Six Grapes Together After More Than 50 Years

The six noble grapes of Bordeaux are together for this first time in many years. Yorkville Cellars (Mendocino County, CA) just announced the release of six varietal wines planted in the same vineyard from the same vintage year (2006). It is believed to be the first time ever that a winery produces bottles of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
From owner Edward Wallo: “As far as we have been able to determine, Yorkville is the only vineyard where all six of these classic grapes are grown side by side and bottled as individual varietal wines. This allows one to compare the unique qualities of each varietal while not being influenced by different growing conditions, regions, or wine-making techniques.” 
More info here.

An American In Malbec Country

Several very interesting points about the story of Daniel Karlin, a true Angeleno who found love and an amazing business opportunity in Mendoza, and it is now reaping the benefits of a trial and error strategy.
What do people like Nicolás Catena, Santiago Achával, Bernardo Weinert, Paul Hobbs, and many more have in common with Daniel's story? VISION.
From Alternative Latin Investor (free subscription required):

"The original impetus for the business came from a simple observation that tourists to Argentina fell in love with Malbec and Torrontés—the quintessentially Argentine varieties—just like Karlin did when he arrived. The problem was that they had virtually no way of getting more of these rare gems in the U.S."

He basically created "Anuva Wines" a US based Wine Club of Argentinian Wines, and clearing all the hurdles and bureaucracy took a major dose of patience and personal drive.

"“We spent a lot of money on lawyers to be able to understand how to ship wine to people,” Karlin says with a smile. The alcoholic beverage industry in the U.S. is highly regulated. In addition to Anuva’s shipping service to clients and wine club members across the U.S., they have the only wine-tasting service for tourists in Buenos Aires. Anuva also offers in-home wine tastings in select cities in the U.S."

The article goes then into one of the major reasons of why argentinian wines are enjoying so much success even amidst these challenging times:

More below the fold. Click here.

Nicolás Catena: "Our Argentine Malbec Has No Comparison"

In an exclusive interview to a costa rican newspaper, Nicolás Catena, the man who single-handedly change the argentinian wine industry for the better, makes a couple of striking comments about argentine malbec and california wines. It is well worth reading.

"Our Argentine malbec has no comparison, it has red fruit characteristics and concentration unthinkable in a European wine. And consumers are choosing each day a greater proportion of these New World wines."

About the influence that California wines had on his approach to winemaking:

"In the late eighties we started making wine by abandoning the traditional and old Italian or Spanish styles and started using what I call the California version of the French style of Bordeaux and Burgundy. We changed the time of harvesting, extraction method, we starting fermenting in stainless steel tanks and using small new French oak barrels. For the first time an argentinian winery stopped producing wines with excessive oxidation to make wines that tasted what the international markets were demanding".

This father of the modern argentinean malbec is a very proud man:

"Most of the international critics think that Argentine Malbec is unique in the world of red wines and each day increases the demand for it. It is not comparable to anything else because of the greater concentration, exaggerated smoothness and uniqueness of its fruit."

Thanks to his vision, there is a before and after for the mighty Argentinian Malbec.

Bodega Cuvelier Los Andes: The French Cannot Have Enough of Mendoza

The Cuvelier Family from Chateau Leoville-Poyferre (2nd Growth Bordeaux) goes west and sets up shop in Mendoza. Certified French Wine Educator Karl Mann gives us a good rundown of what they are doing:

I had the opportunity the see the winery in Argentina earlier this year during a visit to the Clos de Los Siete Compound. They have one company that manages the vineyards and the irrigation. However, when harvest time arrives, each individual winery then become master of their own arts.To me it is amazing what kind of wines the are producing from vines that are only up to 7 years old. I truly believe that the are amazing wines coming with future vintages.

Michel Rolland is a consultant for the Winery.

Wine tasting in South America: Where to Go and What to Try

Eileen Smith an ex-Brooklynite and freelance writer based in Santiago, Chile, gives a good overview if you are planning a Wine Tasting trip around Argentina or Chile.

Wine tourism is taking hold in South America, and those from the northern hemisphere who are planning a trip should keep in mind that the seasons are reversed down in the southern cone, with the height of summer in January and February and wine harvests generally taking place in March and April.

I made the trip myself a couple of years ago and she is right with this tip:

Entrepreneurial travelers and visitors to Mendoza can rent a car and fill it up with friends and strangers to visit the wineries on their own, (with a designated driver, please!), but more commonly, visitors to the area book day trips with travel agencies to take them amid the rolling hills of the wine region.

If you don't speak any spanish I would suggest that you use a travel agency. Let me know if any of you have any questions. I would gladly help you.

Achaval Ferrer Doesn't Dissapoint The Brits

Jane MacQuitty, wine correspondent for The Times of London (Times Online UK) goes where not even James Molesworth would:

2007 Malbec Achaval Ferrer, Mendoza, Argentina Corney & Barrow (020-7265 2400), £12.49 Cellaring a New World wine may sound daft but Argentina’s full-throttle malbec, the country’s finest red grape, is an obvious contender. Put away this distinguished and already seductive, spicy, mulberry-stashed malbec, from one of the finest Argentine producers, for five years...

Cellaring a Mendoza malbec for more than 2 years? Yes, that's what she is saying. Achaval-Ferrer is making the best and more complex wines in Argentina right now. Very serious stuff.

Premium Malbecs in Buenos Aires

If you are planning to be in Buenos Aires between November 4th through the 6th, there is a very unique tasting event at the magnificent "Alvear Palace Hotel" in the exclusive Recoleta neighborhood. More info here and here. (the info is in spanish. Let me know if you have any questions).

Norton '05 Malbec Reserva VS Lurton '05 Malbec Reserva

Now that the Norton Malbec Reserva '06 is just coming out in the US market, it's a good time to enjoy this showdown between two wines of the '05 vintage. While I haven't tried the '06 yet, I must say that I did not enjoy the Norton Reserva 2005 that much. The 2004 was a little gem of a wine, and absolute delight for only $11.50 at Costco a year ago. Brian Freedman does a great job in explaining many characteristics of the noble malbec grape.
Salud!

Best wine ever under 6 bucks?

After the financial meltdown (thanks W. for everything!) and the state of the economy right now, many wine drinkers are going crazy looking for bargains. And the Holy Grail is to find wines that cost less than $10 but they seem to be more expensive when you actually drink it. And the best choice far and away (and one that it will never disappoint you) is Doña Paula Malbec Los Cardos Lujan de Cuyo. Two months ago I bought six bottles for $5.99 each. Yes, less than 6 bucks, for a very juicy wine, with blackberry, some quince and plenty of plum.
This wine of great varietal character stands out for its aromatic expression, reflecting the typical characteristics of an Argentine Malbec wine. On the nose it opens with notes of red berries and plum. On the palate the wine is soft and fresh, full-bodied and very delightful.
If you are looking for something different for the turkey this is it... Wine Spectator said of the '06 vintage:

"Juicy, with lots of cherry and red plum fruit layered with a red licorice note. Has a sweet, round finish. 88pts."

and Wine Enthusiast gave it 85pts:

"Big and fruity, and for the most part holds together and exhibits more good qualities than its faults. The flavor profile drives full-bodied black fruit and a finish that cuts out quietly. Not over the top in any way."

Now, look at the ratings since 2001 from WS:

'01 87pts
'02 86pts
'03 87pts
'04 82pts
'05 87pts
'06 88pts
'07 85pts (just released)

If you want to know more about Doña Paula.

Thanksgiving and Malbecs

Respected journalist and expert Paul Gregutt from the Seattle Times has some great tips for the best wines for this "economy":

Continuing on the theme of last week — planning your Thanksgiving wines — here is Rule No. 3: Keep your red-wine choices fresh, versatile and inexpensive. Fresh, because young red wines are full of juicy berry fruit flavors that complement the bounty of the harvest, which is, after all, the underlying theme for the holiday feast. Versatile, because there are so many flavors going on — in spices, sauces, stuffing and side dishes — that your wines need to be able to go with the flow. And inexpensive, because thrift fits the current economy. And as an added bonus, value wines are most likely to be fresh and, yes, versatile.

And here the recommendations:

Argentine malbec is surefire. Some favorites in the budget category: Alamos Malbec ($10), Altas Cumbres Malbec ($10), AltoSur Malbec ($10), Altos Las Hormigas Malbec ($10), Conquista Malbec ($8), Doña Paula Los Cardos Malbec ($9), Doña Paula Estate Malbec ($12), Fantelli Malbec ($8), Tilia Malbec ($10), Trumpeter Malbec ($9) and Zolo Malbec ($11).

Complete article:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/wineadviser/2008407722_winecol19.html

Be sure that you read the whole thing. Paul makes some interesting points.