Catena High Mountain Vines Malbec 2022 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine reviews are a pair of lovely and consistently well-made wines from Argentina that are widely available year-round at the LCBO as they are part of the VINTAGES Essentials Collection.

These wines are produced by Catena Zapata, one of Argentina's most prestigious wineries, which is known for producing high-quality wines. It was established in 1902 by Nicola Catena, an Italian immigrant, after he planted his first Malbec vines in Mendoza during a time when Malbec was used primarily as a blending grape. Nicola's eldest son, Domingo, inherited his father's dream and took the family business to another level to become one of Mendoza's largest vineyard holders.

Catena Zapata was revitalized and gained international acclaim during the 1980s when Nicolás Catena Zapata, son of Domingo, took over the family business. Today, the renowned winery is led by Dr. Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolás, and the 4th generation of the family to work in the wine business. The Catena family is noted for being one of Argentina's first wineries to introduce modern viticultural and winemaking techniques to the country, as well as for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability.

Today, nearly all of Catena's vineyards are farmed sustainably and organically, focusing on lower yields and biodiversity. Both of the wines reviewed in this post are certified sustainable and are noticeably lighter in bottle weight due to the fact that they are now packaged in 500 g glass bottles (down from 700 g), resulting in a 28% lighter bottle. It is also worth noting that up to 60% of the carbon footprint of a wine is the glass of the bottle.

Both of these wines are from the "Catena" range - a blend of single varietal lots from the family's high mountain estate vineyards. These high mountain vineyard wines are made by Laura Catena, a fourth generation vintner, and Alejandro Vigil, chief winemaker. Through decades of study and exploration within Mendoza's high altitude mountain terroirs, the Catena family has identified special locations for its Estate vineyards. Each historic vineyard is divided into lots that are harvested separately, and specially prepared to be part of the final blend. The three wines that make up the Catena range are Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Chardonnay, and are intricately crafted by blending components from different terroirs and altitudes to create balanced and expressive wines of unique character with natural balance, concentration, and distinct varietal identity. These wines can be consumed upon release or aged beautifully for a decade or more.

The 100% Malbec is crafted using grapes from three high mountain vineyards of alluvial origin - Lunlunta (3,018 ft. / 920 m elevation with loamy clay in the topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom), El Cepillo in Eugenio Bustos (3,593 ft. / 1,090 m with loam-sandy soil, thick calcareous layers and rounded rocks on the bottom), and Gualtallary (4,757 ft. / 1,450 m elevation featuring gravel and limestone soil, and rounded rocks in the bottom). The Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of grapes (including 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot) from four high mountain vineyards of alluvial origin - Agrelo (3,117 ft. / 950 m elevation with clay topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom), Villa Bastías (3,675 ft. / 1,120 m elevation with silt loamy soil and limestone on the bottom, Altamira in La Consulta (3,593 ft. / 1,095 m with loamy soil and rounded rocks on the bottom, and El Cepillo in Eugenio Bustos.

The 2022 growing season was an exceptional year from a qualitative standpoint at Catena Zapata, with wines having optimal acidity, great concentration and ripeness of polyphenols, and just-right alcohol levels. While it was a bit of a roller coaster with two big frosts and a shorter harvest period, Alejandro Vigil stated that this was the best year that he has lived through. The vintage required deep knowledge of every region and vineyard because the weather patterns were very unpredictable. From a challenging, and yet promising vintage, let's see how the 2022 Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Argentina are tasting...

Tasting Notes:

CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES MALBEC 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#478727) (XD) - $22.95
100% Malbec, this grapes underwent extensive cold maceration to extract aromas, followed by alcoholic fermentation using wild yeasts. It was aged for 11 to 13 months in combination of first, second, and third use French oak barrels. The fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is slightly reductive with lovely spicy, dark fruit, blackberry, and violet aromas with savoury, earthy undertones. It's dry with very good concentration on the medium+ bodied palate, along with ripe with dark fruited, plummy, blackberry, grapey, and spice flavours accented with savoury earth and violet notes. It's supported by juicy, succulent acidity and smooth, refined, and well-structured tannins. Savoury, peppery, and dark berry notes with hints of mineral linger on the long, gently grippy finish. Score: 90 pts

CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#985002) (XD) - $22.95 $20.95 until Jan. 5
This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot was fermented with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks, and aged in a mix of first, second, and third-use French oak barrels for 11-13 months. Fragrant, medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is dark fruited and plummy with blackberry, black currant, savoury oak spice, and earthy aromas with hints of purple fruit. It's dry, medium-full bodied, and ripe on the palate with plummy black fruit, blackberry, currant, savoury earth, and oak spice flavour replays supported by clean, juicy acidity and smooth, refined, integrated, and well-structured tannins. Some cassis, sweet black fruits, and peppery spice add interest on the mid-palate, while savoury earth, black fruit, and peppery notes linger on the long, balanced, and slightly chalky-grippy textured finish. Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by Catena Zapata can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Susana Balbo Críos Malbec 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Malbec from Argentina that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the November 2 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Dominio del Plata, or more commonly known today as Susana Balbo Wines. The renowned winery was founded in 1999 by Susana Balbo, a pioneering figure in Argentine winemaking, as the country's first female winemaker. Overcoming challenges both personally and professionally, Susana Balbo is highly regarded for producing innovative and expressive wines by combining traditional winemaking techniques with modern approaches.

Today, Susana Balbo Wines is a family-run winery located in Mendoza, Argentina, at the foothills of the Andes mountain range. Susana is joined by her two children, José and Ana, who decided to join the team of over one hundred people and help build the family legacy. With an entrepreneurial, revolutionary, and pioneering spirit, the team at Susana Balbo Wines works daily to deliver high-quality wines with a methodic care for detail. They seek to grow the wine industry in terms of investigation, innovation, and sustainability. The philosophy of the winemaking team combines a deep knowledge of Argentina's best soils, an endless curiosity and passion for the art and science behind winemaking, and a strong commitment to sustainable practices. The pillars of Susana Balbo Wines' sustainability initiatives are centered around being economically viable, environmentally and socially responsible, based on ethics and transparency.

Like the 2020 Críos Chardonnay I enjoyed nearly three years ago, this red wine is from Susana Balbo's entry-level Críos line of wines. Críos, which translates to "kids", was born out of Susana's love for her children and desire to forge a legacy for her family, while also helping them navigate their own journeys through life with lessons learned from her lifetime of trailblazing entrepreneurship. Each bottle of Críos wine features the iconic handprint logo, symbolizing the family bond and illustrates the hand as a powerful tool for mothers as they hold, provide warmth, nourish, comfort, and teach the next generation the skills and wisdom to survive and thrive.

To create something and leave an indelible personal mark with the power of your hands, it is necessary to have conviction, vibrancy, and identity. Críos wines are crafted with care to bring out the best of each varietal. With a strong commitment to quality, Susana Balbo chooses the region of Argentina most suited for growing each particular grape, and then nurturing each varietal in order to elevate its intrinsic character. Inspired by Susana’s history, the Críos line of wines supports the community through various charitable events.

Crafted with 100% Malbec, the grapes were grown at high altitude, averaging 1,050 metres above.sea-level. After manually harvesting the grapes, it was fermented with selected yeasts at a maximum temperature of between 28-31°C. It underwent a 15-20 day maceration, along with closed and open pumping over, with délestage at various stages of fermentation. 40% of the wine was aged for 8 months in third- and fourth-use French oak barrels.

The 2022 vintage in Argentina was challenging, yet promising. The growing season began with a cool spring and very little rainfall, and included several severe bouts of frosts which cut yields. Much needed rain arrived at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, which refreshed the vines. After the rain had passed and the weather cleared, there was just enough heat to allow the red grape varieties to reach phenolic ripeness. In general, it was a cool year, which gave rise to wines with clean, delicate, and highly pure aromas. Let's see how this 2022 Malbec from the Uco Valley in Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SUSANA BALBO CRÍOS MALBEC 2022 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#162529) (XD) - $17.95
The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is slightly reductive with attractive aromas of earthy dark berry, blackberry, violet, black cherry, and black plum, with touches of oak spices. It's medium+ bodied on the dry palate with ripe dark berry, black cherry, blackberry, violet, and earthy oak spice flavours. Acids are crisp and fresh, while the fine-grained, lightly textured tannins have lightly structured. Some warmth on the mid-palate. Quite grippy and chalky textured on the lengthy, savoury, and earthy finish. Give it a slight chill and enjoy this recommended buy over the coming year. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Susana Balbo can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Malbec from Argentina. While this particular vintage was featured as a Food & Drink Discovery wine that arrived in VINTAGES back in June of last year and is long sold-out, the 2022 vintage landed on VINTAGES shelves last month in the October 5 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available for purchase now.

It is produced by the internationally-acclaimed Zuccardi Valle de Uco, a winery that was established by Engineer Alberto Zuccardi in 1963 in Maipú, Mendoza. As one of the pioneers of Argentine wine, Alberto planted his first vineyard in the Mendoza desert in order to demonstrate his new, innovative, and efficient irrigation system, which led him to discover his passion for viticulture and pave the way for future generations of the family. In 1985, José Alberto, son of Alberto, assumed responsibility for the management of the family business and, like his father, had an innovative and visionary spirit which made him one of Argentina's most enthusiastic wine ambassadors, while also elevating their winery and the Argentine wine industry to global recognition.

Today, the winery is run by the third generation of the Zuccardi family with viticulturist Sebastián Zuccardi the current director. Sebastián joined the family business in 2007 and led the development of the high mountain region of the Uco Valley. He planted the family's first vineyard in the Uco Valley and in 2009 he established a Research & Development department within the company to study the soils and terroir of the Uco Valley to gain a deeper understanding of how they are expressed in the wines. This research has led Zuccardi to produce wines with an identity that expresses, with transparency and precision, the place where they come from. After three years of construction, Zuccardi inaugurated their new winery - Zuccardi Valle de Uco - in 2016 in the Paraje Altamira area of the Uco Valley. This modern winery is a tribute to the mountains of Mendoza. To this day, Sebastián and the team continue to create, innovate, and push the boundaries to develop the unique personality of Argentine wines.

Zuccardi has several lines of wines in their portfolio, with this particular Malbec coming from their "Serie A", or "Argentina Series", line which highlights the richness and diversity of Argentina's terroirs. Wines in the Serie A line express the most representative grape varieties from the best regions for each grape, and from selected vineyards at the foothills of the Andes Mountains.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Malbec. The grapes were hand-picked from several vineyards in the Uco Valley and placed in plastic boxes during the second week of April. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were destemmed and crushed, followed by undergoing a cold maceration for 5-7 days, and then classic vinification with native yeasts and fermentation at 25-27°C. It then underwent maceration for 20 days, with periodic pumping over and délestage. A portion of the wine was aged in French oak barrels.

The growing season in 2021 produced a great vintage in the Uco Valley. The cool and humid climate allowed the clusters to reach phenolic maturity with a perfect balance of sugar and acidity, as well as great tannic structure. Zuccardi's meticulous work on separating plots and types of soil for harvesting (work which has been going for more than a decade) allowed them to harvest every corner of their vineyards at the perfect time, thus showcasing the great diversity that characterizes the Uco Valley. Let's see how this 2021 Malbec from Argentina compares with the 2016 Zuccardi Serie A Malbec that I enjoyed many years ago...

Tasting Note:

ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2021 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#167619) (XD) - $17.00
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is savoury and slightly reductive with dark fruited, blackberry, plum, mocha chocolate, and oak aromas surrounding an earthy core. On the dry, medium-full bodied palate it is spicy with savoury, ripe, and dark fruited replays of blackberry, oak spice, earth, and black plum flavours flecked with violet and stony mineral notes adding interest. It is well-structured with crisp and juicy acidity, along with well-integrated, gently textured tannins. Savoury with stony mineral notes, plus some dried herbs linger on the long-lasting, slightly grippy finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

Other fine wines by Zuccardi Valle de Uco can be found at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Bacchus Fréchette Wine & Spirits.

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El Enemigo El Mirador Single Vineyard Bonarda 2020 (Argentina) - Wine Review

I enjoyed the excellent 2017 El Enemigo El Mirador Single Vineyard Bonarda a couple of years ago, and for tonight's red wine review I am loving the latest vintage of this single vineyard Bonarda that arrived at the LCBO in the September 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Established in 2008, El Enemigo Wines is the project of two notable Argentine wine figures - Adrianna Catena, the youngest daughter of Nicolás Catena, and Alejandro Vigil. The name El Enemigo means "The Enemy", and reflects the personal philosophy of its founders, which is that the biggest enemy is oneself. Moreover, the philosophy behind El Enemigo is to constantly strive to push boundaries and challenge personal limits.

In that same spirit, El Enemigo Wines emphasize Argentine terroir, while focusing on old world winemaking techniques to create new world wines that are creative and energetic. Furthermore, each wine is crafted to be in balance between old world elegance and new world, fruit-driven intensity.

El Enemigo Wines are produced in the southern foothills of Maipu, Mendoza. They have a number of vineyards across Mendoza, a region known for its high-altitude vineyards in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Alejandro is a soil expert, holding a Master's Degree in both winemaking and irrigation management, and has been the Winemaking Director at Bodega Catena Zapata since 2007. His strong scientific background led to important developments in both vineyard management and winemaking.

Like the previous vintage, this 100% Bonarda was grown at the El Mirador Vineyard in Rivadavia, a sub-region located in central-north Mendoza. The vineyard is situated at 650 metres (2,132 feet) above sea level and planted on sandy, deep clay soil. To craft this wine, the grapes were fermented using wild yeast at 28°C for 15 days, with 25 days of maceration, followed by maturation in foudre for 12 months.

The 2020 growing season was drier than usual and produced small berries with slightly lower yields. Temperatures were also cooler than average. Harvest occurred 1 to 3 weeks earlier than usual, with the grapes in pristine condition with not a drop of botrytis or downy mildew. From an extremely good vintage that produced boldly coloured, beautifully balanced wines with great fruit character, acidity, and tannins, let's see how this 2020 Single Vineyard Bonarda from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL ENEMIGO EL MIRADOR SINGLE VINEYARD BONARDA 2020 - Rivadavia, Mendoza, Argentina (#15120) (XD) - $27.95
Ripe, fragrant, and focused, the medium-high intensity nose offers plummy, dark berry, blackberry, medicinal herbs, and oak spice aromas. On the medium+ bodied, dry, and spicy palate it has lovely dark berry, blackberry, and plum replays joined by stony mineral and savoury oak flavours. It's framed with crisp, juicy acidity and fine-grained, nicely textured tannins with good structure. There's a slightly chalky grip on the back palate, while savoury mineral, dark berry, and plum notes linger on the long, elegant finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5 years. Score: 92 pts

El Enemigo's excellent Chardonnay is available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Catena Appellation Tupungato Chardonnay 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely, high-altitude Chardonnay from Tupungato in Argentina that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the September 7th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Catena Zapata, one of Argentina's most prestigious and renowned winemaking families. A pioneer in Argentine winemaking, the Catena family also has a long history of viticulture and winemaking that goes back over a century.

Bodega Catena Zapata was established in 1902 by Nicola Catena when he planted his first Malbec vineyard in Mendoza. At the time, Malbec was used primarily as a blending grape, but Nicola suspected that it would find its hidden splendour in the Argentine Andes. His eldest son, Domingo, inherited his father's dream and took the family business to another level, becoming one of Mendoza's largest vineyard holders.

In the 1960s, Nicolás Catena Zapata, Domingo's son and a recent PhD graduate, took over the family winery after years of turmoil due to a downturn in the Argentine economy and soaring inflation rates. The name Zapata comes from Nicolás' paternal grandmother's ancestors, who were a traditional landowning family dating back to colonial times, and by Argentine custom, Zapata follows Catena in Nicolás's full name. In the early 1980s, Nicolás got the opportunity to become a visiting scholar of economics at the University of California, on the world-renowned campus at Berkeley. During this period, California decided to challenge France by creating Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines that could rival the best French wines. This provided Nicolás and his wife, Elena, with inspiration, so that when he returned to Mendoza, he sold his bulk wine table-wine producing company and focused on producing fine wine. In 1992, the Catena family settled in Gualtallary Alto - the highest and westernmost spot in Tupungato, at 5,000 feet above sea level, an area that is cool, but well-protected from frost by the nearby mountains. The vineyard, which is named after his youngest daughter - Adrianna - has a slight slope and a small hill.

Today, Bodega Catena Zapata is led by Dr. Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolás, and the 4th generation of the family, along with talented Winemaker Alejandro Vigil. Catena Zapata is known for being one of the first Argentine wineries to introduce modern viticultural and winemaking techniques to the country, as well as for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. Catena wines are produced from six historic family estate vineyards and each of these vineyards is divided into parcels according to their soil composition, with each parcel farmed individually. Nearly all of Catena's vineyards are farmed sustainably and organically, focusing on lower yields and biodiversity.

Like the 2019 Catena Appellation Tupungato Chardonnay I enjoyed just over three years ago, this white wine is crafted using Chardonnay that was grown in the high-altitude Tupungato sub-region of northern Uco Valley. Over two decades ago, Nicolás Catena Zapata selected the Tupungato appellation to plant the family's Chardonnay vineyards. Situated between 4,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Andes mountains, the Tupungato appellation has pebble-covered soils and extreme cool nights. Catena's Tupungato Vineyard is located at about 1,450 metres (4,750 feet) above sea level and has soil of alluvial origin, with gravel and limestone, rounded rocks at the bottom, and sandy loam. To vinify this wine, the grapes undergo cold settling for 8-24 hours at 5ºC (41ºF), followed by a 25 to 45 day fermentation. After fermentation, the wine spends 4 to 10 months in contact with its fine lees in 100% French oak, 35% new.

The 2022 growing season at Catena Zapata was exceptional, producing wines with optimal acidity, great concentration and ripeness of polyphenols, and just-right alcohol levels. While the growing season was like a roller-coaster year with two big frosts, a shorter harvest period, and unpredictable weather patterns, the team at Catena persevered with great dedication and endurance while using their deep knowledge of every region and vineyard. Winter was milder than usual, while glacial water played an important role because spring and summer were especially dry with rain 15-40% less than usual in most areas. Spring frosts were remedied by lighting anti-frost cans. Yields were down 10-20% by harvest time, while cooler than usual autumn temperatures allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and fully. From a challenging vintage, let's see how this 2022 Chardonnay from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CATENA APPELLATION TUPUNGATO CHARDONNAY 2022 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#10964) (XD) - $19.95
The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers bright lemon citrus and ripe apple-pear aromas nuanced with vanilla, earthy mineral, and hints of butterscotch and tropical fruit notes. On the rich, dry, medium-full bodied palate it has delicious lemon citrus, apple-pear, vanilla, and mineral replays, plus some spice flavours. It's well-structured with tight and juicy acidity. Citrus and apple notes taper to savoury minerals on the long, crisp finish. Has room to develop further and should drink well over the next 5 years. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Many other fine wines by Catena Zapata can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

With BBQ season upon us and Father's Day around the corner, tonight's red wine review is a delicious Malbec that is widely available as a VINTAGES Essentials product at LCBO outlets across Ontario.

It is produced by Terrazas de los Andes, a prominent Argentine winery renowned for its high-altitude vineyards. It was established in 1996 when a team of visionaries recognized the unique potential of Mendoza and the majestic Andes mountains, well before Argentina's oenological potential was recognized worldwide. With a firm conviction to create world-class wines, Terrazas ventured into the unexplored lands of the Andes to search for a refined, varietal expression of the vine that could only be achieved on the cool, high-altitude terraces of Mendoza - places where the sky and the earth meet in harmony.

Today, Terrazas de los Andes is located in the heart of Perdriel, at the foot of the Andes mountains, while the majority of their vineyards are situated in Mendoza's Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley, and surrounded by the high peaks of the Andes. They are also constantly searching for perfection and exploring the limits of high-altitude viticulture, while challenging established standards to create truly exceptional wines. Owned by Moët Hennessy Group, which itself is a division of the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, Terrazas de los Andes is committed to sustainable viticulture practices which aim to reduce environmental impact and ensure the long-term health of the vineyards and surrounding ecosystems. Some of these initiatives include water optimization and promoting biodiversity. They are also reducing their carbon footprint by using lightweight bottles for all of their Reserva wines.

As Guardians of Mountain Life, Terrazas de los Andes is committed to unleashing and protecting the magic of the top of the world by preserving the Andes' sacred glacier water and living soils, mitigating their impact on the climate, engaging mountain communities, and empowering their people.

I first came across this wine with the 2018 Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec that I enjoyed just over two years ago. The 2021 vintage of this 100% Malbec is crafted using fruit from 100+ parcels (and 200+ terraces) of 8 high-altitude estate vineyards that are sustainably farmed and transitioning to organic, and in a magical place where the earth meets the sky. As great wine is grown, all the vineyards are situated between 1,000 to 1,650 metres (3,280 to 5,413 feet) above sea level, with seven of the vineyards located in the best appellations of the Uco Valley, while the eighth vineyard is in Luján de Cuyo.

To craft this wine, the grapes were harvested early and fresh, at the peak of fruit expression. The grapes were gently macerated for 15 to 20 days, with the aim of slowly and precisely extracting the right tannic structure of the wine while preserving its fineness. After fermentation, most of the wine was aged for 12 months in new to fourth-use oak barrels, with a proportion kept in tank to preserve fruit freshness and purity.

The 2021 growing season was characterized by lower than average temperatures during the ripening season, as well as above-average rainfall during the key months of January through March. It was a cool vintage and rather early, even for Terrazas as they are usually among the first to harvest. The grapes were allowed to develop intense colour and a bright, fruity profile with a vibrant and elegant mouthfeel. Each parcel was cultivated individually, including picking decisions which were made plot-by-plot. By generally picking earlier, Terrazas emphasizes elegance over power and avoids any over-ripening to preserve Malbec's bright floral and fruity aromas, and natural acidity. From a good vintage that delivered a cool growing season, let's see how this 2021 Malbec from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES RESERVA MALBEC 2021 - Mendoza, Argentina (#29280) (XD) - $19.95
From a cooler vintage, the medium-high intensity nose is cool and fresh with green herbs and dried spices layered over dark fruit, blackberry, raspberry, white pepper, and black plum aromas with subtle touches of smoke and violet. On the medium-bodied palate it has smooth, refined, and lightly structured tannins to go along with fresh and lively acidity. It is dry with delicious dried spice, white pepper, green herbs, blackberry, and raspberry flavours, while peppery spice with touches of smoke and mineral notes linger on the long, well-structured finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 3+ years. Score: 88+ pts

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La Posta Malbec Rosé 2023 and Armando Bonarda 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious wines by La Posta that arrived at the LCBO as part of recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collections and are widely available across Ontario right now.

La Posta Vineyards was established at the turn of the century by Laura Catena, of the renowned Catena family, who have significant involvement and development in the Argentine wine industry. Dr. Laura Catena established this brand after she discovered a handful of growers who consistently showed impressive results with specific varietals year-after-year.

Today, La Posta focuses on producing wines that highlight not only the local, independent growers, but also the distinct terroir and grape varieties of Argentina. La Posta wines salute the hard-working growers who strive for superior flavours from the grapes they grow on their own estate. Often, La Posta wines are single-vineyard bottles which illustrate the story of each family, while the labels are inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Déco designs of the 1920s and 1930s.

The Armando Bonarda is one of the wines from the portfolio. The Bonarda grapes were grown by Estela Armando, a fourth generation winegrower from a family that has been in the wine business and growing grapes in Mendoza since their arrival from the Piedmont region of Italy in 1887. It was Estela's great-grandfather that established the family's wine business, while her grandfather and father planted the present Bonarda vineyard in 1963 - grapes which are used to craft this red wine. The combination of a unique place in Guaymallén, old vines, and very little irrigation help create grapes of high quality.

Both the 2022 and 2023 vintages in Argentina had their challenges. Let's see how these two wines from Argentina are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

LA POSTA MALBEC ROSÉ 2023 - Sustainable, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#24747) (XD) - $15.95
100% Malbec grown at an average of 1,000 metres above sea level. It was vinified without the use of any oak using carbonic maceration by press, with 100% whole clusters that were hand-loaded into 5,000 L stainless steel tanks. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose offers grapefruit, white pepper spice, and dried herb aromas with accents of mineral, blood orange, citrus, and red cherry. It has good weight on the dry, medium-full bodied palate with delicious grapefruit, dried herb, peppery spice, red currant-cherry, and citrus flavours. Acids are juicy and succulent, joined by some palate warmth on the mid-palate. Dried herbs, peppery spice, red currant-cherry, and mineral notes linger on the crisp and dry finish, with very good length. Chill well and enjoy! Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on April 13. Score: 88+ pts

LA POSTA ARMANDO BONARDA 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261586) (XD) - $14.95
This 100% Bonards was grown in a vineyard that was planted in 1964 in Guaymallén, in the eastern part of Mendoza, at an elevation of 700 metres, and has shallow loamy clay soil with gravel subsoil. Half of the wine was aged for 9 months in 2nd and 3rd-use French oak barrels. Fresh and fragrant, the medium-high intensity nose is ripe and fruity with dark fruited, black cherry, black plum, blackberry, and smoky oak aromas with touches of peppery spice. On the dry, mid-weighted palate it is ripe with black cherry, blackberry, plum, oak spice, pepper, and clove flavours. It has crisp, juicy acidity, along with a touch of warmth on the mid-palate. Present tannins offer a grippy, textured mouthfeel. The balanced flavour profile of black cherry, dark berry, and plum tapering to smoky oak notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on May 11. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious La Posta Vineyards wines can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Torrontés from the high-altitude Cafayate Valley that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on wines from Argentina in the February 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate, a winery that was born as part of a generation of wineries at the end of the 20th century, during the transformation of the Argentine wine industry. During this time, the Salta wine industry was also re-converted, including the expansion of Cafayete wines. El Porvenir was founded by the Romero Marcuzzi family in 2000 and since 2013 has been led by Lucía Romero Marcuzzi, a vintner, entrepreneur, mother, and third-generation vineyard owner who was born and raised in Salta. Under Lucía's direction, this female-led, family-run project is rewriting the legend of Cafayate.

El Porvenir - which means "future" - embodies the paradigm of Cafayate wine - the fusion between innovation and great respect for the identity and unmistakable character of the terroir. The philosophy at El Porvenir is based on deep respect and love for terroir, with their wines a reflection of their terroir. With both the heart and mind firmly in the Cafayate Valley, El Porvenir wants to share their place with the world.

Cafayate is known for its stunning red rock formations. It is a small, isolated, and elevated valley that was home to the pre-Hispanic Diaguita-Calchaquí indigenous people and is located 180 km south of the city of Salta. With its unique characteristics and care of El Porvenir, Cafayete is able to produce high-quality and healthy grapes from this special, high-altitude valley to create iconic vintages, modern classics, and cutting-edge, innovative wines. The extreme desert climate, combined with poor soils, warm days and cool nights, very little rainfall, and plentiful sunlight means that it is easy for El Porvenir to practice integrated, sustainable, and organic viticulture. With vineyards situated between 1,750 and 2,500 metres above sea level, the broad thermal amplitude allows the grapes to become highly concentrated while retaining fresh acidity.

This 100% Torrontés was crafted using fruit grown at Finca El Retiro, El Porvenir's most established vineyard. It is situated in the heart of Cafayate, Salta, at the high-altitude of 1,650 metres above sea level, in the far north of Argentina. The vineyard at Finca El Retiro was planted in 1945 on soil that is deep and sandy, with the presence of minerals such as mica crystals. The Torrontés planted in this vineyard were trained using the pergola system, a vine-training system that is ideal for cultivating Torrontés. To craft this wine, it underwent a fairly long fermentation with selected yeast in stainless steel tanks, followed by several months of ageing on its lees.

The 2022 growing season in Salta didn't have any major climatic events, but did produce a late vintage. It was a cooler growing season, with yields at the usual quantities. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2022 Torrontés from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BODEGA EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE LABORUM FINCA EL RETIRO TORRONTÉS 2022 - Single vineyard, Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#489179) (XD) - $18.95
Screw cap. Fresh, medium-high intensity nose of floral, lemon citrus, grapefruit, and herbal aromas with a touch of thyme. On the dry, mid-weighted palate it has a very nicely textured mouthfeel with lovely floral, lemon citrus, thyme, grapefruit, lychee, apple, and herbal flavours supported by fresh, lemony, and zesty acidity. Leesy mineral notes arrive on the mid-palate and is joined by lemon citrus notes on the juicy and exceptionally long finish. Should continue to drink well over the next 3-4 years and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2018 Catena Lunlunta Old Vines Appellation Malbec three years ago, tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the theme on wines from Argentina in the Feb. 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Catena Zapata, one of Argentina's and the world's most renowned and prestigious wine growers and producers. The winery was founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena in Mendoza, Argentina, and was later revitalized to international acclaim in the 1980s by Nicola's grandson - Nicolás Catena Zapata.

Today, the family-run winery is now in the hands of the fourth generation - Dr. Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolás. The Catena family is one of the most iconic and influential wine families and have been instrumental in developing Mendoza into a world-class wine region over the past 100+ years. As one of Argentina's pioneering wineries, Catena Zapata is known for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability, and was one of the first Argentine wineries to introduce modern viticultural and winemaking techniques to the country. The Catena family also played a significant role in elevating Malbec to its current status as Argentina's flagship grape variety. Catena Zapata produces several Malbec wines that showcase the grape's potential, while also focusing on expressing the terroir of Mendoza.

Catena Zapata has several ranges of wines in their portfolio. This particular red wine is from their Appellation Village series of wines, which borrows the idea from Burgundy whereby grapes grown in the territory of certain villages give their name to the appellation. In Argentina, the rural towns of Lunlunta, Vista Flores, San Carlos, Tupungato, Agrelo, and La Consulta lend their names to the beautiful historic vineyards that surround them. Also, like in France where village vineyards are small and often owned by siblings and cousins within the same family due to the Napoleonic code (which establishes that at a person's death, his or her land is divided equally among his or her heirs), in Argentina, over half of the vineyards in Mendoza are less than 4 hectares and owned by multiple family members. The wines of the Catena Appellation Village range express the diversity of terroir and the historic farming customs of these local families.

Like previous vintages, this red wine is crafted with 100% Malbec that was grown in the small Lunlunta district that straddles the administrative departments of both Maipú and Lujan de Cuyo, along the Mendoza River, within the Mendoza wine region. Lunlunta is an idyllic district of small orchards and tree-lined country roads, and is well-known for its ancient Malbec vines. This Malbec is from a vineyard situated at 2,785 feet above sea level that was planted in 1930. The soil composition in this vineyard is sandy and loamy, with 50% sand, 30% silt, 20% clay, and 5% surface stones, and has northwestern exposure to the sun. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks and underwent malolactic fermentation. It was aged in a combination of both stainless steel tanks and 1-year-old 225 L French oak for 12 months, then aged a further 10 months in bottle prior to release.

The 2021 growing season in Argentina was interesting with wetter and colder than normal conditions, along with damp conditions that persisted into summer. Furthermore, spring experienced significant frosts, which cut yields dramatically. The cool humidity meant that growers had to be vigilant against rot and disease, while the general lack of sunlight resulted in grapes taking longer to reach phenolic ripeness. The long growing season ensured that the resulting fruit was in good condition, with the wines showing fine aromatics, acidity, and elegance. Let's see how this 2021 Malbec from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CATENA LUNLUNTA OLD VINES APPELLATION MALBEC 2021 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#11769) - (XD) - $24.95
From vines planted in 1930, this lovely Malbec has a medium-high intensity nose that is elegant and ripe with a lovely mix of plummy, blackberry, earthy-stony mineral, spice, and some herbal aromas. On the spicy, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate it has very fruit-acid-tannin tension that provides a well-structured mouthfeel. Dry with lovely mineral-driven, dark fruited, blackberry, spice, black cherry, plum, and herbal flavours. Structured with tangy and juicy acidity, and medium-firm structured tannins that offer a pleasant, gently chalky grip. Minerally with blackberry, black cherry, and spice notes linger on the long, smoky finish. Enjoyable now, but will reward with a few years in the cellar and drink well to the end of the decade. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Many fine wines by Catena are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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February 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Chile & Argentina

Here's my top wine picks from the February 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, which features wines from Chile and Argentina as the theme of the release. We're back to normal levels of wines in this release with nearly 100 products, which also includes some Online & Flagship Exclusives. All the wines should be available for purchase by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme on wines from Chile and Argentina - Partners in Wine. There are twenty-two wines included in the thematic, with eight among my top wine picks. We start with the whites, with a Torrontés from Argentina, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. Among the reds, the Cabernet Franc includes 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Carménère, while the Emiliana is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah, and 19% Carignan. Single varietal wines include the Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, all from Argentina, while the Puente Austral from Chile is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

From my top red wine recommendations, Tuscany leads that way with the iconic Cepparello, as well as the Gran Selezione, both of which are crafted with 100% Sangiovese, while the Guidalberto Super Tuscan is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Other red wines include the Rioja that is a blend of 97% Tempranillo and 3% Mazuelo, as well as the California Cabernet Sauvignon that is actually composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 5% Malbec.

Among my white wine picks from the rest of the release, there are only three wines - a Pinot Grigio from Friuli, a Chardonnay from South Australia, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. The last wine from this group is an excellent Riesling Icewine from Niagara.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Salud!

Red Wine:

• CALCU TINY BLOCKS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2020 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#35677) (XD) - $14.95  90 pts  wine review
• PUENTE AUSTRAL RESERVA PRIVADA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#21960) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• SECRETO PATAGÓNICO REBEL PINOT NOIR 2022 - Patagonia, Argentina (#36015) (XD) - $16.95
• EMILIANA NOVAS STELLAR SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON / SYRAH / CARIGNAN 2021 - Vegan, sustainable, DO Valle del Maule, Chile (#35672) (XD) - $17.95  88+ pts  wine review
• SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Las Piedras, DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#37911) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• ZUCCARDI Q CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#28078) (XD) - $20.95
• MERAYO LAS TRES FILAS MENCIA 2020 - DO Bierzo, Spain (#462788) (XD) - $20.95

• CATENA LUNLUNTA OLD VINES APPELLATION MALBEC 2021 - Sustainable, Mendoza, Argentina (#11769) - (XD) - $24.95  91 pts  wine review
• RODNEY STRONG ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Sustainable, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA (#350454) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• LAN GRAN RESERVA 2016 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#928622) (XD) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review
• ROCCA DI CASTAGNOLI STIELLE GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#459529) (XD) - $53.95
• TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO 2021 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#72439) (XD) - $75.95
• ISOLE E OLENA CEPPARELLO 2020 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#28768) (XD) - $175.95

White Wine:

• INDÓMITA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - DO Valle de Casablanca, Chile (#544213) (XD) - $15.95  89 pts  wine review
• WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL CHARDONNAY 2022 - Clare Valley / Limestone Coast, South Australia (#711556) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• BODEGA EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE LABORUM FINCA EL RETIRO TORRONTÉS 2022 - Single vineyard, Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#489179) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2022 - DOC Friuli, Italy (#707950) (XD) - $19.95  90 pts  wine review
• VILLA MARIA EARTH GARDEN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#24981) (XD) - $20.95

Dessert Wine:

• LAKEVIEW CELLARS RIESLING ICEWINE 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#471839, 200 mL) (S) - $34.95  92 pts  wine review

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Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely, sustainably-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley in Argentina that arrived at the LCBO last year in the April 15, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. While a few bottles of this vintage still seem to be available at the LCBO, the latest 2021 vintage will be arriving at LCBO outlets as part of the upcoming Feb. 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Zuccardi Wines, an internationally acclaimed winery that was established by Alberto Zuccardi in 1963 in Maipú, Mendoza. He planted his first vineyard in the desert of Mendoza to demonstrate his new, innovative, and efficient irrigation system, which led him to discover his passion for viticulture and pave the way for future generations of the family. In 1985, José Alberto, son of Alberto, assumed responsibility for the management of the family business and, like his father, José Alberto had an innovative and visionary spirit which made him one of Argentina's most enthusiastic wine ambassadors.

Today, the Zuccardi family is considered a key figure in the history and future of viticulture in Argentina. The winery is in the hands of the third generation of the family, viticulturist Sebastián Zuccardi. He joined the family winery in 2007 and led the development of the high mountain region of the Uco Valley, including planting the family's first vineyard in the Uco Valley. In 2009, Sebastián established a Research & Development department to study the soils and terroir of the Uco Valley to gain a deeper understanding and how it's expressed in the wines. This research has led to Zuccardi producing wines that are a true reflection of the place. In 2013, Zuccardi began the construction of a new winery in the Paraje Altamira area of the Uco Valley, with the inauguration taking place in 2016. Named Zuccardi Valle de Uco, the modern building is a tribute to the mountains of Mendoza.

This red wine is part of the Zuccardi Q range of wines that was launched in 1999 and were the first wines to bear the family name. It is named "Q" because the fruit for these wines comes from their best vineyards and plots that were marked with the letter "Q" for Quality. These specially designated vineyards and plots are given extra care and attention during the growing and vinification process in order to produce wines of exceptional quality. All wines in the Zuccardi Q range are regional wines with fruit from across Mendoza, with each plot harvested and vinified separately in order to achieve the best expression of each varietal.

Crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes for this red wine were grown in two regions of the Uco Valley - La Consulta within the San Carlos district, and the high-altitude Gualtallary wine region in Tupungato. The vineyard in La Consulta is situated at 990 metres above sea level, while the Gualtallary vineyard is situated at 1,400 metres above sea level. The soil profile is alluvial and gravel covered with calcium carbonate at shallow depth, and calcareous sands. To vinify this wine, the bunches of grapes were selected and then filled into tanks by gravity. It was fermented using indigenous yeasts with gentle extraction using delestage and pigeage techniques. It underwent maceration on the pomace for 25 days, malolactic fermentation, and finally aged in oak barrels.

The growing season in 2019 produced grapes of exceptional quality. This was in part due to the climatic conditions that allowed Zuccardi to harvest each region, variety, and type of soil at the time they expected. Spring was generally wet, while temperatures throughout the season were cool-to-moderate, and always below average. Yields were marginally smaller, while a cool autumn allowed for a longer ripening period. The wines of 2019 are characterized by modest alcohol and fresh acidity.

The only other time I recall tasting this wine was back in 2016, when I opened up the 2006 Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon that was probably past its prime drinking window. Let's see how this 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ZUCCARDI Q CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Sustainable, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#28078) (XD) - $19.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from La Consulta and Gualtallary. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose reveals reductive aromas of plummy dark berry, black currant, blackberry, mineral, and touches of cassis. It's medium to medium-full bodied on the dry, ripe, and gently spicy palate with delicious plummy dark berry, cassis, black currant, and blackberry flavours joined by savoury mineral and spice notes. Fresh acidity is juicy and succulent, while the tannins are smooth and refined with a supple grip. It's nicely balanced with dark berry, mineral, and spice notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by Zuccardi are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - The Bacchus Group.

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El Enemigo Chardonnay 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is one of my favourite Chardonnays from Argentina. While the printed magazine specifies the 2020 vintage, in actuality it was the 2022 vintage that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the theme on Fine Wines for Festive Entertaining in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on December 2nd.

It is produced by El Enemigo Wines, a passion project that was established in 2008 by two friends - highly-acclaimed winemaker Alejandro Vigil and historian Adrianna Catena. Alejandro is a soil expert who has been with Bodega Catena Zapata as their chief winemaker for more than 20 years, while Adrianna is the younger sister of Dr. Laura Catena, as well as the youngest daughter of legend Nicolas Catena, of the famed Catena family of Argentina.

The name "El Enemigo" means "the enemy", and was inspired by Dante Alighieri's poem "The Divine Comedy". The credo behind the name is the struggle that most defines us in our lives is the one we wage with ourselves - we are our own worst enemy. The philosophy is to embrace the "enemy" or challenges in winemaking, confronting the difficulties and turning them into opportunities for creating exceptional wines.

Today, El Enemigo is situated among the high-altitude vineyards in the Uco Valley and has gained a reputation for producing some of Argentina's finest wines. The wines of El Enemigo are enigmatic, charismatic, and verging on iconoclastic, and in a way they reflect their maker, Alejandro, with an almost Picasso-like personality. While he consults and contributes academic research on soils and microbial composition, with El Enemigo he plays and expresses himself creatively. At the same time, the wines of El Enemigo are sensitive to historical blends and traditions as some of the grapes come from some of the oldest vineyard sites in the region.

Like the 2018 El Enemigo Chardonnay that I enjoyed last year, this vintage was also grown in the region of Gualtallary, within the Tupungato district in the northern reaches of the Uco Valley, at a high-altitude of 1,470 metres (4,822 feet) above sea level on deep-calcareous and rocky soil. It was fermented using wild yeast in 500 L French oak barrels, with 35% new barrels, followed by ageing under veil (flor yeast) for 12 months in 500 L French oak barrels.

The 2022 growing season delivered another successful harvest, although the year did have its challenges. In Mendoza, the region began with a cool, dry spring, as well as little snowfall, which resulted in less water flowing down to a region already suffering from severe water shortages. Further challenges arrived when five frosts, some severe, occurred between October and November in the Uco Valley. The white grape varieties were a big challenge due to rain that arrived at the end of spring, between December and February, and was concentrated to a few weeks. However, if the harvest was done well, good quality with fresher wines is achieved. Let's see how this 2022 Chardonnay from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY 2022 - Mendoza, Argentina (#482984) (XD) - $25.95
Using wild yeast, this was fermented and aged in French oak barrels. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is ripe and appealing with pineapple, banana, citrus, caramel, toffee, butter, and leesy flor aromas. It's mid-weighted with good concentration, well-structured, sweet fruited, yet dry, with delicious banana, pineapple, lemon citrus, apple, toffee/caramel, leesy flor, and buttery flavours in a complex profile with all vying for attention. Acids are crisp and fresh, plus a touch of spice notes on the mid-palate. The long finish is dry with lingering notes of smoke and mineral. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 92 pts

Other lovely wines by El Enemigo can found at the LCBO or through their Agent - Noble Estates Wine & Spirits.

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El Esteco Malbec 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this excellent Malbec from the high altitude Calchaquí Valley in Salta, Argentina. While this is an older vintage that is not available for purchase, you can get the 2021 vintage that just arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the November 4 LCBO New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bodega El Esteco, a renowned winery that was established in 1892 by David Michel, a French immigrant, in the Calchaquí Valleys, which is part of the province of Salta in northwestern Argentina. The winery is located at high altitude in the Andes Mountains, a natural landscape carved by the sun, mountains, and vineyards, and in an area which provides a unique and advantageous terroir for the cultivation of high-quality winegrowing. El Esteco was one of the first institutions in Argentina to master the art of viticulture and winemaking. They have a significant presence in the famous Cafayate, as well as the little-known and unique sub-region of Chañar Punco. Cafayate is the heart of Calchaquí Valleys, a region that was seemingly unsuitable for grape-growing, but is an isolated stretch of desert with unique features that make it ideal to grow the highest vineyards in the world.

Today, El Esteco is considered one of the leading wine producers in the Salta region, as well as the broader Argentine wine industry. They own nearly 1,000 acres of vineyards at an ideal high altitude of more than 1,700 metres (5,500 feet) above sea level. The vineyards, which have poor soils, experience abundant sunshine and perfect diurnal temperature range - conditions which help produce high-quality wines. The winery has undergone numerous transformations over the years, all of which are encapsulated in the vallisto Spanish colonial-style hundred-year-old building where it resides today, and influenced by ancient civilizations, Hispanic influence, and the Criollo spirit. Inside the winery, El Esteco uses the latest wine technologies such as concrete vessels, stainless steel tanks, and poetic French and American oak barrels - all of which help create wines of diverse styles, flavours, and aromas.

With several ranges of wines in the portfolio, this red wine is under the El Esteco range, bearing the name of the winery, and pays tribute to the winery's history and expertise. It is crafted with 100% Malbec that was grown in the heart of the Calchaqui Valley, where El Esteco was found. The Valley is situated at over 1,800 metres above sea level and features poor alluvial soils, high sun exposure, low humidity, and broad thermal amplitude - all characteristics which make the Calchaqui Valley an exceptional wine region. The concentrated bunches of grapes were manually harvested in plastic bins and brought to the winery for pre-fermentative maceration in stainless steel tanks. It was fermented using both native and selected yeasts, and underwent natural malolactic fermentation in both American and French oak barrels, followed by ageing in these same oak barrels for 12 months. After careful barrel selection, the wine was blended and bottled unfiltered, and aged a further 6 months in bottle prior to release.

With nearly ideal growing conditions in 2018, the result was well-structured wines that feature fine-grained tannins and ripe fruit flavors, as well as harvest yields that returned to normal after a series of short vintages. Let's see how this 2018 Malbec from northern Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL ESTECO MALBEC 2018 - Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina (#113191) (XD) - $21.95
Lovely, fragrant, open, and highly aromatic on the nose with violet, blackberry, dark fruit, stony minerality, savoury wet earth, and touches of black plum aromas. It's medium+ bodied on the dry, spicy, and dark fruited palate with lovely violet, blackberry, stony mineral, and earthy flavour replays. Acids are still quite fresh, lively, and juicy, while the maturing tannins are smooth and fine-grained, but still offers a slightly grippy texture and nice structure. The finish length is excellent with lingering savoury, stony mineral, and earthy notes. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years. Highly recommended! Score: 91+ pts

Other lovely wines by El Esteco are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Dandurand.

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Chakana Finca Los Cedros Malbec 2020 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely organic and vegan Malbec from Paraje Altamira in Argentina that arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on October 7th.

Chakana Wines was founded by the Pelizzatti family in 2002 when they acquired 300 hectares of land in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. The Pelizzatti family is originally from the mountainous region of Valtellina in Lombardy, Italy, where their ancestors had a long history of making quality wines. In 2003, Chakana had their first successful grape harvest at Finca Nuna in Agrelo.

Expansion and an exhaustive study of the soils occurred during the decade until tragedy struck in 2009, where late frosts affected 70% of the vines at Finca Nuna. In 2010, a group of families who were inspired by the Pelizzatti family and moved by their passion and strength joined the winery project as shareholders. This has led to further exploration in the search for quality, including developing an appreciation for agroecology (sustainable farming that works with nature) and alternative production methods.

Later in 2010, a 15-hectare farm was purchased south of the Tunuyán River, in Paraje Altamira, and it was named Finca Los Cedros. Further expansion occurred, including exporting wines to international markets, and in 2012 they started the formal transition to organic certification. In 2014, Chakana obtained organic certification for their vineyard and winery in Agrelo, and furthermore, obtained Demeter biodynamic certification in 2016.

As the Pelizzatti family stepped away from the project in 2019, Chakana continues today with this same spirit and purpose under renewed leadership. Chakana is considered one of the benchmarks and models in winegrowing due to their essence and philosophy, including their sustainable and organic winemaking practices. As soil is not only essential for food production, it also serves as a reflection of terroir, and in the search for the best wines, one cannot underestimate the importance of soil or fail to attend to its care or knowledge.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Malbec, a single vineyard wine that was grown at Chakana's Finca Los Cedros vineyard high up in the Paraje Altamira GI at 3,600 feet above sea level, in the district of La Consulta, in the department of San Carlos. The climate in this area is cool and sunny, with good thermal amplitude, but is also relatively more humid than other areas of Mendoza due to its location at the foot of the mountain. The vineyard is drip-irrigated using a reservoir of crystalline meltwater. The grapes were planted at a high density on sandy loam soil with calcareous gravel. The grapes were manually harvested and placed into small boxes. Upon arriving at the winery in Agrelo, the grapes were fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for 10 months in a combination of 5,000 Litre oak barrels and concrete vats.

The 2020 growing season was a challenging one in Mendoza. The vintage was one of the earliest and warmest on record, and along with low rainfall, led to reduced yields. However, the grape quality was excellent if you were able to pick at the right moment. Let's see how this 2020 Malbec from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHAKANA FINCA LOS CEDROS MALBEC 2020 - Vegan, Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#32142) (XD) - $20.95
Organic and vegan. 100% Malbec. The medium-high intensity nose is rich and spicy with dark fruited aromas of blackberry, violet floral, black cherry, and stony-earthy mineral notes accented with dried herbs and spices. It's medium-full bodied and ripe with chewy, well-structured tannins and juicy acidity that frames the dark fruited, blackberry, violet floral, black cherry, black plum, and mineral flavours with a touch of spice. Some smoky and tea leaf characters add further intrigue on the nicely textured and somewhat chalky and drying mid-palate. Mineral and smoky notes linger on the long, juicy finish. On the bigger, savoury side of Malbec and a highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely Chakana Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia / Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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