Tag Archives: Mendoza

Bodega Caro

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

 

Vina Cobos

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