Category Archives: Wine 101

Concha Y Toro

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Don Melchor Amelia Carmín de Peumo 
Concha Y Toro Is an amazing winery, they have a wine making team for each brand of wine that they make and each team is personally responsible for the total wine making of that particular brand of wine.

Located in the upper Maipo Valley, at the foot of the Andes, and 650 meters above sea level, the Puente Alto vineyard has ideal climatic and geographical conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon.

A true representative of the Puente Alto vineyard is Don Melchor, the first world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. “The terroir of Puente Alto is what gives the characteristic fruit expression, elegance and tannin quality of Don Melchor”, explains Enrique Tirado, enologist of this icon.

– See more at: http://www.conchaytoro.com/web/magazine/harvest-notes-in-puente-alto/#sthash.CbVgIRsO.dpuf

Located in the upper Maipo Valley, at the foot of the Andes, and 650 meters above sea level, the Puente Alto vineyard has ideal climatic and geographical conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon.

A true representative of the Puente Alto vineyard is Don Melchor, a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. “The terroir of Puente Alto is what gives the characteristic fruit expression, elegance and tannin quality of Don Melchor”, explains Enrique Tirado, head of the wine making team for Don Melchor.

During my visit I tasted through the 05, 09, the next release vintage of Melchor 2013, in the blending stage. This is the wine that Concha Y Toro wants to enter into the rare class of Cult status.  The wines that I tasted through are outstanding and if they continue to develop more innovative wine making techniques it’s very possible for their dreams to come through.

Chile’s first ultra-premium wine, is the only one with 23 vintages to its credit, all prize-winning and renowned by world critics. Don Melchor is the maximum exponent of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, and places Chile as one of the world’s great producers of Cabernet Sauvignon.

They do make white wine at Concha Y Toro and the Amelia Chardonnay is on it’s way to becoming a world class Burgundy type Chardonnay, the best that I tasted in Chile.

Chile’s first ultra-premium wine, is the only one with 23 vintages to its credit, all prize-winning and renowned by world critics. Don Melchor is the maximum exponent of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, and places Chile as one of the world’s great producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. – See more at: http://www.conchaytoro.com/web/our-wines/don-melchor/#sthash.Nt4cnupv.dpuf
Chile’s first ultra-premium wine, is the only one with 23 vintages to its credit, all prize-winning and renowned by world critics. Don Melchor is the maximum exponent of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, and places Chile as one of the world’s great producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. – See more at: http://www.conchaytoro.com/web/our-wines/don-melchor/#sthash.Nt4cnupv.dpuf

 

Carmín de Peumo is Chile’s first iconic Carmenere. This is simply the best Carmenere made in the world, when I first smelled and tasted this wine all I could say was WOW this is some amazing juice. If this is what the potential of Carmenere has to offer when grown in the perfect conditions then this grape has unlimited possibilities.

 

Located in the upper Maipo Valley, at the foot of the Andes, and 650 meters above sea level, the Puente Alto vineyard has ideal climatic and geographical conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon.

A true representative of the Puente Alto vineyard is Don Melchor, the first world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. “The terroir of Puente Alto is what gives the characteristic fruit expression, elegance and tannin quality of Don Melchor”, explains Enrique Tirado, enologist of this icon.

– See more at: http://www.conchaytoro.com/web/magazine/harvest-notes-in-puente-alto/#sthash.CbVgIRsO.dpuf

Terrazas de Los Andes

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SINGLE VINEYARD 
In 1952 – Renaud Poirier, Chief Winemaker at Moët & Chandon, went to Argentina to research the region’s potential for world-class wine production. The land at the foot of the Andes was truly amazing and that where they decided to settle.

In 1959 – Bodegas Chandon settled in Mendoza and in 1999 Terrazas De los Andes and Cheval Des Andes (joint-venture with Cheval Blanc) were created.  2001 was the release of the first vintage of Cheval Des Andes.

Terrazas De Los Andes, is an incredible winery, where I enjoyed my first Argentine the meal called an Asada (Barbecue). During the meal I was able to enjoy several outstanding wines in the company of their winemaker Gonzales Carrasco. As we tasted through his wonderful French style Chardonnay, and Argentinian native white wine Torrontes I was able to understand the style of wine that Terrazas De Los Andes are striving to make.

Terrazas De Los Andes, 2011 Malbec reserve was really fresh on the pallet that exhibited fruits of blackberry, mint, violet, very balance and well-made wine.

Terrazas De Los Andes, 2011, 100% Cabernet, blackberry, black cherry, on the pallet a Cabernet that was easy to drink even though it was a full body wine with well integrated tannins structure.  This wine spends one year in French oak.

On my next visit I’m really looking forward to tasting through the Cheval De Los Andes wines.

 

 

Bodega Caro

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Bodega Caro is a partnership between Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Catena family, was started in 1998. Initial enthusiasm quickly became a concrete plan to produce a single wine that would combine French and Argentine cultures and the two signature grapes of each producer, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Both partners brought much to the party.

The Catena family has produced wine for three generations. Consequently, it was able to draw on its vast knowledge of the high altitude terroirs of the Mendoza region as well as its passion for Malbec. DBR (Lafite) contributed its centuries-old skills in growing, vinifying and ageing great Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as its know-how in blending different grape varieties to produce one wine that is greater than the sum of its parts.

CARO’s first vintage in 2000. The success of the early vintages resulted in the creation of another wine in 2003: Amancaya which, like its older brother, is based on a harmonious balance between Argentinian identity and Bordeaux style. Bodegas Caro then decided to celebrate the grape variety for which Argentina’s vineyards are famous by selecting a pure Malbec, ARUMA, starting with the 2010 vintage.

The Bodegas Caro winery, in the heart of Mendoza, has been producing the wines since the 2003 vintage and serves as the anchor of the CARO project. The renovation of the historic building and gardens in order to expand the winery and open the Bodega to the outside brings the final touch to the original project.

2002 CARO, from Catena and Rothschild, has Rich Cherry, Spice, Red Licorices, and a strong  elegance, complex finish through blending with Cabernet Sauvignon. The combination has made a rich and refined wine; a harmonious balance between the Argentine and Bordeaux styles.

Grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon 65 to 75% and Malbec 25 to 35%.
Length of aging in oak barrels: 18 months, including 60% in new barrels.
Average annual production: 5,000 cases.

2011, Amancaya, means white flower that grows at the base of the Andes Mountains. A more fruity style coming from the higher percentage of Malbec and shorter aging 12 months in oak.  I thought the wine was well structure from beginning to end.

Grape varieties: Malbec 40 % to 60 %, Cabernet Sauvignon 40 % to 50 %.
Length of aging in oak barrels: 12 months in oak barrels (20% new).
Average annual production: 30 000 cases.

2012, ARUMA means “night” in the language of the Quechua, the native Indian, is a pure Malbec made from a blend of grapes from the best terroirs in the Mendoza region. This wine was fresh lively, easy to drink and the price is right. The wine maker was able to achieve the balance, elegance and depth of flavour that make great Malbecs.

Grape variety : 100% Malbec
Length of aging : 8 months (50% in oak barrels)
Average annual productionn10 000 cases
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Vina Cobos

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The wines of Viña Cobos are the result of a shared dream inspired by the passion of an American winemaker and two partners from a wine-producing culture deeply rooted in European traditions. Their founding aspiration: to produce a Malbec of power and elegance unequaled anywhere in the world. The inaugural 1999 vintage of Cobos Malbec received the highest score upon release for any Argentine wine. Since then, Paul and partners have grown their family of wines, which continue to receive even greater accolades. Cobos, Bramare, and Felino offer three tiers of exceptional Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Marchiori Vineyard 60 to 80 year old vines and other select properties within Mendoza.

Cobos Malbec represents “true north” for Viña Cobos; it is the founding inspiration for the Argentinean portfolio. It is produced only in exceptional vintages from the oldest vines (60 to 80 years) in the Marchiori Vineyard. It exhibits levels of concentration and power rarely achieved in Argentina – or in other top wine growing regions of the world – for that matter.  I didn’t get the opportunity to review the Vina Cobos wines and hopefully next time I will get the opportunity to tastes these wines to let you know how good they are.

2010 Cobos Malbec

Bramare Appellation wines are sourced selected vineyard blocks to express the full lushness and personality of both the Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco growing regions.

I tasted through six of these wonderful wines, they are beautifully made from Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon. These are big rich powerful wines that displays fruit of blackberry, blackcherry, cinnamon and  blueberry fruit on the palete. Even though the wines are big and powerful they still possess a very elegant velvet finish.

The Felinos exhibit a great balance of pure, concentrated fruit, lively acidity and smooth tannins. Our Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Chardonnay are vibrant, mouth-filling wines that pair exceptionally well with food.

The Felino Malbec 2012, was a very easy drinking wine somewhat spicy, cinnamon and blackberry fruit, I thought it was a very good mid priced Malbec for the market

 

Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel Tasting

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On February 20th 2013 I tasted through the 10 of the wines in Napa Valley from Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Starting with the 2011 Chardonnay from both winery, the Far Niente is made in the white Burgundy style while the N&N is more of a traditional California style. N&N starting making there first Pinot Noir called EnRoute from the Russian River, bright red fruit and easy drinking wine.

Far Niente 06 Cabernet is classic rich Oakville fruit, well structured, blackberry, cassie with a well rounded finish.

I tasted through five of N&N 2009 single vineyards Cabernet from several well known vineyards in Napa Valley. I thought the CC Ranch was Juicy full body and very expressive on the finish.  Hayne Cabernet, has rich black cherry, complex mid palate leads to lingering finish.   Kelham Cabernet I thought this was most structure of all the wines from N&N, Black Currant well integrated tanning that leads to a mouth watering finish begging for more.  Quarry Cabernet, blackberry, tea, black cherry, this wine has the most distinct profile of all the wine and did i say it very good.  The last red is the State Ranch Cabernet, dark red fruit strong tanning and a big finish.

Then there is 07 Dolce the best made sweet white wine made in America, and has it own winemaker. All I could say was “WOW” I tasted Pear, orange, apricot all combined together to give your palate a joyful experience. Thanks to my friends at Far Niente and N&N for a great tasting.

Harvesting at Domaine Bertagna 2013

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