By James V. Monaci

Celebrate the joy of giving this Valentine’s Day and let Love take shape in the form of a Heart. As couples, take care of each other’s Heart, with this fusion of good fortune, indulge yourself with good company, good food, and good wine, make it personal and declare true love.

“Ehlers Estate represents a unique fusion”, of good fortune, as a wine growing estate. The Ehlers Estate and Leducq Fondation are environmentally friendly, through organic and biodynamic farming, and international philanthropy. From the production of this small portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and the sought after Bordeaux style “1886” Cabernet Sauvignon, the entirety of proceeds from the sale of these wines, support the Leducq Foundation; dedicated to funding international cardiovascular research. Hence, the Heart encircled by the “E” on the bottle of Ehlers Estate Wines!

The Leducq Foundation and Ehlers Estate are at the forefront in dedicating its efforts to improve human health through national and international steps to fight cardiovascular disease. It is their mission and goal to develop an understanding, and a diagnosis and treatment process through technological and surgical interventions to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease, which as of today is an ongoing fight.

In addition to its current history, there is a great history to the Ehlers Estate, dating all the way back to 1886, when Bernard and Anne Ehlers completed planting the vineyard in St. Helena, which sits between Mayacamas Mountain and Howell Mountain, until the time that Parisians Jean and Sylviane Leducq (1985 to 2001 and current) joined the original 14 acre Ehlers Estate property with contiguous vineyard parcels to create a 43.8 acre estate with the original stone structured winery, the estate house, and vineyard acres. With all its efforts, heartfelt, Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon in the glass, is showing slow-running’s of the legs (but she’s healthy), and displaying some clarity, but predominately a “hard to read through” wine; definitely not filtered or refined. The “Olfactory Nose” senses Black Cherries, Chocolate, Licorice, and a cross display of heat (from the alcohol at 14.9%) and spice of White Pepper and Cardamom, expressing some Mint as well. As for the twitching palate, the Ortho-nasal Stimulation picks up Black Berries, Chocolate Nibs, Espresso, Black Currants and Cassis, with Retro-nasal Stimulation of Sweet baked Chocolate and stewed Black Cherries. I recommend decanting to allow the wine to breathe and also to filter the tartrate crystals (or not, as a result, the potassium bitartrates are an antioxidant, removing the free radical intermediates). Otherwise, if patience entice, enjoy seven (7) to nine (9) years later!

The Ehlers Estate 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is all estate grown, organic and biodynamic farmed with a composition of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. It is rested in "mother nature" for 17 months in Oak (consisting of 95% French Oak, of which 55% is new Oak), harvested between the dates of September 28th and November 3rd, and bottled May 5, 2007. Ehlers Estate Winemaker and Vineyard Manager, Rudy Zuidema, is at the forefront of utilizing farming techniques of biodynamic that are currently utilized by several of the world's oldest and respected agricultural wineries of the world, based on the approach of bio-farming by one Austrian Scientist and philosopher Rudolph Steiner. Bravo! Now having enjoyed the Ehlers Estate 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon with your significant other, it’s time to continue with century old traditions and ask your significant other on a Valentine’s thereafter date of affection. Therefore, continue this evening or the next by corking the 2005 Ehlers Estate St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 1886. The 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon is grown on very rocky soil, that which is porous, and therefore causes a struggle for the grapes to ripen. As a result of the hardship, these grapes are concentrated, pure, complex, and powerful in density and complexity. With twenty months in 100% French Oak, this Cabernet produces a solid nose in aromas of Black Cherries, Black Licorice, Mint leaf and Chocolate nuances. The palate continues to grab upon tannins carrying notes of Black Currants, Black Cherries, and lots of dark Chocolates, with Maple and Oak elements, finishing slowly and lush, with flavors of dried bushels of Black Cherries and hints of White Pepper and finishing notes of rich dark Green and Black’s Organic Chocolates.

Enjoy Ehlers Estate 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Sauvignon 1886 with a Loved One… and take care of each other’s Heart. And sure, throw in some Leonidas Belgium Chocolates and today let your Heart speak louder than words!

Ehlers Estate is a beautiful find, so search it out, weather at a restaurant of choice or your finest wine bar/retail store. Shelved at Enotria~Land of Wines, Scottsdale, Terrior Wine Pub, Scottsdale, The Wine Loft, Flagstaff, KandL Wine Merchants in San Francisco on 4th Street, Redwood City on El Camino Real, and Hollywood on Vine.

For more information on Ehlers Estate and The Leducq Foundation, please visit:

www.ehlersestate.com and www.fondationleducq.org

James V. Monaci, the whimsical sommelier, is General Manager for Picazzo’s Gourmet Pizza and Salads, Wine Consultant for MonaciEnoteca, and catch him cooking at Seasoned Kitchen in Flagstaff, or reach him at 928.274.2228 or [email protected]