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| Though it is grey and dreary here in Seattle, in South America it is summer and the grapes are changing color. This Saturday we are taking a break from the rain and pouring a little liquid sunshine from the southern hemisphere -- a fine selection of wine from Chile and Argentina to warm you up. Both regions enjoy a temperature flux between the warm days and the cool nights perfect for growing grapes with excellent color and tannins. And, due to the vagaries of the world economy, they are also tremendous values. Come bask in the sunshine. |
| 2009 Tomero, Torrantes $12 |
| Torrantes is a distinct Argentinean grape probably brought over by the Spanish in the 16th century. It is a relative of Muscat of Alexandria which accounts for its intense aromatics. Tomero's Torrantes is grown in a high altitude vineyard at 5500 feet. The wine has deep aromas of roses, orange blossoms and jasmine with a fresh mouth-feel full of fruit and minerals. |
| 2009 Bodega Goulart, Malbec Classico $10 |
| Malbec put Argentinean wine on the map. There the vines of this French varietal discovered a new identity. Goulart's Classico offers some initial savory spice, leather and earth notes with an ever so slight floral lift lying over the top of a combo of red and darker red to almost black fruit on the nose. Think of dark raspberry, currant and darker blackberry fruit as the aromatic foundation of the wine which becomes more pronounced with aeration. The palate shows sweet dark red berry fruit flavors accentuated by softer, ripe tannins with a long finish. |
| 2008 Vista Alba, Corte C $13 |
| 80% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon From a vineyard at the foot of the Cordon del Plata, in the Andes Mountains, the Corte C is the inverse of the traditional Bordeaux blend. Here the malbec takes the lead giving forth with intense aromas of red fruit, dried berries and a note of eucalyptus. In the mouth it has a sweet feeling of soft and round tannins with a balanced and long finish. |
| 2009 Bodegas Caro, Amacaya $18 |
| 50% Malbec, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon CARO is a joint venture from CAtena (the Argentine winery) and ROthschild (a French family with just a bit of wine making knowledge.) Amancaya is the native Indian name for a flower of the Andes. The wine is a balance between the Argentine and Bordeaux styles. The aroma is red and black fruit, also black currant and plums with a hint of vanilla and mocha coming from the French oak. On the palate it has a nice tannic texture, round and well-balanced. |
| 2008 Los Vascos, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve $19 |
| Los Vacos is one of Chile's oldest wine estates, purchased in 1988 by Domaine Rothchild, who modernized the winery and started producing bold, full bodied wines. The Reserve, smells of exuberant fruit with highlights of ripe cherries, plums, truffles, blackberries and licorice followed by a surge of black pepper, bay leaf, cloves and nutmeg. The oak blends in harmoniously adding to the wine's complexity with aromas of vanilla, chocolate, coconut, graphite, tobacco, cinnamon and mocha. It possesses an interesting structure with balanced acidity, good volume and a persistent, soft and elegant finish. It is also $1381 dollars less than the price of Lafite. Think of all the money you'll save. |