2011 VISTALBA Corte A
2012 Vina Cobos Felino Chardonnay
Region/Location: Uco Valley, Mendoza
2012 Vinos Cobos Felino Chardonnay
Background: In 1997 the winery Vina Cobos was founded by California wine maker Paul Hobbs and the Argentina wine making partners of Andrea Marchiori and Luis Barraud. Natural yeasts were used. 55% is aged in barrel and 95% is aged in stainless steel tanks. It spends 7 months in French oak barrels with 15% being new.
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,200 feet above sea level
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Color: golden yellow, with some green tints
Aromas: nutty butter with fresh citrus.
Palate: fresh with soft notes of the nutty butter with a sense of some minerality
Finish/Conclusion: It has along clean finish. October 2013
2011 Bramare Lujan de Cuyo
Region/Location: Lujan de Cuyo, Mendozza
Background: Lujan de Cuyo is known as the main zone for the wine growing in Mendoza. The wine is aged for 18 months in French and American oak barrels with 19% being new barrels.
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,100 feet above sea level
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Malbec
Color: deep red
Aromas: soft deep black cherry with chocolate
Palate: .smooth with concentrated chocolatey black cherry flavors with sweet tannins
Finish/Conclusion: extra long finish with the smooth fruit and the soft tannins perfectly blended together October 2013
2011 Bramare Lujan de Cuyo
Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/Location: Lujan de Cuyo, Mendozza
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,100 feet above sea level
Background: Aged for 18 months in French and American oak barrels with 30% being new barrels.
Grape Variety/Varieties:100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: dark purple color
Aromas: sweet black cherry, cedar and some light mint flow from the glass
Palate: .the fruit has fresh sweetness and is balanced within the minty cedar and mild spice notes
Finish/Conclusion: The finish is extra long with some notes of vanilla with all that delicious fruit. October 2013
2011 Bramare Lujan de Cuyo
Region/Location: Lujan de Cuyo, Mendozza
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,267 feet above sea level
Background: From vines as old as 70 years.Aged for 18 months in French and American oak barrels with 70% being new barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties: Malbec
Color: inky dark glass staining purple color
Aromas: fresh black fruits with such depth, There are flowery violets and cedar
Palate: layers of enjoyment with some spice adding to the complexity
Finish/Conclusion: There are some dry tannins in the long finish. October 2013
2011 San Huberto Reserva Malbec
Region/Location: Aminga Valley, La Rioja
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,280 feet above sea level
Background:
Grape Variety/Varieties: Malbec
Color: reddish purple color
Aromas: black berry with salty minerality
Palate: .the same with the fruit being fresh and clean
Finish/Conclusion: A fairly simple medium body wine. The finish has a fair amount of acidity. This wine is enjoyable with or without food. October 2013
2010 San Huberto Nina Malbec
Region/Location: Vistalba, Mendoza
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,280 feet above sea level
Background: 12 months in oak and 12 months in bottle
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Malbec
Color: Aromas: dark red purple color
Palate: soft sweet tannins with the chocolate scented blackberry fruits There is also some tobacco spiciness appearing in its many layers.
Finish/Conclusion: In the long finish, the 14.5 abv shows through with some dry tannins. This would be best enjoyed with food. October 2013
2011 San Huberto Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/Location: Aminga Valley, La Rioja
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,280 feet above sea level
Background: It ages for 12 months in oak before being bottled.
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: slight purplish red color
Aromas: soft black cherry,plum and flowers
Palate: light to medium body with soft tannins and some tobacco notes
Finish/Conclusion: long finish with a medium amount of spiciness October 2013
2009 O.Fournier B Crux Blend
Region/Location: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,600 feet above sea level
Background: Aged in barrel for 12 months in 50% new oak and 50% second used barrels 80% French and 20% American
Grape Variety/Varieties: 50% Malbec, 35% Tempranillo,15% Touriga Nacional
Color: dark red
Aromas: black fruits of plum, deep black cherry, some earthy woods
Palate: medium body with some dry tannins
Finish/Conclusion: long smooth finish of the delicious fruit with the dry tannins. Did not feel the 14.8% abv. October 2013
2009 O.Fournier Alfa Crux Malbec
Region/Location: La Consulta Vineyard ,Uco Valley, Mendozza
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,600 feet above sea level
Background: The vineyard was planted in 1921 and has pre -phylloxera vines. 20 months in new oak barrels(80% French, 20% American)
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Malbec
Color: dark red color
Aromas: concentrated black fruits with some sweet nutty earthiness
Palate: there are sweet tones of flowery black fruits with some earthy wood
Finish/Conclusion: With lots of fresh fruit, the finish is long and elegant. The 15.1% abv is hidden very well. October 2013
2010 Valle de la Puerta Ichanka Bonarda
Region/Location: Famatina Valley, La Rioja
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,280 feet above sea level
Background: The winery was built in 2002 and is one of the most modern wineries. Rain is only about 4 to 8 inches per year. To irrigate the vines they source their water fro 200 feet deep wells.
Grape Variety/Varieties:100% Bonarda
Color: dark purple color
Aromas: overflowing with violets cherries and plums
Palate: the violet covered fruit has some fine grained tannins
Finish/Conclusion: The finish is long and floral with sweet tannins. It is an easy drinking wine. October 2013
2009 La Puerta Gran Reserva Blend
Region/Location: Famatina Valley, La Rioja
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,280 feet above sea level
Background: The winery was built in 2002 and is one of the most modern wineries. Rain is only about 4 to 8 inches per year. To irrigate the vines they source their water fro 200 feet deep wells.
Grape Variety/Varieties: 60 Malbec, 23% Bonarda,17% Syrah
Color: dark purple color
Aromas: aromatic with violets chocolate, blackberry, and black cherry with some smokiness
Palate: there are also some sweet soft grained tannins giving it a medium body with a saltiness
Finish/Conclusion: The finish is long and balances with it all coming together.
October 2013
2011 Familia Schroeder
Saurus Barrel Fermented Pinot Noir
Region/Location: San Patricio del Chanar, Patagonia
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,280 feet above sea level
Background: 6 months in barrel 30% French 70% American –new The 777 clone is used.
Grape Variety/Varieties:100% Pinot Noir
Color: pale red
Aromas: muted with some red fruit appearing
Palate: creamy light red fruits with some spice
Finish/Conclusion: The finish has the creamy light red fruit but is overpowered by the spiciness. October 2013
2011 Familia Schroeder Saurus Select Pinot Noir
Region/Location: San Patricio del Chanar, Patagonia
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,280 feet above sea level
Background: 40% aged in New French and American barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties:100% Pinot Noir
Color: pale red color
Aromas: slightly perfumey with red fruits
Palate: soft red fruits of cherry and strawberry. Pleasantly not fruity.
Finish/Conclusion: The finish is pleasant with its soft fruit and good acidity.
October 2013
2011 Familia Schroeder Saurus Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/Location: San Patricio del Chanar, Patagonia
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,280 feet above sea level
Background: 50 % aged in barrels for 2 months
Grape Variety/Varieties:100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: medium dark red color
Aromas: fresh black cherry with a slight mistiness
Palate: soft grained sweet tannins with concentrated fruit and not sweet
Finish/Conclusion: In the long finish there is also some spiciness. Good Value $13
October 2013
2011 Luca Chardonnay
Region/Location: Gualtallary, Uco Valley
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 4,710 feet above sea level
Background: 14 months in 30% new and 70% used barrels and then 12 months in French barriques aged sur lees
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Color: pale yellow
Aromas: tropical cream
Palate: full bodied cream with some spice buried in there
Finish/Conclusion: The finish was creamy with spice. It was overall missing some character and balance. October 2013
2009 Luca Malbec
Region/Location: Gualtallary, Uco Valley
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,150 feet above sea level
Background: 16 months in 60% new French and 40% in old French barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Malbec
Color: medium dark purple color
Aromas: red cherry with earthy cedar
Palate: smooth with sweet tannins fresh fruit and some woodiness
Finish/Conclusion: The finish has a good amount of acidity to go with the fruit that just lingers. October 2013
2011 Luca Syrah
Region/Location: La Consulta, Uco Valley
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,500 feet above sea level
Background: The vines on average are 48 years old. The wine spends 14 months in new French barrels and 50% in old French barrels before bottling.
Grape Variety/Varieties:100% Syrah
Color: deep dark purple color
Aromas: smoky blackberry, blueberry and tar
Palate: soft with fresh fruit with smoke and some meaty undertones. The tannins are sweet and blend themselves into the wine.
Finish/Conclusion: The tannins in the finish keep the flavors going for a long finish. October 2013
2009 Luca Pinot Noir
Region/Location: Gualtallary, Uco Valley
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 4,710 feet above sea level
Background: 14 months in 30% new and 70% used barrels, 70% new and 30% used French oak barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties:100% Pinot Noir
Color: pale red color
Aromas: vanilla perfume with light red fruits strawberry and cherry
Palate: the red fruits are soft with sweet tannins
Finish/Conclusion: On the finish there is spiciness that tends to dominate the finish. October 2013
2012 Dominio del Plata Benmarco Malbec
Region/Location: Lujan de Cuto and Uco Valley, Mendoza Vineyard
Altitude: approximately 3,080 feet above sea level for the Malbec and 2,130 for the Bonarda
Background: 11 months aged in 60% new French and 40% used American barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties: 95% Malbec 5% Bonarda
Color: medium dark purple
Aromas: fresh cherry and violets
Palate: soft and creamy cherry with some violet perfume
Finish/Conclusion: The finish is long and has good acidity.
October 2013
2012 Dominio del Plata Crios Torrontes
Region/Location: Salta
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 5,577 feet above sea level
Background: This is a blend of the Torontes grape from many different vineyards from Salta region.
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Torrontes
Color: pale with greeninsh tints
Aromas: very aromatic. It offers aroma of gardenias, tropical fruit and white peaches.
Palate: floral with light tones of the tropical/peach fruit
Finish/Conclusion: On the finish it is crisp.
October 2013
2011 Susana Balbo Malbec
Region/Location: Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley, Mendoza
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,608 feet above sea level
Background: 13 months aged in 80% new French and 20% used American barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties: 90% Malbec and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: medium dark purple
Aromas: aromatic with cherry and vanilla
Palate: soft on the palate with the fresh fruit and some tones of mint
Finish/Conclusion: On the finish gentle tannins appear and tends to overpower the fruit. October 2013
2011 Susana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/Location: Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley, Mendoza
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 4,002 feet above sea level
Background: 13 months aged in 80% new French and 20% used American barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec
Color: medium dark purple
Aromas: sweet concentrated aromas of black cherry
Palate: the black cherry has some mint undertones with it as well s some semi sweet tannins
Finish/Conclusion: On the finish the fresh fruit is supported by the semi sweet tannins in the long finish. October 2013
2012 Colome Torrontes
Region/Location: Calchaqui Valley, Salta
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 10,000 feet above sea level
Background:
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Torrontes
Color: pale with green tints
Aromas: mildly aromatic There were restrained aromas of tropical fruit and lychee fruit.
Palate: The fruit was also restrained on the palate but there was a soft mouth feel.
Finish/Conclusion: The finish was flowery and crisp. October 2013
2011 Colome Estate Malbec
Region/Location: Calchaqui Valley, Salta
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 10,000 feet above sea level
Background: 15 months in French barrels 80% used and 20% new
Grape Variety/Varieties: 85% Malbec 8% Tannat 4% Cabernet Sauvignon 3% Petit Verdot
Color: purplish red
Aromas: fresh fruits of plumy chocolate covered cherries
Palate: plumy chocolate covered cherries
Finish/Conclusion: The tannins in the long finish are just enough to enjoy this with or without food. October 2013
2009 Colome Reserva
Region/Location: Calchaqui Valley, Salta
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 10,000 feet above sea level
Background: From vines around 100 years old. The wine aged 24 months in new French barrels and 12 months in bottle before release.
Grape Variety/Varieties:100% Malbec
Color: purplish red
Aromas: concentrated fresh cherry and chocolate
Palate: fruit is dense and fresh but not sweet Also there are sweet soft tannins giving the wine a firm structure.
Finish/Conclusion: On the long beautiful finish some of that 15.9% abv is showing.
October 2013
2012 Colome Amalaya White Blend
Region/Location: Calchaqui Valley, Salta
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 10,000 feet above sea level
Background: Aged in stainless steel for 90 to 120 days before bottling
Grape Variety/Varieties: 85% Torrontes 15 % Riesling
Color: yellow color with green tints
Aromas: honeysuckle, tropical fruits and apricot
Palate: the fruit is very soft and flowery
Finish/Conclusion: It has a floral dry finish. The Riesling adds another dimension to the fruit. The Riesling brings some underlying minerality to the wine. October 2013
2012 Altocedro Ano Cero Malbec
Region/Location: La Consulta,Mendoza and Uco Valley, San Carlos
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 2,700 feet above sea level
Background: Aged for 10 months 25% new and 75% in used barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties:100% Malbec
Color: purplish red color
Aromas: aromatic with fresh concentrated blackberry and blueberry with a hint of vanilla
Palate: there is also a bit of spice
Finish/Conclusion: On the finish the spicy infused fruit is overpowered by the tannins from the wood barrels. October 2013
2011 Altocedro Ano Cero Cabernet Sauvignon
Region/Location: La Consulta,Mendoza and Uco Valley, San Carlos
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 2,700 feet above sea level
Background: Aged for 10 months 25% new and 75% in used barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: light purplish color
Aromas: medium concentrated black cherry with light minty tar
Palate: some woodiness appears in this light to medium bodied wine
Finish/Conclusion: The finish is medium length with just fruit. This is a simple easy to drink wine. October 2013
2010 Altocedro Resrva Malbec
Region/Location: La Consulta,Mendoza and Uco Valley, San Carlos
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 2,700 feet above sea level
Background: Natural yeast was used and aged 15 months in French barrels before bottling
Grape Variety/Varieties: 96% Malbec, 3% Tempranillo, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: dark purple in color
Aromas: blackberry, strawberry and cherry cream
Palate: fresh creamy fruit
Finish/Conclusion: The On the finish there is good acidity and the 15% abv is showing. This wine is overpowered by the oak. October 2013
2010 Achaval Ferrer Quimera
Region/Location: Lujan de Cuyo, Tupungato, Medrano
Vineyard Altitude: approximately 3,300 feet above sea level
Background: Aged for 12 months in 12 months in French barrels
Grape Variety/Varieties: 27% Malbec, 20% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Color: dark purple color
Aromas: blackberry, blueberry, vanilla, stones and chocolate
Palate: stony earthy floor that blends nicely with the soft fruit and mild sweet tannins
Finish/Conclusion: The finish is long with these complex flavors and its good acidity.
October 2013
