Saturday Walk Around Tasting

Justin from Aleph distributing was our host. He brought a couple of well known, easy drinking, old friends, one sparkler, and a Vino Vherde. We also tried the first Tempranillo I have seen from Argentina, and another old friend, Aguaribay Malbec. The crowd was lively and interested.

• NV Charles de Fère Rose Dry Reserve 86 Points

  France

  Have not tried this for almost a year, this may be from another batch, as they don't use a vintage. This taste did not seem as structured as last time. There is a definite sweetness across the palate that does not hurt anything, but might mask some of those awesome red fruit flavors we see in the color and the nose. Lots of super fresh and bright red raspberry, and strawberry flavors. Small little aggressive bubbles. Nicely balanced acid against the sweetness that identifies itself again on the finish. Still a very nice effort for a method traditional sparkling. I suspect tasting this today my palate had already been infected with a few tastes of red wine that tainted my ability to perceive the delicacies of this very well respected sparkler.

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• 2010 Octave Vinho Verde 86 Points

  Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde

  I'm pretty sure we can consider this a different vintage from the wine we tasted, bought and drank last summer. My experience seems to be this one is a little less assertive with the fresh fruit, than what we drank last year. Very smooth, soft and easy drinking. Only 9% alcohol. I'm sure vinified, settled, bottled and shipped this since September/October. Just a little bit of spritz. Lots of peaches pear and lemon. Lively acidity that brings everything together. Wish it was pool season.

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• 2009 Santa Julia Tempranillo Organica 89 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  Was pretty surprised with the quick hitting intensity of the fruit on this wine. It has that high altitude ripeness we have come to appreciate from Argentina, in pretty sharp contrast to the more brooding style of Tempranillo we often get with the Spanish version. This wine is alive, and happening. There is a spicy, mildly rustic background to the luscious red raspberry, and cherry fruit. The nose has a hint of violets with lots of earthy red fruit. Not much more than medium bodied, there is a certain amount of finesse to the intensity. Very harmonious and well put together. The acid glides in past the fruit at the back of the palate. The oak is well integrated, rounding things out with minimal intervention. Grippy little tannins toward the finish. Hope this is an indication that Tempranillo has a bright future grown in Argentina.

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• 2009 Baron Edmond de Rothschild Malbec Aguaribay 86 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza

  This Malbec has become quite popular around here, it even sells well in restaurants that don't center their cuisine around wine, and in in some beer joints. I've tried several vintages, and think this is the best so far. It seems a little more complete, and less one dimensional than previous vintages. I think there is more influence from oak, not that oak is bad, in this case it definitely adds complexity. The fruit is very ripe. The wine making is very clean. None of those hard to describe off flavors and aromas. Dark magenta color. Blueberries and blackberries coat the palate on entry. More mid palate than some of the past vintages of Malbec. Soft tannins . You can't go wrong with this wine. Leaves some vanilla and graphite with roasted crushed blueberries on the finish.

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