Some excellent wines that remind me to the beautiful Italy and it's fabulous history and culture,
Ciao! Ciao!
RICOMINCIARE ALTISIMO | 100% MALBEC | 2006
REGION: La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Mendoza
WINEMAKING: From the family winery of Jorge Catena, the grapes were hand picked on April 1st into 40lb (18kg) boxes. It then underwent an alcoholic fermentation of 26 days in concrete tanks and barrel aged for 6 months in new oak; 60% American, 40% French.
TASTING NOTES: A deep opaque ruby red with sweet and sour cherries, cranberries in the perfumed nose. The mouth fills out with sweet fruit with hints of different layers that gradually coat your tongue. Cherries, oak, moss, and lead round out the flavors that are spicy with a medium finish.
FOOD PAIRING: Chorizo or grilled sausages
DRINKING GUIDE: Drink now
CARMELO PATTI | 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON | 2003
REGION: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
WINEMAKING: Carmelo Patti is one of Mendoza's best-known winemaking personalities, beloved by all who visit his winery. He carries out every aspect of vinification with his own two hands, creating wine in a truly old-world style. The wines are not released to the market until he deems them well rested, integrated, and matured. Even then, they can be cellared extensively.
TASTING NOTES: Right from the first glance this wine stands out. The color is a light garnet, the aromas earthy with hints of green pepper. On the palate there is a lightness of body that does not detract from a mouth-coating texture. The bright, pure fruit character of the wine leads to an endless finish, leaving you crying out for food.
FOOD PAIRING: A sampler of mature cheeses with country bread
DRINKING GUIDE: Drink now through 2013
LUCA | 100% PINOT NOIR | 2007
REGION: Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza
WINEMAKING: Laura Catena, daughter of legendary Nicolas Catena, launched the Luca wines, named after her son, which have quickly earned their own reputation for quality. The grapes are grown at almost 5,000 feet and aged for a year in oak, 60% new and 40% used.
TASTING NOTES: A soft cherry red in the glass, this wine is the classic color of Pinot Noir. A complex bouquet bursting with dried fruit, rose petals, and dark chocolate draws you right into the rich, mouth watering palate. Despite its youth, it is gently structured and focused with a subtly spicy finish.
FOOD PAIRING: Prosciutto-wrapped figs stuffed with goat cheese
DRINKING GUIDE: Drink through 2013
TERZA VOLTA | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon | 2004
REGION: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
WINEMAKING: Terza Volta has a special meaning for owner/winemaker Flavio Senetiner. It affirms "the third time's a charm; that's why so much dedication, so much effort went into it." Fermented in concrete tanks and macerated for 20 days, this wine was aged in tanks lined with French oak staves. It is unfiltered and was aged for four months in bottle.
TASTING NOTES: Delicious, smooth and rich, this wine has enticing aromas of cedar, pencil shaving, oak, ripe red fruit and plum. Clove and cracked black pepper notes add to the charm. It is racy and elegant on the palate with a crisply-defined cassis and black plum character. This one is a must for red wine lovers.
FOOD PAIRING: Eggplant gratin
DRINKING GUIDE: We have included two bottles of this savory wine to help you kick it up a notch and host a festive dinner party. Drink now and for up to 2-3 years.
PRODIGO | 100% Malbec | 2004
REGION: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
WINEMAKING: Alessandro Speri, a fifth-generation grape grower in Italy, left Milan in 2002 to follow his dream of making Malbec in Mendoza. Together with Italian winemaker Attilio Pagli, he takes special care with the wines by handpicking, aging for 4 months in barrel and finally aging for 4 months in bottle. Prodigo produces intense wines with concentrated characteristics and a level of sophistication reminiscent of Alessandro's Italian heritage.
TASTING NOTES: Like a rich cigar, this wine offers fragrant aromas of mocha, tobacco, vibrant clove, vanilla and black cherry. Settle back in a comfortable chair to linger over the complex components of this garnet colored gem. Melted milk chocolate, minerality and ripe stone fruit flavors create a lasting mouthfeel that is both silky and round with chalky tannins; it finishes with smooth caramel, chocolate and toast.
FOOD PAIRING: Tagliatelle with wild mushrooms, basil and parmesan
DRINKING GUIDE: Refreshing and delicious, we have included one to enjoy now and another to save for a cold winter night, when only the perfect Malbec will warm your toes.
