Zuccardi Poliganos Malbec with pizza

 Zuccardi Poliganos Malbec with pizza 

Linda prepared a delicious homemade pizza with bacon, onion, chives, basil, honey cooked tomatoes and Parmesan. Following a delightful Malbec we had at lunch the other day, I pulled this Argentine Malbec for an accompaniment. As I have written often in these pages, an ideal food and wine pairing, such as this, accentuates and amplifies the enjoyment of both! 

Zuccardi San Pablo Poliganos Malbec 2021

Malbec is one of the five sanctioned Bordeaux varietals. It has found a home in Argentina where it has gained wide adoption and popularity as being ideally suited to the terroir there and is the number one grape varietal in the emerging burgeoning wine market.

We did a Malbec wine tasting with Linda’s woman’s social group last year wherein I wrote about the producer of this label, Zuccardi - Woman’s Social Group Argentine Wine Tasting.

One of those labels, like this one, was from the Zuccardi Family Winery in Maipú, Mendoza, Argentina. Today it is run by winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi whose grandfather planted the first grapevines in 1963 and has grown to become a leader in Argentine wine production.

From his father, José Alberto Zuccardi, Sebastián inherited the determination and desire to constantly strive for excellence.

Sebastián, third generation of the family, follows his father, José Alberto Zuccardi, leading a team of agricultural engineers and enologists, in producing some of the the highest quality wines in the Uco Valley.

The winery has had a research and development area since 2008, dedicated to studying the terroir and the diverse variables that affect wine quality. The goal, in Sebastián’s own words, is “not to strive for perfect wines, but wines that express the place, the region.”

The Zuccardi family have been exploring and experimenting with the potential of Malbec in the winery with new fermentation and aging vessels, and in the vineyard by challenging the accepted wisdom of the limits of viticulture and have moved their vines (and winery) closer to the Andes.

Poliganos is a family of Zuccardi wines, six white and six red from several sites across the Uco Valley representing a selection that expresses the particular characteristics of different terroirs within the Valley. 

The wines and the selection of vineyards account for the differences in altitude, soil and climate that characterize the subregions of San Pablo, Paraje Altamira and Tupungato. 

According to the rear label, the name “Poliganos refers to the many sides of a vineyard. Sebastián Zuccardi explores those many sides with grape selections from the micro regions of Mendoza, discovering how they impact the wines in their unique ways.”

Zuccardi Poligonos del Valle de Uco San Pablo Malbec 2021

This is 100% Malbec grapes from estate vineyards in the San Pablo Geographic Indication (GI), Tunuyán, Valle de Uco, Mendoza at 1,400m – one of the coolest regions in the Uco Valley.  Of all the Malbecs in the Polígonos range, the 2021 Polígonos San Pablo Malbec is the lighter and lowest in alcohol, coming from the cooler place, it is always the last Malbec to be harvested. A new addition to the Aluvional series is the 2021 Aluvional San Pablo, derived from vines planted in 2013 and entirely destemmed.

Located between 1,200 and 1,700 meters above sea level, and only 600 meters away from the mountain front, San Pablo has a cold and extreme climate, with very low minimum temperatures. Trees and streams abound in its landscape, configuring a true oasis in the foothills. Its alluvial soils originated in the Las Tunas River and present a layer of medium-sized gravel covered with calcareous material at approximately one meter deep. 

The whole Polígonos range represents very good value, all from owned vineyards that are worked organically but not certified. It is fermented with native yeasts in concrete vessels and aged in concrete.

This release was rated 95 by James Suckling and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 pts by Decanter and 93 pts by Vinous.

Winemaker Notes - “2021 was a great harvest. With cool and humid weather, the grape clusters had the necessary time to reach maturity with a perfect balance of sugar and acidity, and a strong tannin structure. Our meticulous work of separating plots and soil types for harvesting (which has been ongoing for over a decade) allowed us to harvest every corner of our vineyards at the perfect moment and thus showcase the great diversity that characterizes the Uco Valley.’

“Red in color with violet hues, the 2021 San Pablo Malbec expresses a great herbal character with notes of fresh red fruits. Lively acidity and subtlety of tannins in the mouth.”

This wine provides high QPR - Quality Price Ratio, being from Argentina, and being a Malbec, the least known varietal of the Bordeaux grapes. 

Deep inky garnet colored, full bodied, dense, rich, concentrated black berry and blue berry fruits accented by savory notes of black tea, herbs and tobacco leaf on a lively acidic tannin laced finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4533211

https://zuccardiwines.com/en/ 

Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard Argentina Cabernet Franc

Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard Argentina Cabernet Franc 2019

For our family birthday celebration dinner gathering, posted herein - Aged vintage wines for family birthday dinner, son Ryan brought from his home cellar (below) this single vineyard designated Cabernet Franc for tasting with the grilled beefsteaks. This extraordinary label release received two 100 points reviews by James Suckling and by Robert Parker. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate compared it to a great vintage of Chateau Lafleur, his “favorite Bordeaux”.

The wines of El Enemigo are from winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, and a historian, Adrianna Catena. They pay tribute to the European immigrants who first settled in Argentina to make wines as good as or finer than those of their old homelands. By 1936, Malbec and Petit Verdot were Argentina’s most widely planted varietals, and their blend was considered the ultimate in refinement and aging potential.

El Enemigo translates as ‘the enemy’, taking into account “the fact that at the end of any journey, most remember only one battle — the one fought within (the original enemy)”.

El Enemigo is produced at BESA, located in the Vista Flores district in Tunuyán, Mendoza. The facility is named for the unique aspect of Mendoza’s high-altitude winemaking region nestled in the foothills of the Andes Mountains.

Winemaker and co-owner Alejandro Vigil is a soil expert, winemaker, and agronomist. He is also the Chief Winemaker at Bodega Catena Zapata, the former head of the soil division at Argentina’s Wine Institute, and the former head of the soil division of INTA.

Partner Adrianna Catena is the daughter of Nicolás Catena. She has a Master’s Degree in Early Modern Iberian Atlantic history from the University of Oxford. Her dream is to continue the family legacy of winemaking while pursuing her passion for history and writing from a cottage surrounded by vineyards in the Argentine Andes.

This label release is from the Gualtallary sub-appellation in the Mendoza Appellation in the Cuvo wine region of Argentina. Mendoza is Argentina’s largest and best-known winemaking province. responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. 

Mendoza is set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains where the climate is dry and continental. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines. 

Mendoza is best known for Malbec, the most prolific and popular varietal, originally a Bordelaise variety that was brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s. Also planted are the traditional Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and this Cabernet Franc, as well as Syrah and Pinot Noir, for the reds. Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

Bodega Aleanna 'Gran Enemigo' Gualtallary Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc Tupungato, Argentina 2019

This is a single vineyard designated bottling from the Gualtallary, Tupungato site. It sites in the Andes foothills at 4,822 ft (1470 m) elevation, a high density vineyard with10.000 plants per hectare in the rocky, limestone calcium rich calcareous, rocky soil, planted around 1997. It includes 5% Malbec in the blend  sourced from the same area within the north of Uco Valley. It was aged in French oak barrels new and 3rd use, and in 100-year-old foudre for 15 months.

Winemaker Notes - Gran Enemigo Gualtallary is bold, complex, and rich, with intense aromas of ripe blackberry, wood, olive, thyme, spice, and vanilla. Full-bodied and balanced with structured tannins, good acidity, and a long finish. Certified Sustainable by Bodegas de Argentina. Gran Enemigo Gualtallary is excellent with grilled meats and various cheeses.

 

This was rated 100 points by north James Suckling and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, who also gave 100 points to the 2013 release. At 100 points, this is one of the finest vintages for this single-vineyard blend of Cabernet Franc with some 15% Malbec.

It was rated 97 points by Vinous, 95 by Descorchados and Tin Atkins, and 94 by Wine Spectator.

Cellartrackers gave this an average of 94.6 points, high marks indeed for CT, who typically moderate the pundits awards. See https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4506689.

Like other highly rated wines, this is more about the lack of any retractions or faults than it is about predominant high notes. 

Displays a deep purple color, medium to full bodied, round, elegantly balanced, smooth and polished, bright vibrant tangy acidity on the juicy huckleberry and blackberry fruits with notes of spice, ash,  hints of mountain herbs, mint and cassis, with dry chalky texture on fine-grained tannins laced flavorful complex finish. 

RM 93 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4506689

https://enemigowines.com/

Waygu Beef and Mendoza Cab Franc at Entourage Lunch

Waygu Beef and Mendoza Cab Franc at Entourage Lunch

After watching grandson Miles play youth basketball, we diner for Saturday lunch at Entourage Restaurant DG (Downers Grove, IL), which is fast becoming our favorite local restaurant. 

With somewhat limited seating, and growing popularity, it’s becoming a tough seat for dinner so mid-afternoon is a smart time to visit Entourage for easier access seating, such as was the case today, in the dining room and at the bar. 

I ordered from the Day’s Specials menu the Waygu Beef Stroganoff. Like their Signature Waygu meatloaf entree, this could easily become my favorite go-to dish - delicious in all respects. 

PS note - we dined there again the following Saturday and this was no longer offered, but we were told it was hugely popular and got rave reviews, such that they were considering bringing it back, if not for an encore, perhaps as a permanent feature. 

For my Waygu Beef, I ordered from the WBTG selections this Bordeaux varietal Cabernet Franc from Argentina. 

Archaval Ferrer Mendoza Cabernet Franc 2022

This is from the prolific producer Achaval Ferrar, considered one of the finest wineries of Argentina. They have established an international reputation for Bordeaux-style reds, which include Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and this Cabernet Franc. 

 

This is from the Mendoza province of Argentina, by far the largest and best-known winemaking province, it is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. It lies in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains where the climate is dry and continental, which has proven ideal for viticulture. 

Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, which has emerged as the source of some of the country’s finest wines.

While Mendoza is known primarily for Malbec, the most widely grown grape varietal, but all the Bordeaux varietals are commonly grown here. The Bordelaise varietals were brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, where they found success due to the ideal climate and consistent growing seasons. Besides Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc as well as Syrah and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here. 

Cabernet Franc has found the height of Valle de Uco as an ideal place to develop fully. The great exposure to the sun and the cold mountain breeze give it harmony and structure, resulting in a wine with a wide range of aromas and flavors. It delivers herbal and spicy notes, from black fruits to the freshness of tomato leaves and rosemary, with a strong presence of peppers and menthols. 

This 100% Cabernet Franc comes from high-altitude vineyards in Tupungato, which offer excellent sun exposure and cool mountain breezes. These attributes allow the grapes to ripen under ideal conditions. 

This was aged for 13 months in new French oak barrels.

It was awarded 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast and 90 points by James Suckling  

This was a nice complement to the Waygu Beef and mushrooms and a nice value, available BTG - By The Glass. 

Dark garnet colored, medium to full bodied, rich, dense, savory ripe black berry fruits with accents of tobacco leaf, cassis and spices with approachable moderate tannins on the finish.

RM 90 points. 

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/4940241

https://entouragerestaurant.com/downers-grove/

Woman’s Social Group Argentine Wine Tasting

Woman’s Social Group Wine Tasting Features Argentine Wines

Linda’s social organization’ s wine group held a wine tasting focused on Argentine wines and I was invited to curate the evening. 

Hostess Linda S prepared an extensive selection of charcuterie for pairing with the wines - cheese, chocolates, sliced beef, chicken wings and fresh berries, mixed nuts and vegetables.

Each of the ladies brought a bottle to share and compare and Julie also brought a couple of Argentine White Wines to set the stage and open the evening. 

The red wine flight

The ladies and their wines

The main wine flight featured an interesting selection that included the signature Argentine varietal Malbec as well as a couple of Bordeaux varietal blends. 

Argentina has emerged as a major wine producing region in the ‘new world’ due to its remarkable combination and wide range of natural resources and landscapes suited for wine production.

The primary and most important wine producing province of Argentina is Mendoza. The proximity to the Andes mountain range defines the climate in the area, which is ideal for viticulture. The lack of humid winds, blocked by the Andes mountains , the altitude, the continental climate, the heterogeneity of the soils and the snowmelt are determining factors in the production of premium wines.

Malbec is the predominant grape varietal grown in Argentina although all of the Bordeaux varietals are grown there - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, as well as Syrah and some limited amounts of Burgundian varietals Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and, some lesser known unique varietals such as Ancellotta, Caladoc and Torrontes, featured below, that are well suited to the locale and terroir.  

We had a spectacular ultra-premium Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina Malbec last year, a project of an American producer, that rivaled the best American and French wines, so I was open to high expectations, albeit being mindful and realistic of the price points of these more standard selections. I wrote about that top rated wine - Viña Cobos, Vineyard Designate Malbec, Marchiori Estate, Luján de Cuyo, Argentina, 2019 in this blogpost in these pages.

Several major French Bordeaux, as well as American producers have invested in the region. As they gain more experience and learn from research and results, watch for quality and sophistication of these wines to continue to improve. In the meantime, they provide some great wines with generally high QPR - quality to price ratios.

We started with two diverse white wines.

Zolo Torrontes 2021

This Argentinian white wine is comprised of Torrontes, an Argentine varietal white grape.  This winery is owned by Argentine wine luminary Patricia Ortiz, owner of three Argentine wineries, one of Mendoza’s top ambassadors to the world and in 2019, she was the first female President of Bodegas de Argentina, the leading trade association. She is profiled further as part of the review of her Wapisa Winery below.

Winemaker Notes - “Pale yellow with green hues. Delicate aromas of floral and citrus notes. On the palate is fresh, sweet and balanced. An excellent example of Torrontes.”

This was rated 90 points by reviewer James Suckling. 

I found this a slight bit off-putting with aromas of tennis ball rubber and a rather flabby character. Light straw colored, light medium bodied, notes of lychee and citrus fruits with hints of peach and pineapple with a crisp acidic finish. 

RM 87 points. 

We then moved to this interesting White instantiation of the traditional varietal of Argentina, Malbec.

Artesano de Argento Mendoza Agrelo White Malbec 2023

Julie brought this interesting white Malbec to try with the focus on Argentina and their predominance of the grape varietal Malbec. 

This is a white Malbec from the Agrelo Vineyard in the area of the same name in the subregion of Lujan de Cuyo in the Mendoza region.

It was rated 90 points by James Suckling and 89 points by Vinous. 

Pale straw and light green colored, light medium bodied, notes of green apple with hints of lime citrus and peach with crisp dry finish. 

RM 88 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?5002334

https://bodegaargento.com/usa/

Moving to the reds, we started with the two  Bordeaux Blends since their increased breadth and complexity required more discernment than the bigger, deeper and bolder single varietal labels. 

Clos de los Sieti Valle di Ucca Mendoza by Michel Rolland 

This was a delightful discovery brought by Treva and I was eager to try this wine crafted by Michael Rolland. It was recommended to her by a friend who knows the region and its wines well having visited and worked in wineries in the region as part of a personal sabbatical. 

This is a collaboration project of seven producers, friends and investors, spearheaded by legendary iconic Global wine expert Michael Rolland. It was founded in 1998 when Rolland and members of seven prominent French wine families purchased Campo Vista Flores and began producing wine at four distinct wineries there— Bodega Diamandes, Bodega Monteviejo, Mariflor, and Cuvelier los Andes. The original investors included Laurent Dassault, Benjamin de Rothschild, Edmond de Rothschild, Philippe Schell, Jean-Michel Arcaute, Catherine Pere-Verge, and the d’Aulan and Cuvelier families.

Michel Rolland is known globally as the "flying winemaker" due to his extensive travels as a consultant working for more than 150 wineries in fourteen countries on four continents in the northern and southern hemispheres. We love and collect his wines through his involvement with several producers including the Long Shadows Collector Series where he is contributing winemaker with the Pedestal, Merlot label. It was the showcase feature of this blogpost - Long Shadows Cellars feature world class winemakers and Columbia Valley fruit.

Born into a wine family in Bordeaux, Rolland grew up at Château Le Bon Pasteur in Pomerol. He graduated in 1972 with a degree in enology at the University of Bordeaux, where he met his wife and future partner, Dany. They established a wine laboratory and began consulting in 1985 serving far-flung notable clients such as Château l’Evangile, Château Figeac and Château La Conseillante in France, Harlan, Staglin, Screaming Eagle and Bond in the US, Italian producers Campo di Sasso, Ornellaia, and  Monteverro, and others in South Africa, Spain, India, and Casa Lapostolle in Chile and this project in Argentina.

Michel Rolland first went to Argentina in 1988 and fell in love with the country, convinced that all the conditions were right in Argentina to grow premier grapes from which to produce great wine.

Along with Jean Michel Arcaute, another Bordeau winegrower from Pomerol, they found an ideal plot of land about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Mendoza, the last city before reaching the Andes. Sitting at an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,600 feet), with soils made up of pebbles, clay and sand, which provides natural drainage with water from springs fed by melting snow and glaciers up in the Andes Mountains.

There they developed 2100 acres of vines where the roots penetrate the meter deep bed of gravel at the foot of the Andes Mountains, in the Uco Valley near Mendoza. 

The two originators were joined by winegrower friends to set out to producing one single wine under Michel Rolland’s supervision. They built four bodegas and shared production from each to make and blend the shared wine “Clos de los Siete”, the name and label recognize and commemorate the seven partners. The remaining production goes into the wines of their own respective ranges: Monteviejo, Cuvelier los Andes, DiamAndes and Bodega Rolland.

We’ve had the wines of Cuvelier los Andes, being fans of their classified premiere Bordeau Chateau Leoville Poyferre. We toured Château Leoville Poyferré in St Julien Bordeaux during our visit to the region, hence we were eager to taste this label from this producer collaboration.

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Malbec, which is the king of all grape varieties in Argentina, has been found to be best suited and therefore an obvious choice for these soil types. It occupies more than half the total area of the estate and is planted at an unusual density of 5,500 vines per hectare which provide rich concentrated fruit. To add complexity to the blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and a little less Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc are used alongside the Malbec. Each variety contributes its characteristic personality to the final blend.

This release of the estate wine Clos de Los Siete is composed or 55% Malbec, 16% Merlat, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 800,000 bottles were made.

Winemaker Notes - “Clos de los Siete's extraordinary terroir, with well-drained sandy-clay soil complemented by a good density of pebbles, has the particularity of containing the vines' growth and ensuring perfect maturity. The 2020 vintage has a deep ruby-red color and aromas of black fruit and plums combined with delicate floral notes. The palate is pleasantly powerful, with good length and elegant, silky tannins.”

This release was awarded 94 points by James Suckling and 91 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

This was bright Ruby colored, medium bodied, complex but nicely balanced and harmonious, ripe currant and blackberry fruits with notes of mineral, glycerin, herbs, creosote and dark bitter mocha chocolate, hints of pepper, cinnamon and vanilla, with soft smooth polished tannings on the moderate finish. 

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4786165

https://www.closdelossiete.com/en/

https://cuvelierlosandes.com/en/home-en/

We then tasted the other Bordeau blend comprised of three varietals. 

Mascato Mendoza Unánime Gran Vino Tinto 2018 

Julie brought this Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux Blend from Mascota Vineyards in the San Carlos zone toward the southern end of the Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina at the foot of the Andes Mountain range. Proprietor Rodolfo Sadler launched Mascota in Mendoza and has been crafting wines for nearly 30 years. 

Rodolfo “Opi” Sadler is a third generation Argentine winemaking pioneer known for his expertise in Cabernet Sauvignon in a country renowned for the quality of its Malbec. In 2018, Opi´s La Mascota Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 was named World’s Best Red Wine in the French competition Vinalies Internationales.

In addition to his award-winning highly rated Cabernet master winemaker Opi also produces a portfolio that includes Malbec, the leading varietal of Argentina, Bordeaux varietal Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Unánime label is his signature Cabernet, named for his “vision to produce wines that seek complete harmony and excellence, with an unbeatable quality reflected in each and every bottle. When this vision is shared by our team of winemakers, and endorsed by critics and consumers, the decision is Unanimous (Unánime).”

This release is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc and was aged fifteen months in oak barrels. . 

James Suckling gave this wine 95 points and 91 points from Wine Enthusiast. 

 

Dark ruby colored, medium full bodied, bold, expressive, complex, concentrated black berry fruits with notes of vanilla, spices, pepper, tobacco and chocolate with hints of cassis and toasted oak, silky tannins and crisp acidity on the lingering finish. 

RM 90 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?3705759

https://www.mascotavineyards.com/

Familia Zuccardi “Concreto” Malbec Mendoza 2021 

This is from the Zuccardi Family Winery in Maipú, Mendoza, Argentina. Today it is run by winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi whose grandfather planted the first grapevines in 1963 and has grown to become a leader in Argentine wine production.

From his father, José Alberto Zuccardi, Sebastián inherited the determination and desire to constantly strive for excellence.

Sebastián, third generation of the family, follows his father, José Alberto Zuccardi, leading a team of agricultural engineers and enologists, in producing some of the the highest quality wines in the Uco Valley.

The winery has had a research and development area since 2008, dedicated to studying the terroir and the diverse variables that affect wine quality. The goal, in Sebastián’s own words, is “not to strive for perfect wines, but wines that express the place, the region.”

The Zuccardi family have been exploring and experimenting with the potential of Malbec in the winery with new fermentation and aging vessels, and in the vineyard by challenging the accepted wisdom of the limits of viticulture and have moved their vines (and winery) closer to the Andes. 

This label, Concreto is named for their method of fermenting and aging the wine in Concrete (Concreto) and Amphora vessels in which they strive to express Malbec and their vineyards. They see it as a true expression of the limestone rich vineyards in the Paraje Altamira subregion with its distinctive “terroir”, that combination of elevation, sun exposure and the poor uniquely mineral soils. 

This is 100% Malbec, sourced from a 140 acre vineyard located next to their Piedra Infinita winery in Paraje Altamira, San Carlos, Valle de Uco at an altitude of 3000 feet. The area has been cultivated for more than eighty years and irrigated with waters from the Uco Channel, in the northern part of Paraje Altamira. In addition to Malbec it is also planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Ancellotta and Caladoc, other regional varietals. 

It was rated 95 by James Suckling, Vinous and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 92 by Wine Spectator and was wine #43 of the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2022.

They produced 47,000 bottles in this vintage. 

I don’t understand the huge ratings for this wine unless they are highlighting its purity. I was expecting more fruit. 

Deep purple and garnet colored, medium full bodied, smooth polished textured layers of ripe blue and black berry fruits accented by spice, herbs, mineral, black pepper notes with soft chalky tannins and acidity on the moderate finish. 

RM 90 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4524838

https://zuccardiwines.com/en/

Luca Uco Valley Mendoza Old Vine Malbec 2019

This is produced by Laura Catena, a fourth generation winemaker, daughter of legendary Argentine winermaker Nicolás Catena. In 1997 Laura, a Harvard and Stanford trained Biologist and Physician, joined Bodega Catena Zapata as Research Director. She learned there was a site with 80 year old vines from which the fruit that were being sold for bulk wine. In 1999, Laura Catena founded Luca Winery to explore the quality potential of small Old Vine family owned vineyards in the Uco Valley region of Mendoza.

She produces small quantity artisan, quality wines that are true to their individual terroirs. She works with some of Argentina's best fruit from low-yield, high elevation vineyards, applies state-of-the-art winemaking and oak aging, primarily French.  She applies rigorous vineyard management, viticultural experimentation, and strict irrigation controls to seek highest quality achievable. 

As a scientist she is devoted to the handicrafts of enology and viticulture. The rear label of her bottles set out her vision and quest - “Championing Argentine Wine, Studying High Altitude Wine-making, Discovering Mountain Terroir and the Quality of Light, Preserving Nature and Culture, Understanding Soil down to each Rock, insect, microbe, and Malbec Vine - Making Extraordinary Wines - Making History.”

She also produces Syrah, Beso de Dante, Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

This label, Luca, is named after Laura Catena's son. The branding on the label is the family crest of her husband, Dan’s McDermott family. 

Winemaker Notes - This is a great example of Mendoza Malbec. Incredible deep purple red color. Loads of spice and black and red cherry aromas with notes of chocolate. The berry flavors really pop on the palate as the wine has both a full mid palate and lively acidity that leads to an incredibly long finish. A bottom note of freshly brewed espresso keeps the mouth watering too.

This was rated 95 points by James Suckling, 93 points by Wine Spectator, 92 by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. 

It was #21 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2021.

 

Dark ruby garnet colored, medium full bodied, rich, round, deep and intense ripe unctuous blackberry fruits reflect the old vine character with notes of licorice, pepper, spice and bitter dark chocolate with hints of espresso with refined plush tannins and vibrant acidity on the finish. 

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4055263

http://www.lucawines.com/home.html

Antigal Uno Malbec 2020 

Antigal is one of the oldest wineries in Mendoza in production, tracing its roots as far back as 1897 when the original facilities were established in the historic colonial architecture.

The winery was completely refurbished in 2000 changing the producing profile from bulk to high quality premium wines by the current proprietors with the establishment of what is now Antigal winery and vineyards. The vineyards were planted in 2000 to 2003.

The winery’s first vintage was released in 2005, what has become its signature wine, branded number One or Uno in recognition of its Single Vineyard production. 

The company started exporting to the US market in 2007 and has established itself as a recognized brand for high QPR - Quality Price Ratio, quality Argentina grown Malbec, with its distinctive, characteristic metal number 1 affixed to the painted bottle. 

This is 100% Malbec sourced from the estate vineyard in Gualtallary, Tupungato in the Uco Valley, Mendoza. Sitting at an altitude of 3900 feet, the light, deep soils retain what little moisture they can, aided by drip irrigation from wells fed by the snow melt from the Andes Mountains. Average annual rainfall in the area is only about 7 inches.

This release was aged 8-10 months in French and American oak..

Winemaker Notes - “The 2020 vintage of Antigal UNO Malbec offers delicious plum, strawberry, and blackberry flavors with enticing hints of violets, vanilla, and milk chocolate. Brightened by carefully protected natural acidity, this violet-red wine has a silky texture and provides an agreeably persistent finish.”

“The exceptionally soft winemaking of hand-selected Malbec grapes from Antigal’s Uco Valley vineyards was made possible by the winery’s gravity-flow system. The care taken through all stages of the process from initial cluster-chilling through sorting, maceration, fermentation, and barrel aging — produced an unusually elegant Malbec with great balance and supple tannins.”

This release was rated  89 points by Wine Spectator.

Garnet colored, medium-bodied, plum and blackberry fruits are highlighted by violet floral notes with  subtle vanilla, mineral and rich dark chocolate notes on the firm finish.

RM 89 points. 

https://www.antigal.com/uno/

https://twitter.com/AntigalWinery

We closed out with this unique label.

Wapiso Rio Negro Patagonia Malbec 2022

This Argentine Malbec is from Patagonia, the village of  San Javier in the Rio Negro sub-region of Patagonia, in southern Argentina, just 25 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Patagonia’s wine regions are so far south, they’re the southernmost regions in the world. 

Patagonia is home to three important sub-regions, Rio Negro, Neuquén and La Pampa. Since the 1990s, there’s been an explosion of investment in the region that has attracted some of the biggest names in international premium winemaking. Río Negro is the only one that had any viticultural history before the 1990s. While its vineyard area is declining as growers swap quality for quantity, the vineyard land increased by 82 percent in the Neuquén subregion and by 73 percent in the La Pampa subregion between 2002 and 2012. 

The producer Wapisa is the only Coastal Winery that exists in this unique coastal terroir and is the only winery in Argentina to age wines under the sea inspired coastal influences. 

Wapisa is owned by Argentine entrepreneur Patricia Ortiz who is the owner and President of three wineries (Tapiz, Zolo (featured above), and Wapisa), and nine sustainably-farmed vineyards in different parts of Argentina. She was the first female president of Bodegas de Argentina, the industry trade group.

Patricia is also the owner of Mendoza's top lodging and spa destination: Club Tapiz. Club Tapiz is located in an estate built in 1890 surrounded by 22 acres of vineyards.

Patricia, who lived many years in the U.S. and speaks fluent English, is one of Mendoza’s top ambassadors to the world. In 2019 she became the first female President of Bodegas de Argentina and in 2023 she was nominated by Wine Enthusiast as Executive of the Year.

With Wapisa and its close proximity to the sea, Patricia Ortiz decided to incorporate the ocean into the aging process taking advantage of the pressurized atmosphere with its moderated constant temperatures that provide perfect conditions for aging wines.

The Wapisa estate vineyard “Finca Los Acantilados” stands out for its lime clay soils, good acidity and little organic matter. The terroir is complemented by the outstanding thermal amplitude, highlighted by cool maritime breezes that sweep over the vineyards at night, leading to balanced and fruity wines with a touch of salinity and a delicate varietal expression. Master of Wine Tim Atkin calls this “the new Argentina.”

The region’s best vineyards are in High Valley, one of three valleys formed by the Colorado River. They’re planted on Andean foothill slopes between 300 and 500 meters (985 to 1,640 feet) above sea level, which allows the grapes to be cooled by Andean winds rather than altitude. Patagonia’s wide diurnal temperature swings also make it an inviting region for white varieties as well.

The popular white varieties are Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay with a distinct regional flair. While Patagonia’s predominant grape is Malbec, Argentina’s signature red grape, comprising about 40 percent of the more than 11,000 acres of cultivated vineyards, in Río Negro, Malbec is less than a quarter of its total production, with the rest being the white varietals.

“Wapisa” is the indigenous Patagonian word for “whale.” Not only do whales frequent the nearby coast of our vineyards, but local legend talks of a Wapisa that actually lived on land. Living the legend, Wapisa wines are an expression not just of their soils but of the nearby ocean and its coastal marine influences.

In addition to their primary label, Malbec, Wapisa also produce Cabernet Sauvignon, some Pinot Noir and white wine Sauvignon Blanc. 

Their 2022 Malbec was rated 94 points by James Suckling.

Winemaker Notes - “Bright red color with intense violet tints. Aromas of fruits such as black plums and blackberries stand out. The aging in oak provides spicy and chocolate aromas. The palate is complex and tasty with ripe tannins and a balanced acidity.”

Bright Ruby colored, medium bodied, round and vibrant yet smooth and delicately balanced black and blue berry fruits are accented by cassis, pepper, lavender and notes of mocha chocolate and spice with hints of mint on a moderate fine tannin laced finish. 

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4939830

https://vinodelsol.com/thewineries/wapisa/

https://x.com/unwindwine

Q39 BBQ KC and Altocedro Malbec

Q39 BBQ Kansas City and Altodecro Malbec for a perfect lunch food and wine pairing 

Visiting Kansas City, we sought authentic BBQ and were directed to Q39 BBQ, trendy BBQ eaterie on 39th Street in Kansas City’s Midtown, between the historic Westport neighborhood and the vibrant Crossroads arts district. 

Q39 Midtown features a rustic-urban style with an energetic bustling dining area, and friendly full-service bar. This is what BBQ in Kansas City is supposed to look like.

Q39 is Kansas City BBQ offers fresh ingredients, sliced-to-order brisket straight from the smoker, Certified Angus Beef burgers ground in-house daily, and wood-fired grill plates served from flame to table. 

Founded in 2014 by the late Rob Magee, who found a passion for cooking at an early age and went on to acquire the highest level culinary skills with a degree from the acclaimed Culinary Institute of America. Chef Rob went on to work in some of the finest kitchens across the country and sought to showcase the tastes of whatever region he was in. 

In 2000, Chef Rob moved to Kansas City to work as an Executive Chef for Hilton Hotels. He became obsessed with mastering the art of KC barbeque and in his spare time, assembled a competition barbeque team. Over the following decade, they ascended to the highest level of competitive barbeque in events across the country winning dozens of local competitions and national championships receiving numerous award and honors. There is a trophy case in the dining room that holds many of their ribbons and trophies from such competitions. 

Magee passed on in 2021 after a long battle with cancer but his legacy is continues, spearheaded by Executive Chef Philip Thompson, who brings the same determination, leadership and culinary skills, having worked for years abroad in some of the finest restaurants. Like Chef Rob, Chef Philip is a classically trained chef and spent 15 years as an executive chef at Hilton Hotels.

I ordered the Certified Angus Beef® Brisket - sliced smoked brisket and burnt ends with classic BBQ sauce with a side of baked potatoes. It was delicious, perhaps the best beef brisket I’ve ever had, or as good as. We also ordered a side of the string onion rings. 

For a wine accompaniment I ordered WBTG - Wine-By-the-Glass - an Argentinian Malbec. It was a fantastic pairing. 

Altocedro "Año Cero" Malbec, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

Altocedro was founded in 1999 by visionary Karim Mussi. Third generation Lebanese immigrant, Karim and his family pioneered La Consulta, Uco Valley as a special place to make “born and raised” wines. 

Twenty years later, in 2019, Karim’s crazy idea became conventional wisdom when La Consulta was classified as one of Argentina’s few Geographic Indication (GI) Appellations. Altocedro is synonymous with outstanding La Consulta wine. Original old vine rootstocks, indigenous yeasts, hundred year-old concrete fermentation tanks, and Karim’s minimalist winemaking create true terroir-driven wines. 

Altocedro a family-owned and operated winery founded in 1999 by visionary Karim Mussi, a third generation Lebanese immigrant, Karim and his family pioneered La Consulta, Uco Valley as a special place to make “born and raised” wines. Located in the heart of what has emerged as the best place in Argentina to grow Malbec the Altocedro winery and vineyards are located in the growing region of La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, one of the premier Argentine growing zones. La Consulta is located in the high altitudes of Mendoza sitting at 3300 feet elevation with long, warm summer days and incredibly cool nights that help Malbec vines build gorgeously pure, deeply ripe, and intense fruit flavors. 

Twenty years later, in 2019, Karim’s vision and pursuit was realized when La Consulta was classified as one of Argentina’s few Geographic Indication (GI) Appellations. Altocedro has become synonymous with outstanding La Consulta wine. 

Winemaker strived for this terroir-driven Malbec to be fresh, fruit-forward, and easy to drink. Altocedro means “tall cedar,” and represents both winemaker and owner Karim Mussi Saffie’s Lebanese-Argentine heritage, and a cedar tree which towers over the winery.  The name Altocedro pays homage to Karim’s roots. Cedar trees are considered sacred in the Lebanese culture, and they surround the Altocedro winery and estate vineyard. Altocedro branding features wine labels with a cedar tree on each label. 

Owner producer and winemaker Karim Mussi Saffie focuses on producing terroir-driven wines. Limiting production with sustainable growing practices and superb terroir has made Altocedro’ wines a cult-type wine in Argentina. 

La Consulta’s original old vine rootstocks today range up to 100 years of age! Using grapes from different subzones, indigenous yeasts, hundred year-old concrete fermentation tanks, and Karim’s minimalist winemaking create true terroir-driven wines. The name Altocedro pays homage to Karim’s roots. Cedar trees are considered sacred in the Lebanese culture, and they surround the Altocedro winery and estate vineyard.

The 2022 Altocedro 'Ano Cero' Malbec is 100% Malbec from vines that are over 30 years old. The farming is sustainably done by hand with all fermentations by native yeast. 30% of the wine was aged in French oak for 12 months and the wine was bottled unfiltered. 

All harvesting, sorting, and crushing are done in individual batches by hand using no machinery in the process. The vines range up to 70 years of age, with only 1,600 plants per acre, and strict harvesting of only 1.2 kg of grapes per vine. The extract is done with a gravity flow system developed at the winery over 100 years ago. One-third of the volume was matured in French and American oak barrels for 10 months.

Winemaker notes - “The nose opens up with a whole array of fresh summer berries; blueberry and raspberry with ripe plum and macerated strawberry. The aromatics show expressive hints of savory cracked pepper and flowers layered with hints of fresh herb, a touch of chocolate, and toasted vanilla. This wine is absolutely juicy with a balance between the rich fruit and zippy acidity!”

The 2022 vintage release was awarded 95 Points & Gold Medal at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards, 91 points by James Suckling and 90 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

This was a spectacular wine representing extraordinary QPR - an excellent WBTG (Wine-by-the-glass) winelist offering, a perfect pairing with the hearty robust BBQ!

Dark purple colored, full bodied, concentrated, full, round, forward extracted juicy blackberry and black cherry and plum fruits with notes of floral, earthy cedar and pepper with chewy tannins on a full long finish. 

RM 92 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4785656

Returning home, I checked Binny’s, our local beverage superstore, and they have three bottles of the 20 vintage of this label in stock which I intend to go grab today. 

https://vinodelsol.com/thewineries/altocedro/

https://q39kc.com/

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

El Che Wine Paired Dinner

El Che Wine Paired Dinner 

I prepared an extensive background on each of these producers and wines and Blogspot erase it. We had a business partner team dinner at El Che Restaurant and had the chef's table family style dinner with the curated wine flight pairing with each course, including the dessert course.

The wine flight served with the courses. 

• Viñedos Veramonte, Ritual Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile 2019
• Errazuriz Reserve Mendoza, Chile, Chardonnay 2019
• Viña Alicia Malbec 2018
• Mendel Unus Malbec Blend 2019 
• Pablo Fallabrino 'Alcyon' Tannat NV Altantida, Uruguay 
  

I researched and prepared an extensive background on each of these producers and wines and Blogspot erased it, something it tends to do occasionally. I lost at least six hours of effort. Shame on me for not creating multiple instances and back-up copies, but that isnt supposed to be required when working in the cloud. So be it, forgive the mea culpa and exasperation. 

Viñedos Veramonte Ritual Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile 2019

The organic Ritual estate is part of Viñedos Veramonte, owned by Spanish sherry maker González Byass. The Veramonte estate is located in the far eastern end of the Casablanca Valley in Chile. The vineyards are located on the northwestern side of Chile’s coastal range, less than 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean where they are heavily influenced by the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean and Humbolt Current which provides ideal growing conditions for cool-climate wines. The vineyards are surrounded by 6000 acres of native forest, creating a balanced, biodiverse landscape for healthy vines to thrive alongside natural wildlife corridors and native vegetation. 

Ritual is a project of the wll known and highly regarded winemakers Paul Hobbs and Agustin Huneeus (Napa Valley Quintessa and Prisoner Wine Company). 

The grapes of this Sauvignon Blanc come three different plots: Gloria and Mauco, which are pure expression of our native forest, and Terrazas, which showcases the minerality of the Coastal Mountain Range. Three parcels that show the best expression of this variety in Casablanca.

Ritual, lead by winemaker Sofia Araya produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Born and raised in Chile, Sofía was inspired to become a winemaker by the surrounding views of vineyards in her grandfather's farm. She studied at Universidad de Chile, and during university worked with the winemaking team in Casa Lapostolle in the Colchagua Valley. Later on she spent four years at Luis Felipe Edwards, in the same valley, and finally at Aresti Vineyard in Curicó Valley, before becoming an assistant winemaker at Viñedos Veramonte in 2009.

Classic sauv blanc with minerality you would expect from France rather than New World effort, Chilean wines are emerging to out-perform and provide superb QPR (quality-price ratio.

Winemaker Notes: "Intense citrus and floral notes are combined with flavors of white peaches and nectarines that are enhanced by a well-integrated acidy. Long and vibrant with an impeccable clean smooth finish."

This label was rated 92 points by James Suckling and 91 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

Straw colored , medium bodied, textured, concentrated and complex notes of green apple, lime zest, pineapple, flint , mineral and stone with bright acidity.

RM 88 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3924748

Viña Alicia Malbec 2018 

Terrada & Anchorena, Mayor Drummond, Mendoza

Impressive dark fruits, with underlying savory edginess and slight hint of fresh violets on the nose. Palate is concentrated and expansive, without being overbearing and oppressive. Ample weight, but not a sledgehammer, retaining good drive and focus and even lift. Gorgeous, silky smooth tannins on the finish.
12 months in french oak

Mendel Unus Malbec Blend 2019 

Viñedos y Bodega Mendel arises from the union of Roberto de la Mota, one of the most respected and experienced Argentine winemakers, with an Argentine family committed to obtaining wines of the highest quality. Our search is to express the singular character of our vineyards and the incomparable attributes of the Mendoza terroir.

 

Roberto likes to joke that he was born in a winery, since his winemaking education and training began long before he studied at the National University of Cuyo. He took his first steps at the hands of his father, the most famous Argentine winemaker, Don Raúl de la Mota. 

After completing his studies in Montpellier, France, and managing one of the most important wineries in the country, Roberto was able to fulfill the dream of owning his own winery since 2002 with Mendel Wines.

 

Our old 1928 Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are located in Perdriel and Mayor Drummond, Luján de Cuyo.
We also have Cabernet Franc, Semillon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon in our Finca Remota vineyards located in Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco. Our vineyards are located between 900 and 1,150 meters above sea level, in the best and highest irrigated lands of Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco, Mendoza.

Vineyard is located in Mayor Drummond, Luján de Cuyo, at 950 meters above sea level. It has a sandy loam and calcareous soil of alluvial origin, with good drainage. The climate is cold in winter and mild in summer, with a temperature range of 15 °C between day and night, which allows us to have optimum maturity. The average annual rainfall is 200 mm. We have 4 plots with drip irrigation and the rest with surface irrigation. Here are 11 hectares of massal selection Malbec planted in 1928; 2 hectares of Petit Verdot (both trellised varieties) and a small Tempranillo vineyard.

This is a blend of  65% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot.

VINEYARD
-Estates: Finca Drummond and Finca de Los Andes in Luján de Cuyo and Altamira in Uco Valley.
-Terroir and Altitude: Drummond, at 980 meters above sea level; ungrafted grapevines
grow on shallow, very permeable sandy silt soils. Perdriel, at 980 meters above sea
level; shallow, stony soils of great drainage. Altamira, at 1,100 meters above sea level;
ungrafted grapevines grow on sandy loam soils set on massive calcareous blocks.
-Planting Year: The Malbec vines date from 1928-1930. The Cabernet Sauvignon in
Perdriel was planted in 1994.
-Varietal selections: Malbec Luján and Altamira, Cabernet Sauvignon clone 337, Petit
Verdot Margaux selection.
-Yield: between 4,500 kilos and 5,500 kilos per hectare.

-Color: Dark intense red, purple at the rim.
-Nose: Complex and multi-layered. Before being swirled, the wine exhibits fresh fruit
aromas like black cherries, plums, blackberries and cassis. Once swirled, it displays spices
such as pink peppercorn, cedarwood, chocolate scents, vanilla and blond tobacco.
-Palate: It is a harmonious and mouth-lling wine which feels meaty and unctuous, with
rened and round tannins. The Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend contributes tannic
structure and a spicy core while the Malbec oers unctuousness, roundness and fruit
and the Petit Verdot, body and licorice. The aromatic complexity on the nose echoes
on the palate and makes it incredibly long. The acidity in this elegant wine ensures
freshness and great cellaring capacity.

Production limited to 17,000 bottles.

CT'er - By the glass. I honestly don’t understand so much expectation according to what this bottle has offering, with concentration and an absurd intensity. Overwhelming structure with abundant fruit in the form of memories of cassis. I am never interested in such power without margin for some terroir. It is overwhelming.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4050743

https://mendel.com.ar/en/

https://twitter.com/mendelwines

 

Pablo Fallabrino 'Alcyon' 'Anarkia', Tannat 2018 Altantida Uruguay

 Viñedo de los Vientos is located 4 km’s from the Atlantic Ocean in Atlantida Uruguay, a sub region of Canelones, one of the coolest growing regions in Uruguay. Pablo Fallabrino is the owner, grower and winemaker of Viñedo de los Vientos and he lives on the estate with his wife and two children. His grandfather, Angelo Fallabrino immigrated to Uruguay in 1920 from Piedmont and planted 5 vineyards and started 2 wineries in the 1930’s. Pablo studied with both his father and grandfather and eventually started the current, single vineyard estate in 1997 where they currently have 12 hectares under vine on their 30 hectare estate. Viñedo de los Vientos produces mostly Piedmontese varietals in addition to Tannat and their wines typically show an old world, nuanced style. Pablo is also an avid surfer.

VINEYARD
It comes from a 17ha vineyard, located next to the coast, where the River Plate estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean. Soils are made of calcareous white and brown clays.
VITICULTURE
Using no insecticide and dry no-till farming, the family practices sustainable farming.
Minimal intervention viticulture. Hand harvested.
WINEMAKING
This unique wine combines two different techniques for dessert wines, Barolo chinato and Marsala; it is fortified and aromatized.
16%ABV
TASTING NOTES
Honey like texture. Aromas of winter flowers, Madagascan vanilla bean, white cacao souffle, dark cherries. Savory and longsome finish.

 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4397210

Errazizus Mendoza Reserve Chardonnay 2019 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3790827

Viña Alicia Malbec 2018

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4397210 

 

https://ritualwines.cl/en/

Cadence Kitchen DG for great food-wine

Cadence Kitchen DG for great food-wine in trendy casual setting

For a casual midweek dinner we dined at Cadence Kitchen in nearby downtown Downers Grove, (IL). Our kids have been there and gave it high marks so we wanted to check it out. Cadence sits in a delightful park like promenade setting in the block-long condo building immediately opposite the DG Metra train stop. 

Cadence Kitchen is bustling with commuters, local foodies and casual diners and offers a well thought out menu of small plates, sandwiches, salads, sides and 'mains' with a respectable appropriate wine list that also includes WBTG - Wines By The Glass, for each food selection. Its trendy bright and airy with sections by the fireplaces that can be cozy and warm.

We started with their signature Crab Beignets, old bay, jumbo lump crab, and for a main course, the Red Wine Braised Short Rib with smoked gouda polenta and roasted root vegetables. We also ordered a side of their creamed spinach. All were delicious and ideally accentuated by our WBTG accompaniments. 

While the wine list was limited, it offers an appropriate selection of varietals, regions and price points. The full bottles tended to be 'restaurant' pricing (2+ times retail price), but the lower more value priced WBTG were carefully selected so as to provide great QPR - Quality Price Ratio offerings. 

Indeed, my red wine Santa Julia Reserva Malbec from Argentina was a fabulous pairing with the Short Rib entree at a great value, such that if I could find it a local merchant I would run out and buy several bottles for every day casual sipping. 

Linda's selection of the Alsatian Pinot Blanc was an ideal pairing with the Crab and the spinach. I write often in these pages about the merit and importance of effectively pairing the right wine with food thereby amplifying the enjoyment of both.

Santa Julia Reserva Valle de Uco Mendoza Malbec 2019

Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2019 is from Santa Julia estate vineyards in Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, Argentina. Valle de Uco is a viticultural region southwest of Mendoza, in Argentina situated along the Tunuyán River and is considered one of the top wine regions in Mendoza, and all of Argentina. 

Their vineyards sit at 1000 to 1400 meters above sea level with deep sandy loam soils and  a cool temperate micro-climate, and in stony soils on the banks of the Tunuyan river.

The combination of cool climate, heterogeneous soils, and altitudes as high as 1400 meters above sea level, and a rich tradition of grape cultivation, make this region a unique and ideal place with distinguishable terroir for producing wines born at the foot of the Andes Mountains. 

The ideal climate and altitude, along with great sun exposure and low temperatures allowing for ideal long growing season produces grapes with that introduce great concentration of flavor, freshness and marked texture in the wines. 

“Who is Santa Julia?” This is one of the very first wines made by the Zuccardi family is named after Julia Zuccardi. Julia is the only daughter of José Zuccardi, current director of Familia Zuccardi. The family has been making wines since her grandfather planted his first vineyards in Mendoza more than 50 years ago. Ever since, Zuccardi have strived to produce wines that express the uniqueness of their place in the region using practices that show respect for the environment. 

Santa Julia Malbec Reserva 2019 was aged in older French Oak barrels over 3 periods of 10 months before final blend. 

This Santa Julia Malbec Reserva 2019 was rated 93 by James Suckling, 90 by Wine Advocate and Vinous gave it 89 points.

Winemaker's notes: "Dark violet and brilliant purple color. Good complexity in the nose with typical Malbec aromas of ripe fruits such as figs, plums, blackberries and marmaledes. Notes of vanilla, tobacco, coffee and chocolate. Full bodied red wine with sweet tannins, good structure and a long finish." Some complexity in a very approachable style, with bright fruit and a tender texture. 800,000 bottles produced.

Dark garnet inky purple colored, medium-to full-bodied, bright expressive plum and red currant fruits with a notes of floral on a layer of moderate chalk and sprites of tangy spice and hints of oak with fine tannins on the moderate lingering finish. 

RM 90 points.

https://santajulia.com.ar/en/

 

https://twitter.com/SantaJuliaArg

@SantaJuliaARG

 

Dopff & Irion La cuvée Rene Dopff Alsace Pinot Blanc

 

A perfect pairing with the Crab Biegnet was this 100% Pinot Blanc from the historic Alsace region in eastern France near the German border. The producer, the Dopff and Irion families and their estate vineyards can be traced back to the 16th century. The vineyard and Chateau de Riquewihr were constructed in 1549 and were originally owned by the Princes of Wurtemberg, who ruled over the city and its region for five centuries. Today, the village of Riquewihr is dubbed “the pearl of Alsace”.

Dopff & Irion cultivate 140 acres of vines at Riquewihr, which is a large estate relative to the fragmented structure of the vineyards in Alsace with some 60% of producers farming less than one hectare (2.5 acres).

The area around Riquewihr benefits from natural conditions ideally suited for wine grape vines with climate that allows perfectly to slow ripening of the grapes. The diversity of the geological formations makes Alsace one of the most complex wine growing regions in the world. The Vosges mountains to the west minimize the oceanic influence while the famous Schoenenbourg ridge to the north offers protection from the cold north winds.

 

Riquewihr’s vineyards sit on one of the principal geological fractures in Alsace. A broad diversity of soils and subsoils (marl, limestone, gypsum, clay, sandstone) allows for multiple expressions of terroir for producing wines. The experience gained over generations of winegrowers with the vines has resulted in optimally matching the best possible grape variety to the site and its terroir - that expression of place - soil, climate, topology - all elements that manifest in the wine. The result is that Château de Riquewihr produces five A.O.C. Alsace wines, each one made from a specific grape variety sourced from grapes best suited to represent their site of origin.

René Dopff took over Dopff & Irion in 1945. He broke away from the traditional winemaking techniques and turned his focus to the terroir rather than to the grape variety. He divided the vineyard at Château de Riquewihr into four estates, which he re-christened with typically French names: Les Murailles, Les Sorcières, Les Maquisards and Les Amandiers. 

He simplified the branding with clearer labeling, abandoning gothic lettering in favor of simpler more contemporary script. He produced wines, made solely from the four noble grape varieties of Alsace, expressing the terroir that was the soul of the estate with each estate was dedicated to one particular variety.  

René Dopff then promoted his wines to the best tables in France and beyond, gaining representation at the Palais de l’Elysée, the French President’s residence, and for the launch of the luxury liner, “France”.

The Dopff & Irion brand has grown and continues to build on its legacy and historic traditions producing wines from the vines that best exemplify the region. 

Cuvée René Dopff  is produced with the grapes sourced from 200 selected vine-growers and is comprised of 100% Pinot Blanc varietal grape. 

This was pale yellow-gold colored, light medium bodied, round, soft, nicely balanced with fresh notes of fruity citrus, pear, hints of pineapple and white pepper with a moderate spicy acidic finish. 

 

RM 88 points 

 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3948850 

https://www.dreyfusashby.com/dopff-irion/

 

https://cadencekitchen.co/