by katrin on June 14, 2010
One of the many great things about Argentine wines currently available on the US market is the diversity of styles that can be found. While my last post featured an example of an oaky wine in the New World style, I found myself opening a more streamlined and rustic wine today. Though both are from Mendoza and made of a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot (though in different proportions), the Cicchitti Blend is remarkably different.
Right away, the bright ruby-purple color gives away the fact that the Malbec is dominant. The nose is more restrained, but eventually warms up to plum jam, earth, hay, and cassis. While there are some hints of oak, it definitely takes a backseat. In the mouth, it has more cherry and cassis flavors, withdry, earthy qualities.
The mouth feel is less smooth and integrated than the Finca Flichman – the tannins are rougher and the acidity fairly high, making for a taut wine. Yet despite this, the finish is fairly short, and the wine does not seem to have enough fruit to balance out the tannins and acidity. Overall, not a great wine on its own, but it goes well with food. It reminds me of how Argentine wines tasted before winemakers focused on meeting the tastes of the international market, before the flying winemakers, before heavy investments in new equipment and techniques in the vineyards and wineries – a touch rustic, a bit simpler.
The Cicchitti Blend was purchased for under $15 on a recent road trip to Buck’s County – though this actually came from a great little store across the Delaware River in Stockton, New Jersey.
by katrin on June 13, 2010
If you are looking for an excellent example of a New World-style red wine for less than $20, this could be the wine for you. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot, the Paisaje de Tupungato is an impressive Argentine wine, made by a winery that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
In the glass, it is deep ruby with a hint of some brick coming through. The aromas lift right out of the glass. There’s an immediate vanilla oak sweetness, followed by black cherry, plums, red currants, and some cedar. The palate carries forward the same fruits, but with a slight herbal quality, perhaps dill, mocha, and some spiciness.
One of the reasons I like this wine so much is that it is very well balanced and integrated. The new oak, while obviously present, does not overwhelm the wine, but rather adds tannins and flavor complexity. The acidity, tannins, and alcohol are well-proportioned and in balance. And the plum and red currant flavors are part of a lasting finish. Check it out at Federal Wine & Spirits for $17.99.
by katrin on April 12, 2010
Let me get this out of the way: I like Tikal wines. I like them a lot. I also really enjoy Luca wines. Each brand is made by children of Nicolas Catena and represents some of the best New World-style wines coming out of Argentina today. A few months ago, KJ Baaron’s, a wine shop in Worcester, was pouring the 2003 Tikal Patriota at a tasting. The price was right, so I bought all seven of the bottles they had in stock.
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by katrin on April 4, 2010
Before each Sunday Night Supper Club, we gather to sample wines and make decisions on which ones will best represent the dinner theme and complement the menu. The Spanish white wines for our most recent dinner presented a surprising challenge. In our first round of tasting, we sampled eleven wines – two sparkling, two Sherries, and the rest still. The wines came from several different regions and were mostly made from indigenous varietals, in other words, grapes that are considered Spanish rather than international varietals such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. We were certain that we would find five wines that we could all agree on, but we could not. On to round two and another dozen wines!
One of the wines that I had selected thinking it was primarily Macabeo was the 2007 Bodega Pirineos Mesache White. We decided to not even open this wine because it was actually a blend dominated by non-Spanish grapes: 30% Chardonnay, 35% Gewurztraminer, and 35% Macabeo. Also called Viura in the Rioja, Macabeo is one of the varietals used in making Cava.
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by katrin on March 30, 2010
The Glen Carlou Grand Classique from Paarl, South Africa has a deep, intense color that does not show the wine’s age. The aromas are quite prominent and filled with black currant, leather, cocoa, and herbs. I find the nose to be a bit unusual, but very likeable.
The black currant and cocoa are the centerpiece of the flavor, aided by mint and licorice. It’s spicy and moderately hot. The wine has medium body and acidity and tannins that probably have mellowed a bit since it was bottled. The finish lingers with vanilla and cocoa. My only criticism is that the mid-palate is a bit lost and empty. Otherwise, this is a very enjoyable Bordeaux blend.
41% Cabernet Sauvignon; 40% Merlot; 8% Petit Verdot; 6% Malbec; 5% Cabernet Franc
by katrin on February 18, 2010
I don’t always fall for the pitch and buy the wine that has been awarded a rating of 90+ or has appeared on some wine critic’s top 10, 25, or 100 list for the year, but vinodivino’s recent email about the Viña Zaco’s Tempranillo from Rioja at the everyday price of $15.50 caught my eye. Yes, Spain is hot. Yes, wines from Rioja can be incredible. But even with many wines from Rioja in the $15-20 range, some of the better wines push $30+. The wine did happen to land on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 for 2009 list with a rating of 90, so I thought I would give it a try.
I tasted this wine over two nights. The first impression left me feeling so-so and not terribly impressed. The second try was quite different, so I will focus on my notes from day two. The Viña Zaco is a solid brick color, and still quite dark. The nose is dusty earth and black cherries. It tastes of chocolate, smoke, and cherries, with some herbaciousness. It is light bodied with zippy acidity and pleasant tannins. This wine just kept getting better in the glass, so I do recommend decanting it. And as you’re waiting for the wine to breathe a bit, check out their slick website, too.
by katrin on February 16, 2010
It is a bit unusual for me to drink two bottles of wine made of the same varietal from the same country back-to-back. But after having finished the review of the Caligiore Syrah (see my previous post), the bottle of Luigi Bosca Syrah called to me and I wondered how these wines would compare.
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