Showing posts with label Argentina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Argentina. Show all posts

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Family birthday dinner at Son Ryan's features a flight of big red wines

 Family birthday dinner at Son Ryan's features a flight of big red wines - Back-up

For grand-daughter MacKenzie's birthday, son Ryan and D-inlaw Michelle hosted a gala family celebration dinner.  They grilled beef steaks and chicken on Ryan's new outdoor kitchen grill with a range of accompaniments. Before dinner they served shrimp, assorted veggies, fruits and an medley of artisan cheeses. With the snacks and hor d'ovres Ryan served vintage Roederer Champagne.

With dinner Ryan served from his cellar several vintage premium wines:

  • Fantesca All Great Things - Freedom 2009
  • Cliff Lede High Fidelity Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
  • Lillian California Syrah 2017

Family friend Dustin R brought from his cellar this premium Argentinian Malbec by Viña Cobos.


Cliff Lede “High Fidelity” Red Wine, Napa Valley 2017 

Ryan has an extensive collection of Cliff Lede estate Cabernets. As a member of their club he gets allocated special vineyard block designated bottlings from the Stags Leap District Napa Valley estate including this red Bordeaux Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Merlot based blend label. 

The 2017 'High Fidelity' is composed of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Cliff Lede's Twin Peaks estate vineyard, along with the Cabernet Franc from acclaimed viticulturist David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch. 

We've visited the Lede estate numerous times over the years and its alway a highlight of our Napa visits. 

This was rated 94 points by Antonio Galloni of Vinous.

Dark inky purple garnet colored, medium-full bodied, smooth, polished and nicely balanced black berry and plum fruits with notes of graphite, mocha, expresso, anise, spice and black tea with earthy floral on an elegant soft tannin finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/notes.asp?iWine=3526988

http://www.cliffledevineyards.com/


Fantesca All Great Things - Freedom 2009

This is the handicraft of legendary veteran winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett, whose Napa Valley resume includes winemaking stints at Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, and her own La Sirena. She signed on with Fantesca in early 2008.

Fantesca Estate and Winery Napa Valley "All Great Things - Freedom" 2009 
This label "All Great Things" is Heidi Barret's annual Bordeaux blend produced for Fantesca - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.  
 
This is the inaugural release of the series, which is inspired by the words of Winston Churchill:  “All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.”  
 
Each vintage release commemorates one of those notable words from the legendary Churchill quote - freedom (2015), justice (2016), honor (2011, 2017), duty (2012, 2018), mercy (2013), and hope (2014) - this one christened the (first) "Honor" release.

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, smooth, elegant and polished with bright black fruits with floral notes of and subtle notes of spice, mocha, tobacco and leather with smooth moderate tannins on the finish.

RM 92 points.  
 
 
http://www.fantesca.com
 

 Lillian California Syrah 2017

An interesting wine I had never heard of or seen before Ryan brought this premium artisan Syrah from his cellar when we were over last fall. That night we tasted the 2016 release.

This is from winemaker Maggie Harrison who worked at legendary Sine Qua Non for eight years.  and is also winemaker of Antica Terra. During Maggie's seventh year working at Manfred Krankl's Sine Qua Non, she was given the opportunity to produce a few barrels of her own Syrah and in 2004, Lillian Winery was born with an inaugural release of 150 cases. Lillian represents Maggie’s personal project and reflects everything that she learned during her time at Sine Qua Non.

First released in 2004, she sources fruit for this small production artisan label from the prestigious White Hawk Vineyard in Santa Barbara County

She produces this Lillian Syrah and a some other labels from vineyards sources such as the Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, and the Stolpman Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Lillian wines are crafted from Rhone varietals — Roussanne, Syrah and Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Lillian shares a winemaker, winery, and tasting room with Antica Terra, in Dundee, OR.  While Antica Terra is focused on Pinot Noir from OR, Lillian is dedicated exclusively to producing Rhone varieties, as noted on the label, the wine is designated California Syrah, attributing the vineyard sources of the fruit. 

Dark purple, medium-full bodied, balanced savory dark fruit with hints of smoke and bacon fat on the nose and palate with a big lingering tangy finish. 

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3042313 

https://www.lillianwinery.com/

Viña Cobos, Vineyard Designate Malbec, Marchiori Estate, Luján de Cuyo, Argentina, 2019

Paul Hobbs, renowned California winemaker is founding partner and winemaker at Viña Cobos. 

In addition to his global consulting career, Paul Hobbs has navigated producing wines globally, engaging annually in two harvests across nine countries. Today, Paul is the owner and winemaker for Sebastopol, California based wineries Paul Hobbs Winery and Crossbarn, as well as his international partnerships: Viña Cobos of Argentina, Crocus of Cahors, France, Yacoubian-Hobbs of Armenia and his two latest projects in development: Hillick & Hobbs, focusing on Finger Lakes riesling, and Alvaredos-Hobbs in Galicia, Spain.

Paul Hobbs visited Mendoza in Argentina in 1989 and started working with Malbec, exploring different terroirs of Mendoza, looking for the most distinguished regions in Luján de Cuyo and the Valle de Uco, to produce wines that uniquely express their origins.

He established Viña Cobos in 1998, After twenty years of experimenting, development, innovation and improvement, Viña Cobos has evolved to become internationally recognized for producing luxury-class wines and a world quality leader for Malbec based wines. Viña Cobos creates extraordinary wines of outstanding quality, highlighting Malbec as the emblematic variety of Mendoza.

With the inaugural vintage of Cobos Malbec in 1999, Viña Cobos marked a milestone in viticulture, defying existing standards and firmly positioned Malbec and Argentina on the international wine scene.

Viña Cobos, Vineyard Designate Malbec, Marchiori Estate, Luján de Cuyo, Argentina, 2019  

The winery’s elegant and balanced wines are a result of meticulous vineyard farming and utmost attention to showcasing the specific terroir of the region. This Malbec is sourced from Estates and vineyards in Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. The Marchiori Estate is the cornerstone of Viña Cobos. Malbec grapes grown in block C2 have been the key source since the inaugural vintage release, Cobos Malbec 1999. 

Luján de Cuyo is the premier growing region of Mendoza, fed by the snow-melt of the Andes through the Mendoza River. High altitudes range from 945 - 1,100 m (2,624 - 3,608 ft). The soils are alluvial, with a subsoil of clay, sand, silt and rock.

Valle de Uco with proximity to the Andes Mountains characterizes this cool, high altitude region. Vineyards sites range from 900 - 1,400 m (2,950 - 4,600 ft) in elevation. The soils are alluvial, sandy and rocky, and in some areas, limestone.

In addition to Malbec, Viña Cobos grows and produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

The 2015 Cobos Marchiori Estate Malbec was awarded 98 points by JS.

This is really dynamic and focused with blueberry, blackberry and mineral character. Hints of lavender and sandalwood. Full body, yet so tight and lifting. The palate just grows at the finish which goes on and on. Juicy, meaty and dried herb flavors at the end… – J.S.

The first release of this wine was 2018, under the 'Viña Cobos Vineyard Designate' label. The Viña Cobos Vineyard Designate line captures the richness and power of exceptional vineyards and estates within Valle de Uco and Luján de Cuyo. 

This was dark inky purple colored, full bodied, rich, concentrated extracted black and blue fruits with notes of bacon, tobacco, black tea, spice and herbs with a full lingering finish. 

RM 94 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4240423 

https://www.paulhobbsselections.com/vinfata-cobos
 
@VinaCobos



Sunday, November 27, 2022

Monteviejo Lindaflor 'Petite Fleur' Red Blend

Bodega Monteviejo Lindaflor 'Petite Fleur' Red Blend 2006, Valle de Uco,  Mendoza Argentina 

For Sunday night carry out pizza I pulled from the cellar and aged big red blend from Argentina. 

This is from the producers with vineyards of Le Gay, La Violette, and Montveil in the Pomerol Region of Bordeaux France comes this Bordeaux Blend from Valle de Uco,  Mendoza, Argentina. Bodega Monteviejo is owned and operated by Chateau Le Gay in Pomerol, Bordeaux, France. Both wineries share the same winemakers, including the highly respected Michael Rolland, the world renouned consulting winemaker to many of the great Merlot based labels in France, California and Washington State, and beyond to the new world emerging wine regions such as Mendoza, Argentina.

The Monteviejo winery lies in Vista Flores, Tunuyán, in the heart of the Uco Valley. The 320 acre property sits nestled at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The estate is owned by the Péré Vergé family while winemaker, enologist and general manager, Marcelo Pelleriti, renowned in the industry in his own right, has worked in both France and Argentina under the guide of his mentor, legendary Michel Rolland.

For more than 15 years, Marcelo has directed the harvests in Bordeaux for Château La Violette, Château Le Gay and Château Montviel, living in France between September and November and opposite seasons down-under in Argentina, every year since 2001. 

He is know for his expertise in both these two distinct terroirs and has gained international renown for exceptional wines that consistently receives high ratings, often earning 95 points and above in both France and Argentina.

Mendoza has come to be known as the Malbec capital of the world, a lesser known Bordeaux varietal  that is increasingly combined as part of a Bordeaux style blend. While Malbec is usually a very small component in Bordeaux wines, it is the primary component in this Argentinian label, representing half of the overall blend.

Bodega Monteviejo Lindaflor 'Petite Fleur' Red Blend 2006

This is a blend predominantly Malbec with Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon - all sourced from the Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina - reported to be 50% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah and 10% Merlot.

From the rear label (shown) -

"Petit Fleur of Lindaflor, surprising blend where Malbec is the main component. Merlot offers elegance and roundness, Syrah the mineral complexity and Cabernet Sauvignon the tannin complexity that contributes to the balance and structure. Due to its intensity of fruit, body and volume, we recommend to decant before drinking and to serve between 14C-16C.

50% Malbec, 10% Syrah, 10% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard density: 5500 feet per hectare.
Location: Clos de los Siete, 1100 msm. South of Mendoza, Argentina.
Soil: slimy and franc, increasing the proportion of gravels in subsoil.
Vinification and unbringing: maceration in tanks of 100 hl. For 30 days with manual pigeage.
Ageing in barrels for 12 months, only 30% new casks.
Other vineyards: Le Gay, La Violette and Montviel in Pomerol, Bordeaux, France.

While those Bordeaux labels will run a minimum of $40 to four or five times that amount, the lesser known upstart will cost a fraction of that amount providing quality drinking with tremendous QPR - quality price ratio.

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, aromatic bouquet and flavors of plum and blackberry fruits with notes of smoke, licorice, spice, hints of cedar and leather turning to nicely balanced acidity, slightly chewy tannins and good length.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=582228


Sunday, April 8, 2018

Ninety-Plus Cellars Lot 53 Gran Reserva Mendoza Cabernet

 Ninety+ Cellars 53 Gran Reserva Mendoza Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 

For casual sipping with Saturday Night movie by the fireplace I pulled from the cellar this ten year old aged Mendoza Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon from the cellar. This impressed enough to save over for Sunday grilled steak dinner. Initially, I was thinking 'pizza wine', aka low cost casual drinking for Saturday evening dinner, but this was big, complex and sophisticated enough to hold over for Sunday afternoon dinner.

Another label from negociant private label remarketer Niney-Plus Cellars, this Lot 53 over achieved in delivering a super QPR (quality-price-ratio) new world South American Cabernet Sauvignon.

According to Ninety-Plus, this wine is made by a well-respected family-owned winery in Mendoza, Argentina. The grape vines are located more than 800 meters above sea level and are irrigated from the mineral rich water from the Andes mountains. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then aged for 6 months in a blend of new and recently used French oak.

I had set this bottle aside in the cellar as 'time to drink', and perhaps 'passed its time'. This vastly exceeded my expectations with high throttle bold fruit forward expressive bright vibrant fruits and obtuse in-your-face accents. This would've been a great 'pizza' wine but it was sufficiently complex and multi-dimensional that it was an ideal compliment to grilled beef steak, mashed potatoes, grilled salmon and asparagus Sunday dinner.

Bright garnet colored, medium fulled bodied, expressive forward sweet dark plum, cherry and berry fruit flavors accented by a layer of anise and high alcohol punctuated tones of eucalyptus and tangy acidity on the tongue puckering finish. The 14.8% alcohol shows but isn't overpowering to be distracting. This is great sophisticated and complex enough to be a great value at under $20.

Binny's Beverage Depot, Chicago's wine merchant super store are showing the 2015 release of this label at under $10. Need to pick some up to try and compare! 

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1430849


Friday, December 18, 2015

Mascota Unánime Gran Vino Tinto Red 2011

Mascota Unánime Gran Vino Tinto Red 2011

From the Uco Valley in the Mendoza region in Argentina at the foot of the Andes, this is from Mascota who has been a producer in the area for three decades.  

Traveling on business, I ventured in to Total Wine to find an interesting wine for dinner. A high QPR moderately priced wine was on order since I had an important meeting the next day and hence would only drink half the bottle or less. They offering a small selection of 1/2 bottles which included a couple interesting Bordeaux but I opted for this for its instant gratification approachability while still so young. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cab Franc was recommended by a staffer as a favorite, that fit the target profile I requested, bold, big, fruit forward, ready to drink. This is one of their Winery Direct features, interesting, since it comes from Argentina.

When I selected it I thought it was $23 but at check-out it was $25. Not used to shopping there, I fell for their pick-six price point. This is a decent value at $23 but at $27 with tax, I'd opt for the higher quality but lower cost of the 1/2 bottle of Bordeaux.

The fact it would live up to its billing was immediately apparent on opening with its deep color, full body and aromatics that filled the room on opening. It was a great accompaniment to carry-out lasagna which exceeded expectations, from nearby Davanni's pizza-Italian restaurant.

Deep, dark blackish garnet colored, full bodied, bold, forward, vibrant slightly obtuse with aromas and flavors of blackberry and black plum fruits accented by a layer of cassis, with tones of creosote and hints of expresso and dark bitter chocolate on the sharp abrupt finish.

RM 89 points.

The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec & 15% Cabernet Franc.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2162752

http://www.totalwine.com/ 

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Ninety Plus Cellars Lot 53 Gran Reserva Mendoza Cabernet

Ninety Plus Cellars Lot 53 Gran Reserva Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

I've written a couple times about this Negotiant - Broker and some of the extraordinary values that occasionally appear. Recently we've featured finds such as Lot 101 Columbia Valley Syrah and Lot 500 Cabernet from another like vendor (Cameron Hughs). This wine is not of that caliber or discovery, but it is notable none-the-less. One anomaly that belies their model of maintaining secrecy to 'protect' the source, this particular bottling reveals the producer source on the cork when extracted from the bottle. How does that happen? They likely purchased bottled product that had not yet been labeled. This is a common practice of producers to bottle the wine but not affix the labels till later. This makes sense when small lot producers lack the high volume automated lines that would combine these steps in one operation. Another reason for doing this is that if the bottles are going to be stored for some period of time, it prevents the labels from being worn, torn, soiled or otherwise diminished in handling, until which time they're ready to go to market.

Again, the reason this is an anomaly is that the producer is usually anonymous since they're selling their wine through this 'alternate' channel, often at a reduced price. Hence they don't want to diminish the value associated with their brand. According to the Ninety Plus Cellars, 8000 cases were produced of this wine and the producer's release price was $18 and they sell it for $12. We know this producer's label of this wine to be available at various merchants in the range of $20 to $24.

In this case, the cork reveals the producer to be Bodega Navarro Correas. This label is widely available in distribution and is can be found for the same price point as offered by Ninety-Plus cellars. This is likely the result of the producer thinning inventories of excess product, or simply seeking a parallel channel of distribution for their product. Never-the-less, this was an interesting wine that provided pleasurable drinking and good value QPR (Quality Price Ratio). It calls for seeking this out in the regular producer label for comparison as it should be readily available, with 8000 cases being produced.

About the producer

The Navarro Correas family is an historic and prestigious name with a long history of producing quality wines. The Correas family history dates back to 1798, when Sir Juan de Dios Correas planted the first vine seeds in the lands of Mendoza at the foot of the Andes ridge. Sir Juan De Dios also played an active role in the public life of Mendoza, where he served as Municipal Councillor in the year 1814 and as governor in 1824. For more than a century starting in the mid 1800's, the family sold grapes and wines to other producers. Finally, in 1974 Sir Edmundo Navarro Correas, a direct descendant of Juan de Dios Correas, started to release wines under the family name.

Navarro Correas grows grapes in selected micro-climates in Mendoza, located at 2400 feet elevation. They grow various wine varietal grapes in areas such as Tunuyan, Tupungato, Maipu, Ugarteche, Pedriel and Agrelo.  They are are irrigated with the melted snows from the Andes slopes. Their Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from the regions of Tunuyan and Tupungato in the Uco Valley.

According to the merchant site, they say, "An aromatic melody of black currant, cherry and cassis rises above a harmonious backdrop of tobacco, mocha and toasty oak.  On the palate, juicy, dark berry fruit cascades across your tongue followed by a trickle of sweet spice and savory plums."

My comments - Deep dark purple color, medium-full bodied with huge floral and fruit aromas and flavors of black berry and blue berry fruits, a layer of sweet caramel, mocha chocolate and tones of oak, tobacco and spice. It opened with a hot layer of alcohol but this burned off over an hour but left a big strong layer of tangy tannin and acid that lingers on the pallet.

This was a perfect complement to a grilled steak with savory mashed potatoes and gravy.

RM 88

Friday, February 25, 2011

Sommelier Wines - Tasting

FernandoBetetaIts not every day you're served your wine by a Master Sommelier - especially at your local neighborhood wine shop. Well done, and nice touch by James and Charlene  Pontrelli of the local Wine Styles at Seven Bridges in nearby Woodridge (IL). 

At their weekly Thursday evening wine tasting they featured an imaginative selection of wines - produced, influenced or inspired by Master Sommeliers - and they brought in a Master Sommelier to present and serve the wines. Chicago's own Fernando Beteta, notably and formerly sommelier at NoMI was on hand representing the Sommelier inspired wines. He worked with James who also was Sommelier at NoMI.

A native of Guatemala, Beteta is the son of a restaurateur and great-grandson of Italian winemakers. He speaks English, Italian, French, Spanish and basic German. After attending hotel school in Switzerland, he worked in Rome, Florence, Sardinia and Thailand. Prior to arriving at NOMI in 2005, he was manager and sommelier of The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton Chicago.

ccCabernet Sauvignon and ccChardonnay were sourced from top quality fruit from some of California's most prestigious vineyards. We are able to take advantage of the availability and abundance of quality fruit that is released under this private label in these economical offerings. 

2007 cc: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Second time tasted with consistent notes - a bit tart and hard on initial opening - much softer and more approachable the next day. Full bodied - dark garnet color. Complex, slightly restrained blackberry fruits, spice, layer of cassis, hint of cedar with tones of mocha on a full lingering soft tannin finish.Full bodied - dark garnet color. RM - 91 points.

2007 Once Wines "The Table" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

"The Table" - a Napa Valley Bordeaux blended by sommeliers to be ready to accompany good food was the idea behind Once Wines' Sommelier Series - a contest in which a group of America's finest sommeliers competed in a friendly 'spirited' blending competition to create the perfect wine to serve with food. The wine rumoured to be for Tom Colicchio's Craft restaurants was sourced from four highly acclaimed Napa Valley vineyards. The 2007 "The Table" Cabernet Sauvignon was the winning blend - 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot - from last year's contest at San Francisco's Le Paulee, judged by one Master Sommelier and two French winemakers.RM - 90 points.


 "Young, but accessible, it's velvety and bright, the fruit tightly woven into the structure. Barely kissed with oak, it is a blend of Cabernet with 18% Cab Franc and a wee bit of Petit Verdot (barely 4%). All this, and it's just $28? I'd say it's a gift. Enjoy a bottle with steak frites, a standing rib roast or a nice stew." (LA Times, Wine of the Week, 3/11/10)

Dark garnet color - full bodied - black cherry fruits, slight tart red berry flavors with a hint cola and mocha on a moderate tannin lingering finish. RM 90.

2006 Añoro Malbec, Mendoza Argentina 

2006 Añoro Malbec is made from an average of 22 year old vines. It is composed of predominately Malbec but also has a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. The wine is aged 30% in new oak and 70% in one year old barrels.This wine is bright with white floral notes and fresh with intense blue and black berries. The wine is rich with texture and moderately high in acidity.

Anoro Malbec is a product from Master Sommelier Kenneth Fredrickson who selected the fruit for this release. He has owned several restaurants and wine retail stores.In 2002 he started Nevada Wine Agents a boutique wine and spirit wholesaler in Las Vegas which he sold to the Wirtz Beverage group in 2005.Today Ken is Vice President of Fine Wine and Business Development for the Wirtz Beverage Company in Chicago. He spends a good deal of time traveling internationally selecting brands, aligning brands and securing the product for distribution. 
Rated: 90 by Stephen Tanzer, Jan/Feb 10-Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Good medium ruby. Pure aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and violet; much more perfumed than the comparatively wild and slightly funky 2006 example. Silky, very ripe malbec, with very good lift and precision to the sweet cherry, mocha and truffle flavors. Finishes with a sexy note of baking chocolate and surprising grip. Roberto de la Mota, who also makes the Mendel wines, took over winemaking here with the 2008 vintage.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 91 points
Rick's rating - 89 points.

2005 Tour St Bonnet Medoc AOC Bordeaux 
The 2005 vintage was so good that even lesser class wines were very good. Parker called the Tour St Bonnet a sleeper of the vintage. This production has been in the same family for over a century. The wine exhibits a big floral essence with black cherry, slight leather and cigar box tones with moderate lingering tannins on the finish. A good value at less than $20.
 RM 88 points. 

Wine Styles Seven Bridges Sommelier Flight - 2-24-2011




  
The selection at Seven Bridges Wine Styles reflects careful and attentive discrimination of a sommelier and James and Charlene Pontrelli offer a diverse imaginative and quality selection. I was pleasantly surprised to see some favored boutique producers such as White Cottage and Venge, alongside favorite long time reliable producers such as Robert Craig, new emerging producers such as the new Liparita, Ladera, and Robert Carr. Its not just for the value shopper, you'll find serious wines for the collector and oenephile with premium product from producers such as AltaMira, Carter, Continuum and Dominus. Its not just a California set either, there were top shelf producers Mouton Rothschild and Sassicaia, too. But the most fun might be in the interesting rare hidden value gems selections such as Stratton Lummis, CC, and The Table, featured here. 

 I look forward to discovering more creative selections from these folks and to more imaginative and creative tastings there in the future. It may say Wine Styles on the sign, but Pontrelli's Seven Bridges' store offers some distinctive and interesting well sourced product beyond a franchise site. Its worth a visit.