Vinum55
Spain through the Glass by GIL Family Estates at Vinum55 in Scottsdale
Slide from GIL Family Estates
Tonight’s presentation was by Ian Giza, Western Regional Sales Director for GIL Family Estates. This was a highly anticipated event as Spanish wines, in my opinion, are underrated and a tremendous bargain. Spanish wines over the years have represented the second or third most wines in my cellar by country. A map was presented of the various locations of vineyards and areas around Spain for a greater understanding. Also noted is which varieties are dominant in an area. Spain is the 4th largest country in Europe and is roughly the same size as California and Nevada combined.
Slide from GIL Family Estates
Classification of Spanish wines are broken down into four distinct classifications:
*Joven-young wines with little or no oak
*Crianza-aged for at least two years with a minimum of six months in oak and mostly twelve
*Reserva-Aged for at least three years, with at least one year in oak
*Gran Reserva-Aged for at least five years, with two or more years in oak.
The evening started out with a greeting of NV Bodegas Tridente Cantagrillos Sparkling Brut that was refreshing and enjoyable, a pleasant welcoming pour especially when coming inside from 112 degree weather!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next was a full introduction of Spain and the various regions, and the history of GIL Family, being now over 100 years old and managed by their 4th generation family.
Slide from GIL Family Estates
Their agricultural practices and care/concern for the land are extraordinary as outlined in this slide.
Slide from GIL Family Estates
We jumped right into the first pour. It was a 2025 Lagar da Condesa O Fillo da Condesa Albariño Rias Baixas. It was especially clear, crisp and bright in the glass and one of the better Albariño’s tasted in some time. This area in the northwest portion of Spain is known for producing some of the best Albariño’s in the world.
I had just recently tasted two Albariño’s, one that won Best of Show White Wine at 2026 SF Chronicle Wine Competition. The other won Double Gold at the Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition and awarded 98 points! The wineries being Las Positas Vineyards and Cellar13 are both from Livermore, California. Tonight this wine was equally delicious! This wine and three others received my highest scores of the evening, a rare occurrence with 4 out of 7 wines being rated this high. The other three missed the mark by a half point, still an excellent rating.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Up next was the 2024 Bodega Atalya La Bien Plata Garnacha Almansa. Again, having enjoyed Garnacha from this area for some time, it also was phenomenal. Grown at 3200 feet elevation from plantings that are 90 years old.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We moved on to the 2022 Cellars Can Blau Red Blend Montsant which appearing in the glass could be classified light and almost semi-translucent with a radiant purple coloring. However, this is far from reality as it came through as strong and spicy with the Cariñena and Syrah helping to punch up this blend. This was one of the best scores given this evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Not only was this wine a blend of Garnacha, Cariñena and Syrah it is also a blend of three soil types, with two very different soils shown in the slide.
Slide from GIL Family Estates
The region of Jumilla in the southeastern portion of Spain has been a favorite for the last twenty years. When I first saw the geography of the region, I was shocked that anything could grow on it. Not only does it allow vines to grow, but the wine also produced is exquisite.
Slide from GIL Family Estates
Served this evening was the 2023 Juan Gil 110th year Anniversary Monastrell Jumilla. First on the nose, dark fruits of blackberries and blueberries fill the olfactory senses. On the palate, smooth and silky tannins allow the wine to glide down joyously with every sip. Mild spices are noted on the finish. This area is a high-altitude vineyard in Jumilla and rocky terrain. This wine was a standout winner for us again with the highest rating. I left the meeting ordering several bottles of this wine!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The next two wines also rated extremely well. The first one was the 2022 Bodegas Rosario Vera Tempranillo Rioja. Considering it’s meek price point of around $20/bottle, this was a wine consumer’s best friend this evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A special wine was served at the conclusion of the evening from 150-year-old vines. It was the 2021 Bodegas Tridente Rejon Tempranillo Castilla y Leon. Dark and brooding in the glass only began to describe this wine! 100% Tempranillo from pre-phylloxera vines in Castilla y Leon Spain due to the soil conditions. This vineyard was planted in 1898. Dark fruit of blackberries and plum abounded on the nose and palate. Oak and minerality were present at the finish. Key was the complexity and layers on each delightful sip. The wine comes in at 16% alcohol. It also received the highest marks for the evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Four wines hit all the high marks for this tasting for color on the eyes, aromatic notes on the nose, tasting for authenticity of place and a delightful finish. Those wines were: 2025 Lagar da Condesa O Fillo da Condesa Albariño, 2022 Cellars Can Blau Red Blend Montsant, the 2023 Juan Gil 110th Year Anniversary Monastrell Jumilla and the 2021 Bodegas Tridente Rejon Tempranillo Castilla y Leon.
Ian Giza did an outstanding job preparing and presenting these lovely wines from Spain. A special thank you to both Ian and Vinum55 for having this informative presentation and the opportunity to taste a wide range of wines showcasing not only GIL Family Estates but also Spain.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
Tour of Italy Through the Wine Glass Presented by Classico Wines
slide by Classico Wines
This week Vinum55 hosted a wonderful one and half hour presentation by Kevin Smith from Classico Wines at their Chandler facility.
slide by Classico Wines
The meeting started up with everyone getting a refreshing non-vintage De Faveri “Valdobbiadene” Prosecco from Veneto in northern Italy. This is made with 100% Glera grapes and possesses an alluring aroma and flavor of fresh peaches.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Up next was the 2025 Agricosimo Pecorino from Abruzzo working our way up north. One of the key takeaways this evening was Kevin’s pointing out the differences between warm climate and cool climate wines and the effects on acidity. Wines in Italy that are from cool climate being more acidic, lighter body with more tartness and herbaceous quality. This wine being from Abruzzo on the east coast of Italy.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The third wine of the evening was the 2024 Conti Vermentino Sardegna. Vermentino is gaining traction in the USA as a nice in-between wine from a harsher/more citrus Sauvignon Blanc and a smooth Chardonnay. This is especially true in California. This wine provided all the harnessed citrus needed without overrunning the palate. This is a great wine with so many white tender fish and shell seafood dishes. This and the next wine having my highest rating of the evening for white wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The fourth wine was the 2025 Les Cretes Petite Arvine Valle d’ Aosta. This is a unique grape and not widely known. It comes from Valle d’ Aosta in northern Italy next to Switzerland. This cool climate wine is known for vibrant grapefruit notes, white flowers and a salinity finish. Bright acidity with a full body made me order a couple of bottles!
Photo ©Michael Kelly
That concluded the line up of white wines for the evening. We then moved on to the red wines which many were anxiously anticipating. Here again two red wines stood out and received my highest marks for the evening. The first red wine tasted was the 2022 Le Sabbie Dell Etan Rosso from Sicily. This wine possesses an earthiness and was very acidic being grown on the slopes of Mount Edna in Sicily.
slide by Classico Wines
This wine is often compared to Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo for its elegance, light to medium body viscosity and high acidity. Being planted on prior eruptions, the soil provides distinct mineral and smokey flavors, not pronounced but present.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One of our personal favorite wines is Aglianico. Poured this evening was the 2018 Fontavecchia “Vigne Catarrate” Aglianico Reserva from Campania. Campania being on the southwest portion of Italy in a warmer climate. Here in this picture, you see Campania overlooking Naples with Mt Vesuvius in the background.
slide by Classico Wines
This was a hefty wine with tobacco, leather and dried herbs being forefront and very noticeable. Very different than a typical California Aglianico from Sonoma like VJB Cellars (one of our personal favorites). These two would make a great comparison in contrasting a warm verses cool climate identical grape.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We then moved on to two of Italy’s most famous varietals, Nebbiolo and followed by Barolo. This 2017 Arpepe “Rocca di Piro” Grumello DOCG comes from Lombardia and is made from Chiavennasca grapes a local alpine name for Nebbiolo in Italy. This grape boosts a 500-year history in the mountains of Piedmont. This wine is light, but packs a punch with bright red fruit, high acidity and firm tannins. A wine looking to be paired with food. Notes flavors of sour red cherry, cranberries and raspberries. Secondary flavors of wet stone, herbal notes and surprisingly mint. Both this wine and the following received my highest ratings for the evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The last wine and a crowd favorite was the 2021 Boroli Barolo another DOCG wine from Piedmonte and made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Key notes of cherry and plum stood out. Wood from barrel aging were also noted. This is due to aging 18 months in oak and then aged another 18 months before release. This is a classical Barolo and a good standard in understanding why Barolo is sought after throughout the world.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A very energetic and thorough “ride along” through Italy with various stops to enjoy some of their special and unique wines. Personally, I really enjoyed being introduced to two grapes/wines that I had not tasted previously, the Nerello Mascalee and Petite Arvine. We were so enamored with the Italy tour (and previous visits there), we had made reservations at an Italian restaurant to complete our tour and make it a perfect evening.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
Vinum55 Hosted an Informative Cabernet Franc Presentation & Tasting This Week
Chris Jeffers from a local wine distributor, The Natural Wine Company, gave both a presentation and brought some tasty wines to augment the session. Chris was very well versed in his French Cabernet Franc’s wine starting with the lighter and airy versions coming from Chinon and progressing to USA with Pride Mountain Cabernet Franc. The presentation focused more on “ripeness” and “pyrazines’ especially with the French wines from a cooler climate. Below is an ancestral lineage of the Loire Valley.
Up next was a discussion on the Chinon & Bourgueil terroir and how the wines from these regions key taste characteristics.
The first two slides focused on “cool climate Cabernet Franc’s” and then he explained “warm climate expressions” especially with oak aging.
The last slide was a quick summary of global style comparisons of France, Italy and USA. Here he went into a brief chemistry lesson and discerning acidity, tannins and alcohol levels. This is a great guide for the novice/intermediate wine aficionado wanting to understand the key differences and tastes with this universally planted grape varietal.
The first wine up for the evening was the 2022 Manoir de la Tete Rouge, Sammur “Bagatelle” (redhead) being the least ripe grape. First the color in the glass was radiant and semi-transparent with noticeable pyrazines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Following was the 2024 Bernard Baudry, “Les Granges” Chinon aged in concrete on the valley floor.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Next up was perhaps the “most attractive wine at the dance”, in my opinion, the 2021 Ampeleia IGT from the western side of Tuscany with some seaside influence. On this both neutral oak and concrete are used. The fruit picked was ripe from this warmer climate and possesses a bit more tannins. This wine hit on all four of my ratings on the eyes, the aroma, the taste and finish. It received my highest ratings of the evening.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We moved to the 2023 Olga Raffault, Chinon Les Barnabes. Right away a shade darker coloring using neutral oak and concrete but with a light pepper taste.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
We ended the tasting with 2023 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc. Those unfamiliar with the winery need to understand its geography uniqueness. Half the vineyard residents in Napa Valley and half in Sonoma County perched on top of Spring Mountain. This came in at 14.6% alcohol, the highest of the tastings. Using oak barrels produced a “savoriness” with a nice balance of tannins. This received my second highest score of the evening. Notice the color is much deeper.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
That concluded an informative and engaging presentation within the allotted time frame for the evening. Thanks Chris Jeffers and Vinum55 for holding this tasting.
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
Mea culpa Germany – Or as they say in German “meine Schuld”
Photo from Prüm winery
This week attended a most informative, provocative and engaging presentation on German Riesling. While I enjoy a nice dry Riesling especially with specific dishes, I have shied away from German wines since 1976. Yes, that is a long time but had an experience with a German wine salesman who came to our house loaded with beyond sweet wines that they offered for their wine club. We tasted some 6-8 wines and couldn’t stomach any of them. Since then, found a few American produced dry Riesling including Smith-Madrone Vineyards which I consider the best in California.
When this seminar and tasting arose from Vinum55, thought it was time to better understand German Riesling. While I have wines in the cellar from Chile, Argentina, Canada, Portugal, France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, and many states around the US, not a single German wine has appeared in the cellar. This is where my mind was reset this week.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The presentation was done by Ian Ribowsky GM of SA Prüm, who not only has a vast knowledge of wine, but a mesmerizing speaker, provided a tutorial on the history of German wine business and tasting. It is difficult to sum up the scope of this one-and-a-half-hour interaction with him. He first went through the history of the Prüm family name and their 800-year history. The winery and winemaking today are under Saskia Prüm who is an enology graduate of Geisenheim and the first woman in their 800-year history to lead the winery.
Photo from Prüm winery
Before getting into the wine, Ian delineated the geography of the Mosel River where their vineyards in various villages are located. First the area is at the 51st latitude extremely northern compared to USA vineyards, on extremely steep hillsides, some being 80% slope. The soils from the area have been tested and date back some 390 million years ago on Devonian slate. This soil provides continuing heat even through the evening. The vines are resistant to frost and mildew and the minerals in the soil provide heavenly aromatics and complexity.
Next Ian discussed the history of The VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingϋter) an association of Germany’s top wine producers with promote standards of quality and ecological management. This includes rigorous adherence to the protocols establishing low yields, strict rules on weights on harvest practices, selective hand harvesting, etc. All to secure the future of Germany’s historical wine presence in the global market. Of the 16,000 wineries only 202 are members. You must be invited to be a member of this exclusive quality assurance group of wineries.
The last background information discussed was the qualification and naming of wines from dry Riesling to a sweet to Riesling to “stickies” (very sweet). Also mentioned the age ability of Riesling wines from Germany, which was a revelation with some going up to 50 years!
All of this before the first sip commenced! Truly a fascinating and eye-opening educational experience.
We then began the wine tasting tour, which I’ve included and a couple of my notes on each:
2023 Raimund Prüm Solitar Dry Riesling – 11.5% alcohol, 6.9 g/l RS, flavors of orange/tangerine, great acidity – $25/bottle. (sorry no picture)
2022 Prüm Blue Trocken Dry Riesling VDP – Green apple -$30/bottle
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2020 SA Prüm Wehlen Sonnenuhr GG Dry Riesling – 5.4 g/l RS, will last up to 50 years, no toast on the German barrels, fermented 3-5 months, 1 year in oak, a faint light aroma -$95/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2015 SA Prüm Wehlen Sonnenuhr GG Dry Riesling – 9 g/l RS, 8.8/l acidity, to be paired with a big meat with no sauce, this specifically was age worthy for 50 years. – $95/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2025 Raimund Prüm Essence Riesling – 22g/l RS, Acid at 7.7, considered their everyday or pleasurable wine, pineapple, peach, apricot, medium dry, will age 10 years, great with fish, salads, chicken and spicy dishes – $25/bottle
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2020 SA Prüm Wehlen Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett – 42.8 g/l, alcohol 8.2%, lemon and lime flavors, fruity but not too sweet – $42/bottle
Photo ©Michael Kelly
2019 SA Prüm Wehlen Sonneunuhr Riesling Spätlese – a minimum of 60 g/l, ability to age 60 years, 8.5% alcohol, very sweet, a dessert wine – $55/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Significant discounts were offered on purchasing three packs for each of the wines. PH levels for all these wines ran in the 2.7 to 3.1 range. On the dry Riesling, they were fragile, exquisite and aromatics were astonishing. One of the last slides shown was a food pairing with each type of wine showing the diversity of foods that are optimal with different Riesling profiles.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This is a brief summary of the evening. Should you get an opportunity to listen to Ian or travel to Germany, make SA Prüm a must visit. All their wines are rated in 90+ range and some are going as high as 98 points. Your mindset on Germany Riesling will be blown away (like me) and you will endeavor to search out German Riesling’s going forward.
Sláinte or more appropriately ‘CHirz,
Michael Kelly
Just Another Wednesday Night – Good Wine Tasting and An Excellent Dinner
Started off the evening with a “Tour De France” wine tasting put by Massanois wine wholesaler and importer at Vinum55 in Scottsdale. My sister and her friend also attended the event. Focus was on sustainable and small family-owned wineries. Some very nice wines were enjoyed. The two wines with ** received my highest ratings of the evening:
**NV Charles Gonnet Crémant de Savoie – East of lake Geneva at about 600 ft elevation, 3rd generation family
-2025 Jean Max Roger Sancerre Marnes & Caillottes – mineral driven, close to Sauvignon Blanc, back to 7th generation, acidity was high, limestone soil, and grown in cool area
Photo ©Michael Kelly
-2024 Maison Champy Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc -light and fragrance a bit muted, started back in 1720
Photo ©Michael Kelly
**2023 Clos L’Oratorire des Papes CDP – from Rhone, Chateauneuf du Pape area, fruit of red cherry, mostly Grenache, founded in 1926 and celebrating 100 years
Photo ©Michael Kelly
-2020 Chateau Capet-Guillier Tour de Capet – started 1900’s, Bordeaux area, lots of clay & limestone soil, mostly Merlot with a little Cab Franc & Malbec, St Emillion on label
Photo ©Michael Kelly
-2019 Espirit de Pavie – Limestone soil, elegant and brightness, mostly merlot a little Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon, cigar box and tannins.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On the way back to our homes, stopped at d’Vine Wine Bar & Bistro for a bite to eat, listened to live music and enjoyed wine from what I consider the best wine bar selection in the Phoenix area.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Ordered a Truchard Pinot Noir primarily to go with my sister’s various Bruschetta selection and Kim’s order of Marconi and Chorizo dishes. At the Vinum55 tasting, both really liked the Grenache based wine and wanted to find something refreshing and light to go with their food choices. They both loved the Truchard Pinot Noir and will be ordering some shortly.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
I went with the Ahi tuna seared on the outside with sesame seeds and rare inside with leeks and washi aioli.
A good all-around evening thanks to Vinum55 and d’Vine Wine Bar & Bistro.
Slainte,
Michael Kelly
Education and Tasting Session on Gérard Bertrand Wines & Languedoc, France
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Attended a seminar and tasting of Languedoc-Roussillon wine region and tasting of various wines from Gérard Bertrand Thursday evening. The event was held at Vinum55 in Scottsdale. Reed was the main presenter from a local distributor. She was extremely knowledgeable about the region and specifically the wines being poured.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Also assisting in the presentation was Vinum’s own Shelly Fitzgerald, Wine Director at Vinum55 and assisting a newly hired person from Gérard Bertrand Wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Gérard Bertrand Wines produces roughly 20 million cases of wine! While many are on the lower end commercial side, the winery produces some boutique and artisan wines of distinction. Lauren selected some unique wines from several of their sites throughout the region for the group to enjoy.
Map courtesy of AFG
Wines selected were:
*2023 Crémant de Limoux sparkling consisting of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir grape varieties. Priced at $33/bottle.
*2023 Castellum Sauvignon Blanc. Priced at $44/bottle.
*2024 Domain de L’Aigle Chardonnay. Priced at $43/bottle.
*2022 Close du Temple Rosé. This won the distinction as the Best Rosé in the World! It consisted of GSM and Cinsault grape varieties. Priced at $220/bottle.
*2022 Cigalus Rouge. This was a combination of eight wine varieties: Merlot, Syrah, Grenache Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Caladoc, Carignan and Mourvèdre. Priced at $52/bottle.
And for the final wine of the evening was 2018 Clos d’ Ora that was rated 98 points and consisting of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. Priced at $254/bottle.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
My personal favorite and scoring highest (on my rating system) was the sparkling Crémant de Limoux.
Very much enjoyed getting more familiar with the region as so many others are much more well known in France. The intriguing quality of wine knowledge is that the glass is bottomless!
Slainte,
Michael Kelly