$1,500 wine collection up for auction at Ruby Gala

A collection of wine compiled and donated by Roger and Carmen Smith will be up during the live auction. The collection features four half cases (six bottles each for 24 bottles), including two of French wine, one of California wine and a third of Peninsula red wines from southern Europe. The collection features an additional two magnums (1.5-liters each) of French wine.  The collection is valued at about $1,500.

• Half Case of Red Wines from the Southern Rhone Valley of France. These wines are predominantly made from syrah and Grenache, carry the fruity quality of these grapes, and are very food-friendly. The wines are:
1. 2012 Chateau Husson Chateauneuf du Pape Les Saumades;
2. 2013 L’Abbe Dine Cotes du Rhone;
3. 2013 Chateau Mont-Thabor Cotes du Rhone;
4. 2015 Domaine de Poulvarel Les Gres;
5. 2013 Chateau Mont Thabor Chateauneuf du Pape; and
6. 2013 Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf du Pape.
Retail Value: $285

• Half Case of California Cabernets and Cabernet Blends. The cabernet sauvignons of California are world famous. This assemblage demonstrates a wide range of this State’s primary varietal. The wines are:
1. 2013 Cortello Napa Valley Propietary Red;
2. 2011 Matthew Joseph Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon;
3. 2010 Bigvine Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon;
4. 2011 Mount Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon;
5. 2011 Forth Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon All Boys; and
6. 2012 Topos Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Retail Value: $305
• Half Case of Iberian Peninsula Red Wines. Although not quite as sought after as the French wines, those of Southern Europe are gaining recognition for their quality and affordability. The wines are:
1. 2009 Gomez de Segura Tempranillo Reserva de la Familia (Spain, Rioja);
2. 2010 Mas Donis Celler de Capcanes (Spain, Montsant);
3. 2013 Tamaral Tempranillo (Spain, Ribera del Duero);
4. 2013 Torre Castillo Cosecha; (Spain, Monastrell);
5. 2014 Rabelo Mosteiro Compania de Vinos del Atlantico (Portugal, Duoro); and
6. 2014 Campo Arriba Old Vines (Spain, Monastrell).
Retail Value: $225

• Half Case of Red Wines from France’s World-Famous Bordeaux Vineyards. This is a mixture of wines, many from the great vintages of 2009 and 2010.
1. 2009 Chateau Croix-Mouton (Bordeaux Superieur);
2. 2010 Chateau Coquillas (Pessac-Leognan);
3. 2011 Chateau La Tour de Mons (Margaux);
4. 2009 Chateau d’Arsac (Margaux);
5. 2009 Chateau Terre Blanche (Castillon, Cotes de Bordeaux); and
6. 2010 Chateau de Camparian (Pessac-Leognan).
Retail Value: $285
• A Magnum (1.5 Liters) of 2010 Paul Jaboulet Aine’s Evidence par Caroline des Vignes de la Lagune. This is a very special bottling by one of France’s most prestigious winemakers, blending wines from the Medoc of Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley. This reflects this winemaker’s roots in both famous regions — very unique and one of a kind.
Retail Value: $240

• A Magnum (1.5 Liters) of 2011 Chateau Fleur Cardinale (France, St. Emilion). Robert Parker rates this wine 93, with these tasting notes: “This gorgeous 2011 continues the succession of impressive wines made by this estate since it was acquired by the Decoster family. Beautiful black raspberry, blueberry and black currant fruit notes intermixed with a touch of spring flowers emerge from a wine with excellent balance, nicely integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood, and a healthy saturated ruby/purple color. This full-bodied, long, captivating La Fleur Cardinale is already drinking well, and should continue to do so for 10-12 years.”
Retail Value: $155