Winestyr Offers A Curated Selection Of Artisanal Wines

Wine clubs come in all shapes in sizes. Whether you want to sign up for a club specific to one winery or region, for instance, or one whose focus is specifically on international selections, they exist.  If your tastes are more specific you can easily search for a niche club that caters to your palate. Recently, I sampled a shipment from Winestyr, a California based wine club. Its focus is on small batch US based wineries. Members can choose which type wine combinations he or she would like and they options vary in price. Three bottles of red and white wine ($79), three bottles of all red ($99), six bottles of mixed red and white ($135) or 6 bottles all red ($179). I sampled the three selections of all red option and as stated, the wines were produced in pretty small quantities. The presentation was lovely with the wines arriving in a much nicer than average shipping container. In addition to the wines, there was a recyclable wine bag in the package, a cork screw and information sheets about each wine delivered.  The wines themselves were delicious and here are some specific thoughts about each.

Buoncristiani  OPC Proprietary Red 2012

This blend from Napa Valley is composed of cabernet sauvignon (32 peercent), syrah (30 percent), merlot (22 percent), and malbec (16 percent).  It spent 20 months aging in French oak. A bit less than 3,000 cases of this wine were produced. Red and black raspberry aromas underpinned by a bit of vanilla bean inform the welcoming nose. The palate is studded with rich, lush, sweet fruit flavors. Blackberry and raspberry are of particular note. The persistent finish is loaded with dark dried fruits, roasted espresso, black pepper and earth.

Friedman Wines  Dichotomy Pinot Noir 2013

This offering was produced entirely from pinot noir sourced in Russian River Valley. This is truly a tiny winery and a mere 150 cases of this particular offering were produced.  Black cherry and subtle wisps of savory herbs present on the nose. The palate is studded with waves of dark fruits such as cherry and bits of raspberry. Black tea, chicory and wet limestone are in evidence on the long finish. Firm, racy acid keeps everything in check here.

Tallulah Shake Rise Ranch Syrah 2011

The Sierra Foothills is the region this fruit for this offering was sourced. It's entirely syrah. It was aged for 20 months in seasoned French oak while 30 percent of the wine was also aged in new French oak barrels. Then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Just fewer than 350 cases were produced. Blackberry and boysenberry aromas lead the nose here. Similarly dark fruits fill the palate along with copious references to smoked meats and a wallop of spices. The lengthy finish shows off black pepper, toast and continuing oodles of rich black fruit flavors. This is a really lovely expression of syrah that will pair magnificently with rich, full flavored foods.

Having experienced a shipment from Winestyr, I must say, I recommend the club heartily. Whether you want to treat yourself or give a thoughtful gift to a wine loving loved one, Winestyr is a great choice. There's a real sense that the folks at Winestyr are curating the selections from wines they genuinely love and want to promote. This isn't always the case with every wine club. Winestyr also allows customers to select frequency of shipments in addition to number of bottles and white or red wine. If you're looking for a wine club, give them a shot, they're doing it right.