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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Alamos Selección Malbec 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Malbec that returned to the LCBO this weekend as part of the March 5 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Alamos, a producer whose history is rooted in over 100 years of family winemaking with the founding wine family of Argentina - the Catenas. With generations of passion and expertise, the adventurous spirit of Alamos wines are crafted from high-elevation vineyards at the foot of the Andes. The wines are flavourful, approachable, and authentically Argentine, with this Malbec the pinnacle of their portfolio.

The winemaker at Alamos is Lucía Vaieretti. She comes from a family of winegrowers who have been tending vines in Mendoza for more than 40 years. Lucía attended Don Bosco, South America's most prestigious viticulture and enology school and has been working with the Catena family of wineries for nearly 20 years, eventually taking over the Alamos cellar in 2016. Alamos wines are internationally renowned for their ability to blend quality grapes from various terroirs and elevations. At high elevations, the intense sunlight leads to thicker grape skins and richer, more flavourful wines, while the crisp, cool nights allow the grapes to gain complexity while retaining balance and acidity. The mineral-rich irrigation from mountain snowmelt also add to the rich, layered aromas and flavours of Argentina's signature varieties.

Without a doubt, Malbec is Argentina's signature varietal with 23 percent of the country's vineyards planted to the varietal and two out of every three bottles exported to other countries. Malbec is grown from north to south and this particular bottling is from the small winegrowing sub-region of La Consulta in the southern Uco Valley of Mendoza. It was grown and hand-picked at high-altitude vineyards between 910 to 1,520 metres (2,985 to 4,986 feet) elevation. At the winery, the grapes were de-stemmed, crushed, and fermented in upright and conical tanks, with each Malbec lot kept separate throughout the vinification process. The wine was aged in French oak for 9 to 12 months prior to blending, then aged another 4 months in bottle.

I first enjoyed the 2016 Alamos Selección Malbec in November 2020. I also enjoyed the 2018 vintage when it first arrived on shelves in July of last year and am curious to see if it has evolved much over the past 8 months...

Tasting Notes:

ALAMOS SELECCIÓN MALBEC 2018 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#322800) (XD) - $16.95
100% Malbec from high-elevation vineyards between 910 to 1,520 metres (2,985 to 4,986 feet), the medium-high intensity nose offers lush, ripe dark fruited aromas of blackberry, purple fruit, violet, and dried herbal spice with some savoury, earthy, and stony minerality notes rising out of the glass. It's medium-full bodied with juicy, well-balanced acidity and smooth, rounded, fine-grained tannins that support the ripe blackberry, black cherry, and black raspberry, smoky mineral, and wood flavours. Slightly tangy with a touch of warmth on the mid-palate, while smoky mineral, wood, black raspberry and dark berry notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines from Alamos are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - E & J Gallo Winery Canada.

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La Posta Pizzella Family Malbec 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this Malbec by La Posta Vineyads, the entry-level brand of Bodega Catena. This red wine is a frequent visitor to LCBO VINTAGES due to its popularity and last arrived at the LCBO in June - with only approximately 10 bottles still remaining on shelves in Ontario.

In 2000, Laura Catena discovered a handful of growers whose results in the vineyards with specific varietals was impressive year-in and year-out. Her first encounter with many of these growers was at a posta del viñatero, or "tavern of the grape grower". They drank wine and spoke passionately for hours about their soils, vines, and quest for superior flavours in their grapes. The wines of La Posta salute these hard-working growers, with each bottle a vineyard-designate wine solely made using their own grapes. Each La Posta label illustrates a story of these individual families and are inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Déco designs of the 1920s and 1930s.

This particular Malbec is grown by the Pizzella Family - two teachers who came from Buenos Aires to Mendoza in 2000 and achieved early success by growing cool-climate Malbec grapes. The soils of their vineyard consist of sandy loam, sand, silt, and clay with 20% stones covered by limestone. Along with their three children, they meticulously work their 10-hectare vineyard together with the goal of uniformity and balance.
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Tasting Note:

LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC 2018 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#166298) (XD) - $16.95
100% Malbec from 20-year-old vines grown at 3,600 feet (1,100 metres) above sea level. 10% of this wine was aged in new French barrels for 10 months, while 30% in 2nd use French barrels. The soft nose is ripe and plummy with blackberry, mulberry, and peppery spice notes along with a streak of stony mineral. It's soft and rounded on the medium-full bodied palate with oak-influenced flavours of dark berry and earth with a touch of sweetness. Acids are well-balanced while light tannins are well-integrated with a mild grip. Savoury and earthy notes linger on the finish, with good length. A casual, entry-level Malbec that has wide appeal. Score: 87 pts

Other wines from La Posta can be found at the LCBO or ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Alamos Selección Malbec 2016 (Argentina) - Wine Review

To continue my series on Malbec wines from Argentina, tonight's wine review is a lovely Malbec that has come through VINTAGES a few times over the past 15 months, and most recently appeared at the LCBO as part of the July 11th LCBO VINTAGES Release - with bottles readily available across Ontario.

This Malbec is produced by Alamos - a label whose roots are based on the founding wine family of Argentina - the Catena family. With more than 100 years of passion and research in winemaking, Alamos strives to put the very best of Argentina into every bottle. The wines of Alamos showcase Argentina’s high-altitude winegrowing to create authentic wines from Argentina's signature grapes grown in Mendoza and Salta. Alamos wines are grown in the shadow of the Andes Mountains at elevations of 3,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level, where intense sunlight, cool evening temperatures, and mineral-rich irrigation from mountain snowmelt translates into rich, layered aromas and flavours of Argentina’s hallmark varieties.

The Winemaker at Alamos is Lucía Vaieretti. She grew up in Mendoza and her family has tended vines for more than 40 years. Lucía also worked the vineyards by picking grapes and pruning vines with her family when she was young. After completing high school, Lucia attended South America's oldest and most prestigious school of viticulture and oenology - Don Bosco in Mendoza. While still studying at Don Bosco, she began working for the Catena Family wineries in Mendoza and joined the company full-time after graduating in 2006. In 2010, Lucía began making wine at Alamos before taking over as head of winemaking in 2016.

The grapes for this Malbec come from La Consulta, within the Uco Valley in Mendoza, from an area that is tucked under the massive shoulders of the Andes Mountains in west-central Argentina. The grapes were grown at high-altitude between 3,000 to 5,000 feet. These high-altitude desert vineyards are irrigated by mineral-rich snowmelt from glaciers and snowfields. At this altitude, the air is clear and there is more sunlight. At night, the cold air sweeps down from the mountains to give the grapes the structure and complexity to balance perfectly with the intense flavours that make Malbec from Mendoza so unique.

Tasting Note:

ALAMOS SELECCIÓN MALBEC 2016 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#322800) (XD) - $17.95
100% Malbec hand selected from special blocks within their favourite vineyards at high-altitude between 3,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level. The medium+ intensity nose delivers ripe blackberry, earthy, and chocolate aromas with a touch of herb. It is medium-full with good fruit concentration and flavours of blackberry, smoky mineral, and savoury notes on the spicy palate accented by herbal and subtle oak influence. It has lively acidity and supple tannins that are well-integrated, along with some purple fruit notes on the mid-palate. The long finish has more blackberry and smoky mineral notes with a touch of white pepper spice. Great buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines from Alamos can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - E & J Gallo Winery Canada.

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Trapiche Gran Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 (Argentina) - Wine Review

For tonight's wine review, I opened this nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Wines of Argentina that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on June 27th - with plenty of bottles still available across Ontario.

It is produced by Trapiche, a winery that was founded in 1883 and has received worldwide recognition for its relentless quest for innovation. Trapiche has constantly challenged itself over the years, improving their understanding of the land and using state-of-the-art technology to produce high quality wines. The winery pioneered innovations such as the introduction of French varieties, the use of French oak barrels, and the production of micro-terroir wines.

Bodega Trapiche's inquisitive nature led the winery to find unique, remote locations to grow grapes not only in the mountainous landscape of Mendoza, but also in the oceanic influenced region of Chapadmalal. The grapes for this red wine come from La Consulta, in the Uco Valley, one of the key regions that became specialized in the cultivation of fruit and vegetables during the twentieth century.

This Gran Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon was created to pay homage to the winery's 125th anniversary, with the grapes coming from vineyards in La Consulta, in the Uco Valley, Mendoza, that were grown at an altitude of 950 to 1,050 metres above sea level on clay-sandy loam soils settled on boulders. The grapes were hand-harvested and fermented in a combination of classic and spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts in concrete eggs. It was aged for 18 months in new Frenck oak barrels, then aged in bottle for a further 6 months prior to release. Let's see how this Argentine Cab is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRAPICHE GRAN MEDALLA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2016 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#13608) (XD) - $26.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown at high-altitude of 950 to 1,050 metres above sea level. The medium-high intensity aromas are rich with red and black fruits, cherry, currant, and cassis surrounded by oak vanillin. Pretty, dried berry and floral aromas emerge with time in the glass. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated with firm, structured, slightly chalky textured tannins and lively, sour acidity. Spicy flavours of red and black berries, currant and oak lead to a long, juicy, chocolatey, and lightly mineral finish. Approachable now, but I would cellar for 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

Many other delicious wines from the Trapiche are also available at the LCBO, as well as ordered via their Agent - Dandurand.

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