Arriba El Norte

The CIA (Culinary Institute of America) location in San Antonio is celebrating 5 years and put on event with chefs from Mexico:
Angel Garcia - Tampico
Andrea Martinez - Monterrey
Juan Ramon Cardenas - Saltillo
Alfredo Villanueva - Monterrey
creating five dishes paired with wines from L A Cetto, a winery in Baja California Valle de Guadalupe
Shigoku Oyster with Geoduck
Tamal Vegetariano
Grouper in red wine/beef broth
Ribeye en Excabeche
Arroz con Cabrito
Chulas Frontera del Norte, an Apple Almond Financier, appel cumin butter, figs, and aged tequila ice cream

• 2014 L. A. Cetto Chenin Blanc

  Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

  Pale straw. Light varietal flavors, off dry. with a bit more brightness this could be very nice, but pleasant enough.

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• 2014 L. A. Cetto Chardonnay

  Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

  light yellow gold. Surprisingly good, correct chardonnay flavors. Nice acidity to go well with food.

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• 2013 L. A. Cetto Petite Sirah

  Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

  inky dark colored. some funky vinyl aromas. while recognizable as petite sirah, this came across a bit heavy and tiresome to me. My least favorite of the tasting.

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• 2013 L. A. Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Privada

  Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

  Albeit with fairly limited experience, this is easily the best cabernet from Mexico that I've had to date. A bit lean and elegant styled that stood up well to Ribeye.

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• 2010 L. A. Cetto Nebbiolo Reserva Privada

  Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

  fairly deep garnet colored. some nice smoky, and rich plummy flavors, excellent balance. Really quite a nice wine and easily the WOTN. I would seek this out

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Overall a rather celebratory night. The wines mostly exceeded my expectations with the nebbiolo surprisingly excellent.

They announced that "nao" is re-opening as a Latin Gastro Bar on October 15th.