.

LOBSTER GRATIN
Roasted Bone Marrow, Duchess Potatoes, Shellfish Nage

Lewis Cellars Alec’s Blend 2012
Price: $67.25       Sale $59.18          Case $686

One of our best bottlings ever, the 2012 Alec's Blend carries the casual confidence of a 17-year old. Deliciously complex, this blend of 79% Syrah, 13% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot is also hugely hedonistic. Layers of lifted ripe blackberry, black cherry, cola, malt chocolate, Heath bar and bramble never quit. There's great acid and structure here too with a balanced arc of tannin and toasted cherry wood spice. 1200 cases produced.

RISOTTO ROUGE
Braised Radicchio, Aged Fontina, Long Peppercorn Cru Madura

Lewis Cellars Ethan’s Syrah 2012
Price: $49.50       Sale $43.56          Case $505

After two years on the bench, Ethan's Syrah is back in the line-up with the superlative 2012 vintage. Like a switch hitter, this wine shows Rhone character both North and South. Ripe plum, violet nectar and vanilla, plus pencil lead, loam and crushed flowers. Pure fruit on entry is lithe and athletic picking up power and lean muscle that plays seamlessly to a long clean finish.400 cases produced.

DUCK MAGRET DE CANARD
Matsutake Daube, Celeria Purée, Red Currant

Lewis Cellars Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Price: $67.25       Sale $59.18          Case $686

Our youngest was a star closing pitcher this season and his 2012 Mason's Cabernet is a major league winner. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon shows lots of opulent ollalieberry fruit with Mexican chocolate and toasty oak spice. Creamy, soft-skinned fruit radiates youth yet there is supple tannin and muscle tone too. Like a kid's easy smile, this Mason's Cabernet is pure joy. 1000 cases produced.

WAGYU A4 FILET MIGNON
Truffled Purée, Foie Gras, Rossini Jus

Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2012
Price: $98.00       Sale $86.24          Case $1000

The 2012 ranks among our best bottlings of Napa Cabernet. Enticing, deep-fruited aromas of black currant, berry and chocolate are stippled with cedar, clove and cinnamon oak spices. The palate centers on opulent core fruit that swirls around a defined structure of supple tannins. With complex undertones of truffle, black pepper and briar, this interplay finally winds down to a long chocolaty finish. 1,800 cases produced.

Lewis Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum Napa 2005
NA

(93 Points) Firm, rich and chewy, this is tight, concentrated and focused, with a layered, complex mix of loamy currant, cedary oak, sage and wild berry, gaining depth and length on the finish, where the flavors are deep and persistent. Best from 2009 through 2015. 2,200 cases made. –JL  Wine Spectator, Issue: Jun 30, 2008

Seating is limited, and priced at $225++ per person excluding tax and service charge.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling 877.326.7412 or visit  fontainebleau.com/cellar1954 - See more at: http://www.fontainebleau.com/web/specials/cellar_1954#sthash.tRbRh45P.dpuf

A bit about Lewis Cellars:

Their story one of the most interesting in the wine business and one of the most unique because Randy and Debbie do not own a single grapevine and they have managed to produced consistently excellent wine for over 20 years!  And we have been on the Lewis bandwagon since day one.

I remember the first time I met Randy and Debbie, they stopped by Café Maxx to say hello and introduce me to their Oakville Ranch wines as I was setting up the bar.  I was probably a bit rushed that evening as I looked at my watch and asked, "Do you have an appointment?"  They added me to their Christmas card list that year and continued to come back every year to visit with me and taste the current releases.

Randy also liked to challenge himself by ordering a glass of each wine that we were serving “by the glass” and then say- "don't tell me which one is which, I want to see if I can figure it out."  The thing that impressed me the most was not that Randy would pick out each wine correctly it was that he could drink the entire glass of each wine after his blind tasting was over.

After only a few visits we had everything on our wine list from Oakville Ranch Winery and then shortly after that Randy and Debbie formed the Lewis Cellars label. 

We have watched the Lewis's grow and grow as they went through the valley's top vineyard sites to find fruit and contract the services of some top name consultants like; Joe Cafaro, Helen Turley and Paul Hobbs.  Today, they are making some of the best wines coming from Napa and Sonoma with each varietal being at the top level of quality at any price range. 

That reminds me of my Lewis Syrah “bring your best bottle of syrah” story.  The Wine Wizards, a local wine tasting group, invited me to their "bring your best bottle of Syrah tasting" and the winner does not have to pay for dinner event.

Several of the contestants stopped by the store to buy bottles for the dinner.  I immediately lead them over to the 2008 Lewis Syrah Napa.  Every one of them asked me if I had "anything better".  Lewis Syrah is not cheap, it costs around $80 per bottle, so I knew they really meant "more expensive”. 

In the end I was glad that no one picked the Lewis Syrah as I brought it myself and guess who ended up with a free dinner that night? 

Other Lewis wines available:

2008 Lewis Cuvee L Napa
Price: $247.00    Your Price: $217.36
Quantity in Stock: 3

Saturated with ripe black fruit, deeply colored and powerfully aromatic, the 2008 Cuvee L reaches a level beyond any of our other wines. 98% Cabernet Sauvignon plus 2% Petit Verdot this blend is full-on blackberry, delicious and dense, with sweet dark chocolate, creamy oak, clove spice and espresso. A fine thread of mineral, earth and acidity brings complexity and structure to the wine, developing muscle and length from fine-grained tannins. 100 cases produced

2011 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve MAGNUM
Price: $292.50    Sale $257.40

2011 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Price: $145.50    Sale $128.04

Winery Notes:   Scarce in quantity our 2011 Reserve Cabernet delivers plenty of complex aromas and lots of classic character. Sourced from a small collection of hillside and benchland vineyards in Calistoga, Oak Knoll and Rutherford, the wine centers around ripe currant and blue-black fruits threaded with tobacco leaf, nutmeg, baking spices and sweet toasty oak. Elegant and supple at first sip the wine gains focus, finishing with fine structure.

2011 Lewis Merlot Napa
Price: $82.25    Your Price: $72.38

Cabernet may be king but a little Merlot can be a guilty pleasure! Redolent ripe fruits are fleshy, loose-knitted and provocative. An invisible cloud of Tahitian vanilla, clove and cocoa spice swirls from the glass. The first sip reveals sensuous sweet berry flavors that yield to a surprisingly athletic frame of svelte tannins and natural acidity. The second sip?75 cases produced.

2011 Lewis Cellars Alec's Blend Syrah
Price: $67.00       Sale $58.96          Case $684

Super D downhill trail racing is Alec's latest sport and this year's blend of 61% Syrah, 33% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon will get your wheels spinning. Kirsch-like boysenberry and ripe cherry fruits are studded like knobs on a 2.4" mud tire with sweet vanilla, cinnamon clove and oak spice, graphite and bramble. The palate is plush as a coil-over shock but supple tannin and native acidity provides lock-out power for that final push to the finish.900 cases produced.

2012 Lewis Cellars Reserve Chardonnay Napa
Price: $80.00       Sale $70.40          Case $816

Reflecting optimal weather throughout the 2012 growing season and harvest, our Reserve Chardonnay is outstanding. Complex, seamless and complete, the wine opens with sweet stone mineral, alluring Anjou pear, brioche and toasty-flinty oak spices. Fabulous silky texture is followed by rich fruit and lees flavors buttressed with brilliant native acidity. There is power and delicious tension in this balanced interplay of fruit and framework that goes on to a spectacularly long finish. 550 cases produced.

2012 Lewis Cellars Barcaglia Lane Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Price: $80.00       Sale $70.40          Case $816

Yields were up from the excellent 2012 vintage giving us a dozen-plus barrels of opulent Barcaglia Lane Chardonnay. Sourced from a unique Dutton Ranch vineyard planted with 3 different clones for us in 1998, this wine is a blockbuster. Copious amounts of ripe citrus, melon and yellow peach fruit bask in spicy, tropical-floral aromas with a lick of butterscotch and honey. Lots of weight on this plush and super-silky palate punctuated with bright native acidity and finishing with tangerine and toasty oak. 400 cases produced.

2013 Lewis Chardonnay Russian River Sonoma
Price: $54.00       Sale $47.52          Case $551

Another golden year for this nearly 40-year old vineyard which continues to yield wines of complexity, weight and balance. Sweetly fragrant with lemon crème brulee, orange blossom, gardenia and tons of tangerine our 2013 Sonoma Chardonnay has plenty of heft and a youthful, exuberant character. Vibrant ripe citrus fruits are threaded with toasty oak spice and native acidity that elevates the palate and drives flavors to a lengthy, mouthwatering finish. 1,600 cases produced.

2012 Lewis Race Car White Chardonnay Sonoma
Price: $37.00       Sale $32.56          Case $378

Race Car White is back on the track and it's a winner! Sourced from an exciting new block of Dutton Ranch grapes the 2012 packs high-octane fruit with a polished smooth chassis that smokes the competition. Take the wheel and enjoy the ride.500 cases produced.

2013 Lewis Vin Gris Syrah Rose
Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76          Case $276

Floral ripe strawberry, fragrant yellow peach and subtle minerality combine deliciously in this refreshing young wine. Fermented and aged three months in neutral French oak and stainless steel, sweet, mouth-filling strawberry fruit turns succulent and lively with a hint of pomegranate and oak spice en route to a long, fresh finish. 150 cases produced.

A bit more about Lewis Cellars:

Lewis Cellars is an offspring of Oakville Ranch Vineyards, which burst on the scene as one of Napa Valley's most exciting new wineries of the late 1980's.  It all began when Bob Miner (the founder of the highly successful Oracle computer software company) and his wife Mary bought Oakville Ranch in 1989.  Longtime friends, Randy and Debbie Lewis, were brought in as limited partners to launch and manage the brand.  Lewis has a background unique among vintners in the Napa Valley.  From 1970 to 1991, Lewis drove all sorts of race cars and raced in five Indianapolis 500 runs, where he once finished 14th.  Debbie, his wife since 1985, is a former wine retailer - she once managed the London Wine Bar in San Francisco and also helped Lewis' race-car career by working with sponsors.  Lewis admitted that winding up in the wine business is an unusual turn of events for a guy who has competed with the best from Monte Carlo to Laguna Seca.  Born and raised in Atlanta Ga., Lewis came from a family of doctors.  Lewis got his bachelor of science degree at San Jose State and then received his master's degree in business administration at UC Berkeley in 1970.  "I always wanted to race cars but my family wouldn't let me," he admitted. "By the time I had just about finished college I figured it was an opportunity for me to do what I wanted.  I didn't start racing until '69 - I was a late bloomer. But then I couldn't get enough of it, so I started racing full-time."  With an advance from a professional team, Lewis took off for Europe in the winter of 1970.  "My first race was in Monte Carlo," he said. "I was a bit nervous as there were 125 drivers for 24 slots.  Nevertheless, I did all right. I finished 12th."  Lewis spent three years in Europe.  It was there that he got a bit of education - not only on the track, but in the European lifestyle as well.  He learned a great deal about wine and developed a palate for a wide variety of varietals and winemaking styles.  "For 23 years I had a great career. But now I can't think of anything I'd rather do," said Lewis.

After the winery was formed, Lewis and Miner decided to go looking for a winemaker. They turned to one of the best in the business - Joe Cafaro.  Cafaro was the founding winemaker at Keenan and later worked at Acacia.  Since 1985, he has served as consultant to the Jaeger Family Winery, Dalla Valle Vineyards, and Robert Sinskey Vineyards.  He is also the founder of Cafaro Cellars, noted for fabulous Merlots and Cabernets.  At Oakville Ranch Cafaro practices minimal winemaking intervention and utilizes lots of new French oak barrels to produce a singularly unique Napa Valley hillside Cabernet.  From the outset Oakville Ranch Vineyards was a Cabernet star - its debut was one of the best wines produced in the Napa Valley in the very difficult 1989 vintage.  The 1990 Cabernet was broad, rich, lush, and complex - ample evidence that great wines can and would be produced at Oakville Ranch.  The 1991 vintage, however, heralded the true arrival of Oakville Ranch as a Cabernet superstar.  The winery produced three Cabernets in that vintage: a regular bottling, a Reserve, and a Lewis Select.  The latter was a really special wine and a significant notch up from the other two Oakville Ranch Cabernets - it was easily one of the top stars of the 1991 vintage.  Although only 450 cases were produced, it garnered significant attention for Randy and Debbie Lewis.  The Lewis Select was their own personal statement as vintners and set the stage for the Lewis’s to break away on their own venture.

Within a year after the release of the first Lewis Select Cabernet under the Oakville Ranch label, Randy and Debbie's tenure came to an end.  In November of 1994, their business partner, Bob Miner, lost his battle with cancer.  Shortly thereafter the Miner family decided to resume full control of the property.  Randy and Debbie had accomplished their objective of piloting the Oakville Ranch brand to 4,500 cases and achieving almost overnight recognition for Oakville Ranch among connoisseurs of Napa Valley wines.  Bob Miner's nephew Dave assumed management responsibilities; and Randy & Debbie Lewis decided to form their own brand utilizing Oakville Ranch fruit.  A long term contract with the Miner family guaranteed the Lewis’s as much as half of the grapes from Oakville Ranch, thus ensuring them a high quality source of fruit for the foreseeable future.  Although the picture is still somewhat muddled, the final split between the Miners and the Lewis’s may not have been completely amicable.  Firstly, Randy and Debbie have earnestly been combing the Napa Valley for new vineyard sources that will make them less dependent on Oakville Ranch.  Secondly, though they continued to utilize the services of winemaker Cafaro (who was still making the wine for Oakville Ranch), within eighteen months of the launch of Lewis Cellars, Joe Cafaro was gone.  In his place arrived the leading winemaker in the entire state of California, the inimitable Helen Turley.  Although Turley had responsibility for the 1994 Lewis Cabernet and the 1995 Lewis Chardonnay, her relationship with the Lewis’s was short-lived.  In early 1997 Lewis Cellars hired another superstar winemaker, Paul Hobbs.  Hobbs has his own very successful and consults for a number of other properties both in California and South America.

The winery is always adding something new to the line-up like the Syrah rose and reserve Sauvignon Blanc that were added this year.  The wines that are released to the South Florida market are usually:  Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Syrah, two Sonoma Chardonnays and a Napa Chardonnay.  The Cabernet has been the star of the lineup.