Moone Tsai Wine Dinner at Wine Watch with Special Guest Larry Tsai

"Hold the bottle up to the light; you will see your dreams are always at the bottom.” ― Rob Hutchison

We have been doing serious research here at Wine Watch and have found similar results regarding the end of the bottle.  This month is all about serious research and this event came about because of my most recent trip to the Premier Napa tasting and Auction.

I met Larry Tsai at the Philippe Melka tasting conducted at the Meadowood Country Club and I was not familiar with this label.  He mentioned that he was coming to South Florida in May after tasting his wine I handed him my card and offered to help set up a tasting with our "Wine Drinking People".  I did a little research and learned about all of the people involved in this project and then it was a no-brainer to me.  I wanted to introduce these wines to our clients so we could get in on the ground floor with one of the new cult wines of Napa Valley.

Join us as we taste through the current releases from this winery along with a few older vintages sent out from the winery to show how these wines will show with a few years in your cellar.  Wine Watch Caterings' Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the wines.  The fee for this tasting is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Moone Tsai Wine Tasting at Wine Watch with Special guest Larry TsaiThursday, May 8th7pm

Moone Tsai  Chardonnay Napa Valley 2011 Price: $69.75       Sale $61.38          Case $712

Our 2011 Napa Valley Chardonnay presents an enticing nose of citrus and lightly toasted brioche. The mouth is layered with subtle notes of apricot, tangerine, butterscotch and subtle nutmeg of high quality French oak extending long into the finish. Delicate oak-framing and well-balanced acidity give the wine structure, elegance, brightness and versatility. The wines were barrel-fermented, and aged in 73% new French oak for 16 months.

Bald Mountain, a neighbor of Mount Veeder, is situated in the Mayacamas Mountains on the western border of the Napa Valley. The south-facing vineyard sits at nearly 1600 feet above sea level, and offers stunning views of both the Sonoma and Napa Valleys, as well as of Marin's Mt. Tamalpais to the south. Cool sunshine is abundant throughout the growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly while varietal character evolves completely.  Only 695 cases produced.

Moone Tsai Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2010  Price: $91.50       Sale $80.52          Case $934

Our 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of ripe dark-fruits accented by anise. The mouth is expressive with layered flavors suggesting blueberry, raspberry, and cranberry, with loamy hints of cinnamon and licorice. With 26-months of aging in fine French oak; the wines reveal a pleasing acidity, and chalky, yet sweet silky tannins that melt on the palate; leaving a satisfying finish of wild berries and earthiness.

Much of this Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Caldwell Vineyard in Coombsville, an area of southeast Napa Valley where soils are characterized by a unique blend of red volcanic soils and clay. The vineyard is planted on a gently sloping plateau, and the comparatively temperate climate of the area, versus the warmer territory up valley, serves to lengthen the growing season. The grapes are allowed to achieve full ripeness without the pressure of heat extremes common in warmer areas, and low vigor soils throughout the vineyard create small, dense clusters. With the addition of vibrant dark fruit from our preferred vineyard sources on Howell Mountain and in St. Helena, the resulting wine is opulent and evocative.  A blend of 83% Cabernet and 17% Merlot, only 1000 cases produced

Moone Tsai Howell Mountain Hillside Blend 2010 Price: $91.50       Sale $80.52          Case $934

With its beguiling blend of wild mountain fruit sourced from this legendary AVA, our 2010 Howell Mountain Hillside Blend is a striking example of power, precision and derring-do.

Richly deep and dark red in hue, the wine's aromas tease with rich red fruit and spice. The mouth, deftly presents a dramatic juxtaposition best characterized as "Marilyn Monroe meets Margaret Thatcher" at once beckoning alluringly, only to reveal a focused vigor, graced by austere elegance. Upon the palate, the wine is powerful and precise, evoking ripe black cherry, freshness, minerality, and a hint of eucalyptus. Twenty six months of aging in French oak provides the subtlety of sweet barrel spices and toast that sustain throughout the finish. This wine is undoubtedly big, and sure to evolve handsomely in the bottle over the next 5-10 years.

The grapes that made this wine were grown in an east-facing hillside Howell Mountain vineyard perched 2100 feet above the Napa Valley floor. The terraced vineyard is planted on an extreme slope, producing thick-skinned clusters capable of creating a wine with intensity, structure, elegance, and weight. Notwithstanding the curious 2010 growing season, the merlot was picked at 27 Brix, with the cabernet picked 3 weeks later at 26 Brix.  Only 446 cases produced.

Moone Tsai Cor Leonis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Price: $243.00    Sale $213.94       Case $2479

This remarkable cabernet in its especially limited production quantities, receives our Cor Leonis designation, to mark its position as the very "best of our best" wines that we produce. Transfixed by the brightest star in the constellation Leo, the Romans dubbed it Cor Leonis, the "Heart of the Lion."

Bearing an extraordinary combination of fruit from a trifecta of Napa Valley's most celebrated districts, our 2010 Cor Leonis Cabernet is the hallmark of our winemaking philosophy. The wine's nose entices with aromas of blackberry and spice. In the mouth, these give way to layers of rich, ripe black fruits that are subtly nuanced with minerality and clove. Twenty six months of aging in 90% new French oak provides elegant framing for this wine's concentration and intensity. With its seamless integration of sweet tannins, the wine is voluptuous on the palate, and delivers a sustained finish accented by cinnamon and dark chocolate.

This richly expressive wine draws its prized fruit from Oakville's heralded To Kalon Vineyard, Pritchard Hill, and Caldwell Vineyard's legendary Block-15 - whose vines have flourished in the rocky, volcanic soils of the heralded Coombsville District for over 30 years. The clone of Cabernet grown on this vineyard is prized for its complexity and depth, and the company of wines sourced from this vineyard is noteworthy.  Only 341 cases produced.

Moone Tsai Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2006 NA

The fruit for the inaugural Moone Tsai offering comes from the famed Caldwell Vineyard, which sits in the Southeastern part of the Napa Valley. Lying atop an expansive panoramic hillside at 500 feet above sea level, some of the world's best Cabernet fruit has been farmed here for decades.

After spending twenty-two months in new French oak barrels and another 10 months in the bottle, this powerful Cabernet Sauvignon presents seductive aromas of blackberry, black cherry and spice. This complex, well structured wine features intense black fruit on the palate as highly supple tannins introduce rich flavors of chocolate, tobacco anise, and spice through to a long finish offering considerable muscle and concentration.  Only 181 cases produced.

Moone Tsai Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2007 NA

Menu

Seared Ingrid Scallops with Coconut-Tangerine Sauce & Sauteed Chinese Greens

Braised Beef & Caramelized Onion Short Rib with Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce

The price for this tasting is $95+ tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

A bit about Moone-Tsai:

We are delighted to present Moone-Tsai's rare and remarkable wines, whose pedigree is rooted in an extraordinary combination of exceptional fruit, terroir, and artisanal winemaking. With a commitment- to, and experience-in creating notable wines...including the production of three celebrated #1-rated wines in the world; we created Moone-Tsai Wines with the simple mission of crafting the finest wines we know how.

As founders and owners who are entrenched in every aspect of our winery operations, we exercise great care to make sure that the wines we produce and present live up to the "simple mission" that we abide-by. Moreover, as devoted and long-time residents of our cherished Napa community, we take special pride in sharing these wines that bear the "best of the best" fruit from among Napa Valley's most prized vineyard blocks.

Through the years (if age and "domain expertise" count for anything), we have come to appreciate the essential elements of inspired winemaking and well-crafted wines. Indeed, extraordinary fruit, painstakingly thoughtful winemaking technique, and great French Oak are foundational; ...with our accumulated experience, time-nurtured relationships, core operating values, and unwavering commitment to excellence as the difference-makers.

Welcome to Moone-Tsai. We are proud to share these remarkable limited production wines, whose subtle balance of elegance, structure, power and finesse are a striking embodiment of the noble lion, protector of Bacchus, who graces our label.

A bit about Mary Ann Tsai:

Growing up in a spirited Italian family in Boston, Massachusetts, MaryAnn spent summers helping her grandmother tend a verdant garden featuring rows of vegetables, herbs, and an especially precious vineyard. From the last of these, the family celebrated the rite of winemaking; a tradition that young MaryAnn did not fully appreciate until years later.

During her college years, MaryAnn found herself again ensconced in vineyards; this time in a study-abroad program at the University of Angers, France. Located in the glorious Loire Valley, the idyllic town of Angers epitomized French country living and was the perfect place to spark a willing palate for simple, but well-crafted wines and inspired cuisine. It was here that MaryAnn caught "the bug" that would fuel her interest in wines, and ultimately inspire her move to Napa Valley, her graduation from Harvard Business School, and the launch of a wonderful career in the wine industry.

Hired by Mike Moone to join Beringer Wine Estates in 1989, MaryAnn realized a long-standing dream to live and work in the legendary Napa Valley. During this time, and over the next 20+ years, she was involved with producing notable wines and brands, three of which earned the distinction of being named as "Wine Spectator's #1-rated Wine in the World". With the creation of Moone-Tsai wines in 2006, MaryAnn and Larry have set their sights on earning a fourth #1 rating...under the Moone-Tsai banner. Alongside their shared pursuit of this grand-vins endeavor, MaryAnn and Larry are especially proud to raise their two daughters in the fabled Napa Valley wine country that they are pleased to call home.

Larry Tsai

Co-Founder, Owner

As a first generation Chinese-American boy growing up in the lively North Shore neighborhoods of New York's Long Island, Larry held a peculiar fascination for the "yin-yang" that one might confer upon the daily experience. Indeed, in an environment where conventions frequently compelled forced choices (Yankees v. Mets; Ginger v. Maryann; dim sum vs. lox & bagels; etc.), he often instead strayed to permutations of the many possibilities lying therein, and beyond.

While this fascination might have led him to distraction, he was able to synthesize this into a world view that would prepare him for the many opportunities that awaited him in college, and later, in his professional and personal life. After earning degrees at Princeton and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Larry embarked on a variegated career that enabled him to indulge his intertwining interests in wine, food, and the arts. By way of his experiences across Fortune 500 companies, and atop emerging gourmet/food/lifestyle enterprises and Napa Valley non-profits; Larry has combined his management skills with a calling to create and deliver extraordinary wines and experiences that support the Moone-Tsai credo.

Since taking the winery's helm in 2010, Larry has moved Moone-Tsai from its single-cabernet-infancy to the brand's current annual production of seven acclaimed wines across 3,000 cases, with distribution in selected U.S. markets and abroad. Along the way, he has found that the simple pleasure of connecting with people who enjoy well-crafted wines is nothing less than divine. Teaching and tasting with the newly impassioned to the more studied and discerning; from Baton Rouge to Bali, Seoul to Sun Valley, Jackson Hole to Jakarta, and Manhattan to Mumbai; he is reminded of the axiom that posits how adept that Napa Valley wines can be in bringing together people over good times and fine conversation.

Mike Moone

Co-Founder

Mike Moone is up to something. He always is. With his passion for ideas, tireless imagination, and a contagious joie de vivre, Mike has burnished a reputation as one of Napa Valley's most iconic visionaries and enterprise-builders.

Born and raised in Santa Monica, California, amidst the breezy beach-boy culture of the 1960's, Mike grew up living the California dream of endless summers, enduring promise and limitless possibilities. While this charmed view might have washed out with the undertow, it instead engendered an outlook that Mike carried with him to college and beyond. Upon graduating from UCLA, he embarked on a career that led him through the upper reaches of classic corporate America. After making his mark in a variety of CEO roles, Mike connected his long-standing passion for wine to building a series of wine-enterprises in the Napa Valley, not the least of which included his storied leadership transforming Beringer Vineyards, the establishment of Silverado Partners, and his involvement as a co-founder of Moone-Tsai wines. With a career spanning nearly 40 years in Napa Valley's wine history, everyone knows that Mike has been up to something good.

Philippe Melka

Winemaker

Bordeaux-bred, and mentored by the world's most revered wine masters, Philippe brings to winemaking a philosophy that is elegant in its simplicity and bewitching to its beholders.

Charming yet humble, straightforward but genteel, Philippe is quick to credit the masterful influences of Delmas and Masclef from Haut-Brion; Moueix and Berrouet from Petrus; Paul Draper from Ridge; and Michel Rolland from Chateau Le Bon Pasteur. Notwithstanding Philippe's disarming modesty, the imprint he has left wherever he has applied his "touch" is unmistakable. Having put the likes of Dominus, Hundred Acre, Bryant Family Vineyards, and Dana Estates on the map for discerning cabernet enthusiasts, the fact that Robert Parker named Philippe as one of the world's top nine consulting winemakers is no coincidence.

Philippe is creating extraordinary wines for Moone-Tsai that bear the imprimatur of his celebrated winemaking style and the winery's core artisanal values, all revealed in the classic combination of distinctive vineyard, terroir and fruit. From this, Moone-Tsai proudly presents exceptional wines of concentrated elegance and finesse...beguilingly balanced with strength, power, and subtle exuberance.

James Tucci

Certified Sommelier

Originally from the East coast, James has spent the last eight years in Napa working in the wine industry. Confirmed as a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers, James' extraordinary wine palate and vast knowledge of wines from around the world enable us to deliver exceptional and memorable privately guided winetasting experiences for guests across the wine-interest spectrum, from the newly-impassioned to the more-studied and discerning.

Wine has been, and remains a core component of James' DNA, makeup and lifestyle. Growing up in an Italian family, James fondly remembers large holiday gatherings with family and friends, where wine invariably played an integral part. And years later, after visiting Italy's famed wine regions, along with the dazzling Lake Como, James asked his wife, "How come we only go to beautiful places when we go on vacation? Why can't we live somewhere beautiful?" That was that. Returning to the States, James and his wife moved to Napa shortly thereafter; where each and every day since then, James makes it a point to appreciate the natural beauty and blessings of their splendid wine country lifestyle.

What I Drank Yesterday: Lioco – A study in Terroir

This is a joint venture between Matt Licklider and Kevin Oconnor and John Raytek is the winemaker here. 

These wines are an example of California Terroir and all of the wines are from great vineyard sites and the wines are not over manipulated so they showcase the dirt the grapes come out of rather than the oak barrel that they were aged in.

2011 Lioco Pinot Noir Michaud Chalone Monterey          Price: $57.00

They make three four single vineyard Pinot Noirs of the 10,000 cases total.  This wine has a very distinct minerality this area is known for its limestone, raspberry and wild strawberry fruit on the nose with pretty floral notes on the nose, nice complexity here, with notes of exotic spices.  This wine has a very distinct minerality to the finish also along with a host of exotic spices to the red berry fruit, zesty acidity and dried floral notes with a long nuanced finish, maybe a little understated in the alcohol department but has lots of complexity and layers on the finish.  finish 45+     Most Excellent 

2012 Lioco Carignan Setiva Mendocino  Price: $32.50

They did a lot of fermentation trials 50-60 year old vines this cuvee they did a submerged cap which gave it a darker fruit only 120 cases produced.  This wine has a wild side to it with dried herbs and floral notes on the nose.  A bright black raspberry fruit on the tongue with zesty acidity and pretty floral notes, very spicy and pretty finish.  finish 40+   Excellent                

2011 Lioco Carignan Indica Mendocino Price: $25.00

There is about 2% grenache in the blend this has more red berry fruit cranberry and a host of exotic spices dried floral notes very pretty bouquet.  A very zesty spicy wine on the tongue this wine would be very nice slightly chilled on a hot summer day very refreshing style of red with layers of spice and silky tannins through the finish.  Finish 45+        Excellent +               

2013 Lioco Indica Rose Mendocino          Price: $22.50

100% Carignan, made in a Cotes du Provence style, pretty red berry fruit, raspberry and strawberry with pretty floral notes to the nose.  A fresh and zesty rose with light red berry fruit and that pretty floral note from the nose coming out in the finish tongue tingly minerality, light briny/chalky notes through the finish.  Finish 35+      Very Good +     

2012 Lioco Chardonnay Sonoma County                Price: $26.00

This is a blend of fruit from the Russian River, Knights Valley and Dry Creek Valley and this wine does see some barrels but they are neutral, a sense of place and vintage are what they are trying to achieve, lemon oil kaffir lime and that crushed chalk like mineral notes similar to a macon in style crisp green apple fruit, nice richness here on the nose.  A bright and refreshing style but has nice depth and complexity with tongue tingly minerlaity through the finish.  Finish 40+  Excellent                

2012 Lioco Chardonnay La Marisma Santa Cruz Mountains           Price: $52.00

A very distinct area for Chardonnay has lovely concentration and richness on the nose with decadent poached pear and lemon drop candy fruit with notes of beeswax.  A very rich wine on the tongue, creamy texture with layers of fruit, tangy mineral and a touch of vanilla spice through the finish.  Finish 45+             Most Excellent

What I Drank Yesterday:  Adavino- Some really good vino!

Aaron Pott is one of the hottest winemakers in California and thanks to Aaron we can now say that we sell Pott at Wine Watch!  We have featured several of these wines in the store and they have been a big hit with everyone that we have turned them on to.

The other small producers in the Adavino portfolio are also outstanding and we have many of these wines in the store.  This is the first release of Husic Pinot Noir that has come to Florida!  You have seen it here first!!

Saint Helena Winery is another wine that is made by Aaron Pott and is along the lines of what you can expect from anything that he puts his signature on.

2012 Pott Viognier Stagecoach Vineyard Napa 20m3       Price: $69.00

This is the first vintage of Viognier for Arron and they only received 4 cases for the state of Florida for this limited production wine from Stagecoach Vineyard between Pritchard Hill and Atlas Peak.  One night over dinner, when the price of gold hit a record high last year Aaron and his wife Claire got to wondering how much gold there actually was in the world. They looked it up and the consensus seems to be that if all the gold on Earth were squashed in to one lump it would measure about 20 meters cubed … 20m3, this the name of this wine and the beautiful golden color.  Has a very pretty nose white peach, lychee nut fruit and pretty hibiscus floral notes and a hint of white pepper spice.  A very rich and fruity style of Viognier but still quite fresh and has lovely weight and a slightly oily texture, pretty floral notes and a nice hint of spice at the end with a fresh clean finish, a big but balanced style of Viognier.  Finish 45+               Most Excellent

2012 Husic Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast      Price: $60.00

The vineyard is out near occidental on the true Sonoma Coast, made by Mike Herbie, this is the third Pinot Noir that they have produced under the Husic label.  Only 300 cases of this wine were produced, a good amount of fresh berry fruit, black raspberry and dark cherry fruit with pretty floral notes and exotic spices on the nose.  A very smooth and velvety wine on the tongue with pretty floral notes and nice freshness even though it is very fruit driven a host of exotic spice through the finish, nice length and balance.  Finish 45+            Most Excellent

2009 Saint Helena Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Price: $79.50

Another Arron Pott wine, all estate grown fruit the vineyard backs up to Charles Krug, the blend here is 2% Petit Verdot and 98% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Has a good amount of dark currant and cherry fruit with notes of toasty oak spice and fresh earth loamy notes, cigar box spice and dark chocolate notes very complex bouquet of aromas.  Thick and chewy berry fruit on the tongue with a lovely balance of fruit, earth and toasty oak spice all in perfect balance, long finish.  Finish 50+                Most Excellent

2011 Pott La Carte et Le Territoire Napa                Price: $99.00

This is under 100 case production and is 40% Cabernet Franc and 60% Merlot labeled a red blend, from the Young Inglewood vineyard in St. Helena.  This wine has a very well endowed bouquet of dark cherry, cassis berry fruit with notes of violet floral notes and bitter coco, very complex array of fruit, dark earth and pretty floral notes.  A very ripe and forward style, chunky with lots of dark earth, bitter coco and pretty floral notes through the finish, black pepper spice and dark earth, a big and balanced style with lots of everything, long complex finish, even better on the second day.  Finish 50+                Most Excellent

2011 Pott Her Majesty's Secret Service Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard Napa                Price: $115.50

Up, way up in the Eastern hills of Napa Valley - a colossal 700 planted-acres of vines - lies Dr. Krupp’s Stagecoach Vineyards, an elysian field of Napa legend. In 2009, when Arron was consulting for the good doctor he gestured across the entire spread and told Arron to choose any block he wanted for Pott wine.  Aaron didn’t hesitate; “M5, M6.”  A good amount of fresh plowed earth, some fine herbs and an array of dark chocolate, cassis, dark currants, very complex bouquet with lovely ripe fruit, black truffle, very rich and even more complex on the second day.  A big and chewy wine on the tongue with lots of ripe currant and black cherry liqueur like fruit, a good hand of toasty oak spice along with distinct mineral notes through the finish, wonderful intensity and a long complex finish.  Finish 50+      Most Excellent +             

What I Drank Yesterday:  Dr. Loosen Imports

This is one of the top names in German wine and like most of the world's top dogs they have their own import company.  This helps them control their pricing in this market and allows them to introduce us to some of their friends.  The J. Christopher label is a joint venture that they have in Oregon which in 2011 kind of reminds me of a German Pinot Noir.  Riesling is what Germany is all about so as you can imagine, the Rieslings were the best wines on the table this afternoon.

2011 Maison Roche De Bellene Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vielle Vignes       Price: $21.00

This is a new project from Nicolas Potel and through his contacts in Burgundy he gets some pretty good fruit the vines that go into this wine are an average of 65 years old.  A good amount of light red berry fruit zesty spice and light earth and floral notes to the bouquet, nice complexity here for a Bourgogne and has a note of truffle like earth coming out.  Zesty red berry fruit on the tongue with smooth silky tannins and nice freshness through the finish.  Finish 35+     Very Good         

2011 J. Christopher Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Price: $30.00

This was a challenging vintage with a little rain and some rot but this wine has a lovely, Dundee Chehalem , Yamhill Carleton and Eola Hills go into this cuvee, very fresh with raspberry and strawberry like fruit, pretty floral notes, fresh mint and just a note of fresh earth.  A light and zesty wine on the tongue with raspberry and strawberry fruit and a nice tough of spice and earth, smooth and silky texture, with a bright zesty finish.  Finish 35+      Very Good +     

2012 Dr. Loosen Riesling Dry Red Slate Mosel Price: $15.00

No botyris here from a blend of 3 different vineyard sites that are on red slate soils.  This wine is picked at a Spatlese level of ripeness and the 12.5% alcohol on the label indicates that it is dry.  Has a pretty cherry and lime citrus on the nose, white peach and a note of that red slate soils coming out in the nose.  Tongue tingly acidity leaves the impression of effervescence on the tongue with lots of fresh green apple and white peach fruit along with a nice touch of that minerality lasting to the end.  Finish 35+     Very Good +     

2012 Villa Wolf Pinot Gris Pfalz Price: $12.00

Chalk and limestone soils this is the entry level wine label from Dr. Loosen, a fresh and clean wine peach and apple fruit with notes of white flowers and a chalky mineral note and lime citrus.  A good amount of zesty apple and lime citrus on the tongue with a short but pleasant finish, just a bit of residual here but nicely balanced and  fresh on the finish, leaves the tongue salivating for food.  Finish 30+     Very Good         

2012 Dr. Loosen Dr. L Riesling     Price: $13.00

This is 100% Riesling which at this level you can add up to 15% other varietals, only 8.5 % alcohol would indicate that there is some residual here, fresh apple and peach fruit with notes of wet stone and lime zest.  Lots of juicy peach and apple fruit on the tongue with a nice hand of acidity cleaning things up at the end.  Finish 30+           Very Good         

2012 Dr. Loosen Riesling Spatlese Urziger Wurzgarten Price: $32.00

This is another great year in Germany, this is 7.5% so a bit of residual here but nicely balanced with a firm hand of acidity, has a pretty nose of white flowers, white peach and apricot like fruit on the nose along with just a touch of minerality showing right now.  Lovely concentration and richness showing on the palate with tongue tingly acidity leaving the impression of effervescence on the tongue.  Finish 45+ Excellent +