Errazuriz and Finca Decero Private Tasting

Another solid tasting by Wine Company, a local distributor with a dream portfolio of wines. The wines of Errazuriz and Decero were poured in a sit down format with winemaker Marco Fernandez of Decero as the guest speaker. While many of the wines showed the recurrent theme of balance, good acid levels, and loamy minerality they all had some unique aspects. The biggest surprise for me was the level at which the wines drank versus their price points. While traditionally not a big fan of Chilean and Argentinean wines this was quite eye opening for me. Kudos to Larry C of Wine Company for putting on another successful event!

Some well made QPR Roses and a solid QBA from Selbach.

• 2009 Bio-Weingut H. u. M. Hofer Zweigelt Rosé 89 Points

  Austria, Niederösterreich, Weinviertel

  Nose: Some subtle herbal and floral aromas. Palate: Crisp and dry with some strawberries and just a trace of spritz. Nice Rose although for me the Tavel was better.

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• 2009 Domaine des Carteresses Tavel 90 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Tavel

  Nose: Good minerality with cherry and strawberry aromas. Palate: Cherry and strawberry interplay with a clean mineraly finish. Very nice Rose and my favorite of the two.

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• 2008 Selbach Riesling 89 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Nose: Fresh and floral. Palate: Off dry entry with good acids followed by a nice finish. Decent QBA.

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• 2008 Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard 89 Points

  Chile, Casablanca Valley

  Nose: Grassy with some underlying mineral. Palate: Split pea and herbal flavors. Good acidity. New Zealand meets old school California Sauv Blanc in terms of style. Clean albeit somewhat quick finish.

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• 2007 Errazuriz Chardonnay Wild Ferment 90 Points

  Chile, Casablanca Valley

  Nose: Some oak char and fig elements. Palate: Fig showing with good acidity and a crisp finish. Balanced and a good porch pounder Chard.

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• 2008 Errazuriz Carménère Max Reserva 89 Points

  Chile, Aconcagua Valley

  Nose: Earthy, dark fruits with some chalk and mineral. Palate: Blackberries and spice. Good example of a cleanly made Carmenere without too much of the Chilean funk.

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• 2007 Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon Aconcagua Valley 89 Points

  Chile, Aconcagua Valley

  Nose: Some Chilean funk and loam. Palate: Blackberries with firm spice. Decent effort although not entirely identifiable as Cab Sauv. Clean finish.

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• 2007 Errazuriz Syrah Max Reserva 90 Points

  Chile, Aconcagua Valley

  Nose: Floral with chalky loam. Palate: Dark fruits and some Asian spice. Nice effort.

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• 2008 Finca Decero Malbec Remolinos Vineyard 91 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Agrelo

  Nose: Cedar with some loam. Palate: Soft and balanced with black fruits, some spice, and an elegant finish. Really nice Malbec for the price. Extra point awarded for QPR.

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• 2007 Finca Decero Cabernet Sauvignon Remolinos Vineyard 90 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Agrelo

  Nose: Nice and loamy with dust and dark fruits. Palate: Big spice with the dark fruits and loam showing. Like all the Decero wines quite balanced.

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• 2007 Finca Decero Petit Verdot Remolinos Vineyard 88 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Agrelo

  Nose: Good floral qualities that showed more with aeration. Palate: A bit astringent although this was not decanted. Although the astringentcy did subside with time/air I just don't get Petit Verdot as a single varietal, and given the big jump in price for this versus the other Decero wines the 88 score sums it up. Where Malbec is a blending grape that has many faces (and works as a single varietal offering) I don't feel Petit Verdot shares this benefit (at least not in what I've tried thus far).

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• 2006 Finca Decero Amano Remolinos Vineyard 91 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, Agrelo

  Nose: Very prevalent minerality and dark fruits. Palate: Firm yet balanced tannins and dark fruits. Very balanced and nuanced wine. While tied with the Malbec the QPR aspect of the Malbec edges out this wine for me although this is a very solid effort.

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