WonderfulPessimist.com

I recently had a change to try out the Gold Medal Wine Club of California. Here’s what I can tell you: as far as wine clubs go, this one is quite solid. My introductory package was impressive; it included two bottles of wine, a gift certificate toward future orders, and a newsletter.

The first bottle was a 2004 Madroña merlot. Shipped in a dark bottle with a handsome silver, blue and purple label, this wine is a classy selection from one of California’s better small vineyards. A red wine with a bold nose, it possesses a deep and complex character; hints of pipe tobacco, dark plum, molasses and hints of raspberry and cherry blend together with an overall mild peppery taste to surprise the palate with a bolder character than most merlots possess. It took me by surprise when I first tasted it, but after the first sip I grew to appreciate its unique taste.

The second bottle was also a red wine, a 2004 Madroña cabernet sauvignon. Aged in French and American oak, this wine picks up some of its character from the oak casks. With a stronger peppery character than the merlot. It blends hints of black current, olives, herbs, sweet pipe tobacco and black plum, to name a few of the influences. Although quite bold, it goes down with a surprising smoothness. While I could appreciate what this cabernet sauvignon was trying to achieve, however, it was a more aggressive wine than I normally appreciate. Although it challenged my palette, it was a treat to sample a wine that normally I might overlook.

The newsletter included with the package is an all-around solid read for the wine aficionado. The articles and bright and lively, the layout professional and slick, and an all-around good read. Although my two samples came from the same vineyard, the Gold Medal Wine Club of California features wines from a large number of small, prestigious California vineyards, and joining up would present anyone who appreciates a fine wine with exposure to a wide selection of top-notch brands, some of which are not well-known.

If you enjoy sampling fine wines, or know someone who does, this is one wine club that knows how to select and present some truly hidden treasures. They even offer four different levels of membership, from gold to platinum to diamond, as well as an international wine club. One of the better wine clubs you’re likely to find!