Capri Ristorante – McLean, VA

Wine ‘s Rest

CONTENT

1. Presenters
2. Participants
3. The wines
4. Information on the wines
5. Member’s wines ratings

PRESENTER: Alfonso Sánchez

TYPE :  Open

 PARTICIPANTS

Mario Aguilar, Juan Luis Colaiacovo, Orlando Mason, Italo Mirkow, Orlando Reos,  Alfonso Sánchez, Jairo Sánchez, Miguel Segovia

TASTING OVERVIEW 

This presentation includes four Spanish appellations that produce excellent wines but with markedly different character  and grape varieties.  The emphasis of this tasting is on assessing the wines individually on its own merits and character rather than comparing them as they are all highly rated but quite different.

1. 2014 La Vizcaina Las Gundiñas Tinto -Bierzo
2. 2005 Baronia del Montsant Clos Englora – Montsant
3. 2013 Mas Doix Salanques – Priorat
4. 2013 Liberalia Toro Cinco – Toro
5. 2010 Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles – Priorat

THE MENU

1. Grilled sausage with peppers
2. Mushrooms risotto
3. Veal ravioli w/ touch of aurora sauce
4. Grilled steak in pepper sauce and roasted vegetables
5. Dessert and/or coffee

INFORMATION ON THE WINES

(All information obtained and condensed from several Internet articles.)

The Wine: A blend of mostly Mencia with Bastardo (Trousseau), Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and Dona Blanca. Mencia is a red-wine grape native to the northwest of Spain. It is most commonly associated with the red wines of Bierzo, which were once light and astringent but, since the discovery of low-yielding vines planted on poor soils high on the hills, have become more intense and concentrated, attracting the attention of the wine-drinking world. Mencia wines tend to exhibit earthy, vegetal characters with berry nuances and stony minerality.

Vinous / Antonio Galloni Opaque ruby. Aromas of ripe dark berries, violet, peppery spices and woodsmoke, with a hint of cola in the background. Sweet, broad and expansive in the mouth, offering sappy blackberry, licorice, cola and floral pastille flavors and a touch of bitter chocolate. The violet quality carries strongly though the persistent, smoke-tinged finish, which features youthful tannins and lingering spiciness.

• Village: Valtuille de Abajo
• Vineyard: Las Gundiñas
• Year of plantation: 1910
• Hectares: 2.2
• Altitude: 510 meters ASL
• Soil: Clay and limestone with lots of depth
• Orientation: East
• Plant density: 3800 vines / hectare
• Varieties: Mostly Mencía with Bastardo (Trousseau), Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and Doña Blanca
• Elaboration: Whole cluster fermentation in large oak vats. 30-60 day maceration followed by one year of aging in used 225-liter barrels. Bottled without fining or filtration.

The Winery: La Vizcaina is a relatively new project from Raul Perez that explores the hillside crus around his hometown of Vatuille de Abajo. Four reds and one white are produced under the name, all from vines with over fifty years of average age. Though all the red wines Raul produces in the Bierzo D.O. are labelled as 100% Mencía, they all in fact contain significant quantities of other local grapes.

Raul Perez is one of the current superstars of Spanish wine, with consultancies and projects all over the country. His family owns Castro Ventosa in Bierzo where he has been making wine since his teenage years, but recently he has embarked on his own projects in Bierzo, Monterrei, Rías Baixas and the stunning Ribeira Sacra. His wines are unique and special, but volumes are very tiny, so we haven’t listed them all here. If you are interested please ask us about availability.

The rich varietal diversity found in Galicia is due in large part to the famous Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint James in the town of Santiago de Compostela, the earliest references to which date back to the 9th century. The monks who made the journey would often carry vine cuttings from their home regions in their packs to offer as gifts to the Spanish monasteries that would put them up along the way. This is certainly the explanation for the preponderance of Trousseau found throughout northwestern Spain.

2005 Baronia del Montsant Clos Englora – Montsant

The Wine: The Clos Englora’s name comes from about one of the emblematic tops of the Montsant’s range, which tops highs more than 1000 mts above sea level. Our logotype is an abstract and personal representation of the mentioned top. The AV14 nomenclature means that the grapes we have used come from “aged vineyards”, and the number 14, is approximately the time that wine remains in barrels.

The wine is blend of Red Grenache (37%), Carignan (21%), Merlot (14%), Cabernet Sauvignon (12%), Syrah (8%), Cabernet Franc (4%), Monastrell (2%) and Tempranillo (2%).

RP: Wine Advocate-Montsant, Spain- “It offers up a perfume of crushed stone, smoke, espresso, Asian spices, black cherry, and blackberry leading to a rich, opulent, layered wine with tons of fruit, plenty of spice…

The Winery: In Montsant area we principally elaborate red wine, and among the different varieties we can point up Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Samsó (cariñena) and purple Garnacha. We have to mention the velvety, complex and meaty characteristics of these wines, which predispose them to a long maturing in wood.
Among the varieties used for the elaboration of white vines, we can point out the white Garnacha which produces aromatic and silky wines.

There are few hectares of vineyards under this mark of origin. The average is about 2,500 stocks of vine per hectare and they produce an average of 2 kg. per stock.

The characteristic orography of the region, with sharp slopes, makes difficult and hard the work of the farmers, but the fruits that grow have a unique personality.

The grounds that form the region of Priorat come from a first extract of sediments formed during the Palaeozoic. Later, during the Mesozoic, this first disposition was followed by a series of violent granite eruptions, which became the base of the present shape of the region. The granite transformed the Palaeozoic sediments into the typical “licorelles” (zones of slaty aspect, of dark colour) and “codols” (rolling stones).

There is a Mediterranean weather that is slightly changed by the common northeastern winds. The temperature is moderate, with an annual average of 16º C. In the cold season, frosts are strange and there is an average of three days of snow per year. The rainy days are of 500 mm per year, and the daily sunshine average is of 7.3 hours.

Read more about  here: http://www.baronia-m.com/lliure/null/1?lang=en

2013 Mas Doix Salanques – Priorat

The Wine: This wine has balance, intensity and purity, while transmitting the authentic character of Priorat. Blend: 65% Grenache, 25% Carignane, 10 % Syrah.

Wine Spectator: This vibrant red offers lively flavors of black cherry, plum, cola and mineral, set in a thick texture supported by firm tannins and orange peel acidity. Shows an alluring balance of power and polish. Drink now through 2023.

The Winery: Mas Doix is in the Priorat D.O.Q. See Technical Note below). The Celler Mas Doix was created by the Doix and Llagostera families in 1998. It is the reinitiation of a tradition that began in 1850. The gold medal obtained in the Universal Exhibition of Barcelona in 1888 and the silver medal won in the Universal Exhibition of Paris in 1878 remind the Doix family of the passion with which Juan Extrems Doix, Juan Doix’s grandfather, used long ago to look after the vineyards and produce his wines.

The phylloxera outbreak did not mean the end of the family’s vineyards. They were replanted with the Garnacha and Carinena varieties, native to the Priorat region, thereby maintaining the growth of the vineyards while the production was sent to the cooperative in Poboleda until it was able to be produced in Mas Doix’s winery. Nowadays, the family labors with love and passion for the fruit grown in their hundred-year-old vineyards so they can produce great wines.

Priorat is probably the most rugged, hardscrabble wine region anywhere. The soil, if you can call it that, is basically decomposed slate and schist, what the locals call llicorella. It is relatively acidic with very little organic material (2%), but it offers incredible drainage and is porous enough to allow the roots of the grapevines to reach deeper than just about anyplace else on earth.

These flat, easily breakable deeply copper coloured stones are where the vine roots delve in search of water and nutrients. It is these soils which are recognised as giving Priorat wines their greatest virtues.  It is the land of “llicorella” , which quickly changes from the gently undulating mountain slopes to abrupt cliff faces where an observer always poses the question as to how on earth they even dared to plant vineyards here! Born of the soil and the region’s specific climate, vines planted here tend to suffer and as a result harvest yields are very low – at less than 1 kg per plant on average. This however means that the wines produced in this area have a very unique personality .

Read more here: http://www.masdoix.com/

2010 Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles – Priorat

The Wine: Old vine Carignane, 65%, with 34% old vine Grenache, and just a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in small French oak barrels.

Parker: “The 2010 Vinyes Velles was taken from barrel and comes from a cooler growing season than 2009, hence its greater sense of restraint and femininity. It displays clean, pure cassis, blueberry and violet aromas that blossom with continued aeration. The palate is understated on the entry and displays filigree tannins, while the texture really caresses the mouth – silky smooth and beautifully poised towards the finish. This is very refined, cool microclimate Priorat winemaking. Drink 2016-2025+.”

The Winery: Ferrer Bobet is located in the Porrera region.  Porrera is one of the coolest parts of the Priorat, thanks largely to the marked influence of northeasterly winds, with a subtle moderating effect from the Mediterranean, and its topography, characterized by some of the highest and steepest vineyards in the appellation. These factors combine to create strong temperature variations between night and day which guarantee optimal phenolic ripening and the preservation of acidity, freshness and aromas. Likewise, its multiple aspects create a rich diversity of mesoclimates and offer the opportunity to create wines of particular complexity and depth.

At Ferrer Bobet, all of this is combined with almost exclusively slate soils, known locally as llicorella, which are a feature of only the top vineyards in the Priorat and which play such a key part in the unique personality of these wines.

To date we have used hundred-year-old Carinyena and Garnatxa Negra vines from exceptional vineyards which benefit from all of these qualities and with whose owners we share longstanding ties of friendship, esteem and respect. Ferrer Bobet’s own vineyards were planted near the winery in 2004 and 2005 with Carinyena, Garnatxa Negra, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Roussane. These vines stand on slopes and terraces which were carefully selected after exhaustive edaphological and adaptability studies. For each variety, we only use low vigour rootstocks and clones, aiming for perfectly balanced vines. The grapes from these vineyards, together with other exceptional young vines from around Porrera, will finally see the light of day in 2015 with the release of our third wine, Ferrer Bobet.

Of the estate’s seventy hectares, only fifteen have been planted, in line with our respect for the biodiversity of this unique countryside. And there is one more feature which is absolutely fundamental for us: strictly organic viticulture which completely excludes the use of insecticides and herbicides.

Read more here: http://www.ferrerbobet.com/inicio-en.html

2013 Liberalia Toro Cinco – Toro

The Wine: Wine Advocate-Toro, Castilla Leon, Spain- “…sourced from older vines and spent 19 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it gives up a nose of toasty new oak, graphite, lavender, espresso, tapenade, and blackberry. Jam-packed on the palate…”

The Winery: There is little information about this winery. Juan Antonio Fernandez acquired the winery in 1996 and started wine production in 200.  Vineyards are all located in Toro in several villages platen with vines between 30 and 100 years old. (See technical note below for information about the Toro DO).

Read more here (in Spanish): http://www.liberalia.es/

VINOTABLES RATINGS FOR THIS TASTING: (TBA)

• 2014 La Vizcaina Las Gundinas Tinto – Bierzo – Very Good
• 2005 Baronia del Monsant Clos Englora – Monsant – Excellent
• 2013 Mas Doix Salanques – Priorat – Excellent
• 2010 Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles – Priorat – Excellent
• 2013 Liberalia Toro Cinco – Toro –  Very Good

View full evaluation here:Summary of Tasting Scores meeting 59 Spain

Best Rated Wine: 2010 Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles – Priorat 

Best Buy:  2005 Baronia del Monsant Clos Englora – Monsant

View full evaluation here: Summary of Tasting Scores meeting 59 Spain

TECHNICAL NOTES

Bierzo. (from Wine Searcher) Bierzo was accorded DO status in 1989 and in the past few years has experienced a surge in popularity thanks to the high-profile winemaker Alvaro Palacios of Priorat fame establishing vineyards there.

Bierzo’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean has a profound effect on its overall climate, with average temperatures during the growing season much cooler than in Castilla y Leon’s more inland areas, making it rather mild. Average rainfall is around 28 inches (720mm). Nevertheless, the Cordillera Cantábricamountain range in the north provides the vineyards with adequate shelter, ensuring that the local Mencia grapes achieve optimum ripeness to produce lively, fruity and often intense red wines. Like many other Spanish wines, these are categorized by the length of their maturation (including the time spent in oak barrels). Garnacha is another important red grape variety here and is primarily used in blends.

Bierzo’s soil is different from that found in other parts of Castilla y Leon in that it contains a predominance of slate and granite. This favors the Mencia vines and helps them to produce wines with a distinct mineral character. The wines tend to be lighter in terms of alcohol and more refreshing than those from other parts of Castilla y León.

White wines are also produced in Bierzo, predominantly from Dona Blanca, Godello(Verdelho) and Palomino grapes. Rosé wines may also be produced, although a minimum of 50 percent Mencia is required.

The titles Crianza and Reserva may be added to wines that meet certain criteria. Crianza wines from Bierzo must be aged for a minimum of two years, with six months in oak barrels of a capacity of less than 264 gallons (1000 liters). Red Reserva wines must spend 12 months in oak barrels and 24 months in bottle, a total of three years.

Toro. (from Wine Searcher) Toro is a wine region in Castilla y Leon, north-western Spain, known for its powerful red wines made from Tempranillo. It is named for the town of Toro, an ancient settlement located on the Duero River (which bisects the region’s northern half) just 40 miles (65km) east of the Portuguese border. The Spanish word toro means ‘bull’, and while it is unclear precisely how the town’s name came about, the bull is nonetheless a fitting symbol for robust, red Toro wines.

In terms of grape varieties, Tinta de Toro (the local form of Tempranillo) is by far the dominant grape variety in Toro. A tiny amount of Garnacha is also grown, mostly for use in Toro Rosado (the region’s rosé wine), alongside small quantities of Malvasia Blanca and Verdejofor use in white Toro Blanco.

Toro’s climate is decidedly continental, just like the other wine regions of the Castilian plateau (neighboring Rueda, Cigales and Ribera del Duero). This means hot, dry summers followed by cold, harsh winters. Although the vast expanses of the Atlantic Ocean lie both to the north and west, Toro’s vineyards are deprived of any significant maritime influence by the Cordillera Cantábrica, the mountain range that separates Castilla y Leon from Spain’s north coast. Temperatures here range from 12F to 97F (–11C to 36C), and the annual rainfall average is very low – just 14in (350mm). The Duero River provides a much-needed source of water, and vineyards stray very little from its path.

Altitude plays an important role in Toro’s terroir. The region lies at the very heart of Castilla y Leon, on the vast, high plateau that separates the Cordillera Cantábrica and Sistema Central mountain ranges. Most Toro vineyards sit at altitudes between 2000ft (600m) and 2800ft (850m) above sea level, which helps to cool the climate slightly; air temperature drops about 1.1F/0.6C with every 330ft/100m of altitude.

High daytime temperatures, low rainfall and abundant sunshine combine to create powerful, high-alcohol wines. If left unchecked, Toro’s Tempranillo grapes would ripen with very high potential alcohol, resulting in wines of up to 16% alcohol by volume (ABV). Local wine laws (as administered by the Consejo Regulador de Toro) impose an upper limit of 15% ABV, but in practice most producers try to keep alcohol levels below 13.5% in order to keep the wines approachable and balanced. Toro’s red wines may be labeled with terms such as Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva . These indicate how long a wine is aged before commercial release.

Toro’s obvious potential as a wine region has encouraged wine producers from other regions (both Spanish and foreign) to establish wineries there. Prominent among these are Numanthia-Termes, Vega Sicilia Pintia, Bodegas Mauro (Eduardo Garcia) and Campo Elíseo (Michel Rolland and Francois Lurton). This increasing interest has helped to rejuvenate the Toro region and its wines – an effect which has spilled over into other parts of Castilla y Leon.

Priorat. Priorat is a small, mountainous region to be found nestled in the centre of the counties of the Tarragona province in North-Eastern Spain which is also Southern Catalonia.

A difficult terrain, equally difficult to work, a landscape of intriguing angles. From the highest of hills, the Priorat appears to be a sea of dark stone waves, just a short distance away from the true sea, the Mediterranean. The land is surrounded by higher mountain ranges, which display a very different geological heritage.

The Montsant Mountain (1,162 m.) range borders the Priorat wine appellation to the North; the Figuera and Lloar peaks are to the West and the Molló mountains can be found to the East. The region opens up to the Siurana River in the South, whose waters flow down towards the Ebro River.

The Siurana River traverses this wine region from North-East to South-West, carving out a sinuous and tortuous trail, surrounded on all sides by hills.

The wine appellation is made up of nine villages: Bellmunt del Priorat, Gratallops, Porrera, Poboleda, Torroja del Priorat, la Vilella Alta, la Vilella Baixa, el Lloar and la Morera de Montsant, which includes the hamlet of Scala Dei (Escaladei in Catalan) where the monastery ruins are to be found. There are also two further defined areas which fall partly within the municipal areas of El Molar and Falset, the capital of the administrative county.

–  Total surface 180 Km2 – 17,629 HA  – 43,562 acres

–  Total vineyards: 12% land – 2,000 HA – 4,696 acres planted

–  Total grape growers: 600

–  Total wineries: 104

Mas Doix winery was created in the village of Poboleda, at the North-East part of the Priorat, close to the Montsant mountain and the Siurana valley.

Read More about Priorat wines in general here: http://winefolly.com/tutorial/in-search-of-the-best-wines-from-priorat/?utm_source=Wine+Folly&utm_campaign=4a937ac402-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_13&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a18d8bdc1b-4a937ac402-82476885&mc_cid=4a937ac402&mc_eid=fbaf2a3270

Montsant. (from Wine Searcher)  Montsant is a wine region in Catalonia, northern Spain. The gently undulating area was formerly categorized as a viticultural sub-zone of Tarragona, but local growers felt the high-altitude vineyards here earned the region recognition as a DO in their own right. As a result, the Montsant DO was created in 2001, its name taken from the Montsant massif (‘holy mountain’) that dominates the region’s landscape.

Montsant lies west of Tarragona city and forms a ‘C’ shape that almost completely surrounds the prestigious Priorat region. Vines were first introduced to the area by the Romans thousands of years ago, and Catholic monks continued the viticultural tradition during the Middle Ages. By the 19th Century, wines from Montsant were receiving praise at universal exhibitions.

Montsant’s most prized vineyards are located in terraces on steeply sloping sites, often interspersed with pine, almond and olive trees (the region is also known for its excellent olive oils). Here, the vines benefit from intense Mediterranean sunshine during the day and relatively cool temperatures at night. This high diurnal temperature variation assists in the development of complex aromas in the grapes, while preserving vital acidity. The soil is a local specialty known as ‘llicorella‘, which is high in granite and slate components. Together, these growing conditions result in the region’s wines being concentrated and expressive of the local terroir. The average altitude of the zone is 1180ft (360m) above sea level, rising steadily in the northwest and southeast as it approaches the Montsant and Montsalt mountains respectively.

Montsant has earned a reputation for its high-quality red wines, particularly those based on old Garnacha and Carinena (Carignan) vines. Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Spain’s darling, and international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah also perform very well here. Most red wines are typically intended for aging and exhibit velvety textures even after a short time in oak. The old vines offer particularly complex examples.

 Capri Ristorante – McLean, VA

CONTENT

1. Presenters
2. Participants
3. The wines
4. Information on the wines
5. Member’s wines ratings

PRESENTERS: Orlando Reos

TYPE :  Blind

 PARTICIPANTS: 

Members: Juan Luis Colaiacovo, Orlando Reos, Alfonso Sánchez, Jairo Sánchez, Peter Scherer, Miguel Segovia

Guests: Ricardo Santiago

TASTING OVERVIEW 

This tasting focus on exploring modern wines from Argentina.  The tasting includes a white blend, two red blends and a Pinot Noir from Patagonia.  One of the red blends is Bordeaux-style and the other is a Malbec-based blend.  The wines to be tasted are:

1. 2013 Alma Negra, White Blend, Mendoza 
2. 2015 Chacra Barda, Pinot Noir, Patagonia, Rio Negro
3. 2014 Ben Marco Expresivo, Valle de Uco, Mendoza
4. 2013 Susana Balbo Brioso, Dominio del Plata, Mendoza

THE MENU

1. Seafood Salad
2. Mushrooms with spinach and ricotta
3. Ravioli di Vitello
4. Grilled Lamb with potatoes and vegetables
5. Dessert and/or coffee

INFORMATION ON THE WINES

(All information obtained and condensed from several Internet articles.)

The Wine: Alma Negra V is a blend of Viognier, Chardonnay, and Gewürztraminer.

Vinous / Antonio Galloni – “Pale straw-yellow. Aromas of ripe pear, stone fruits, white flowers, clove and vanillin oak. Nicely concentrated and delineated, with brisk acidity giving a firm edge to the flavors of lemon peel, flowers, licorice and lichee. Initially the wine’s glyceral texture and almost tart acidity seemed to clash but this blend harmonized nicely in the glass. Finishes with a refreshing bitterness and very good grip and length. A lively, intriguing and distinctive white wine, but give it another year or so before pulling the cork.

The Winery: Alma Negra means “Black Soul”, because the color of the wines made from the bonarda grape is deep and intense. The the first wines made, which where all reds, had a real “black soul” when you saw them in the glass. Ernesto also wanted to create a wine about which little was known, the composition or technical details, so that the wine was judged solely on how the taster perceived it. When the line was launched in 2006, the wines were named Misterio, and the mask on the label was a symbol for a hidden identity or mystery.

Ernesto Catena, the owner of Ernesto Catena Vineyards in Argentina, is the eldest son of Nicolás Catena of Catena Zapata. A 4th generation winemaker, Ernesto has traveled and lived around the world, and along the way has earned a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and Economy, a Master’s in Design in Milan and a degree in history in London.  Defined by many as the “bohemian” side of the Catena family, Ernesto is a tireless and avid reader, painter, art collector, horseman, polo player and archer.  While president of Bodegas Escorihuela, Ernesto felt the need to produce wines that would reflect his basic beliefs:  high quality, a different style from the majority of wines being made at the time, smaller volumes and a strong brand concept. In 2002, Ernesto Catena Vineyards was created to express those beliefs.

Read More about the winery here: http://www.vineyardbrands.com/producer.aspx?id=110#producerBio

2015 Chacra Barda, Pinot Noir, Patagonia, Rionegro 

The Wine: James Suckling – “A fantastic red with ginger, dried strawberry, wet earth and fresh leather aromas and flavors. Full body, silky tannins and a fantastic finish. Superb. Best Barda ever. Drink now.”

The Winery: (From Wine.com) Bodega Chacra is located in the Rio Negro Valley of northern Patagonia, 620 miles south of Buenos Aires, 1,240 miles north of Tierra del Fuego, and roughly equidistant west to east from the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. The property’s situation in the arid central Argentine desert is tempered by the confluence of the Neuquen and Limay Rivers, both of which flow from the Andes and converge in the Rio Negro, which in turn flows into the Atlantic. The Rio Negro Valley itself is a glacial bed 15.5 miles wide stretching 310 miles along the river’s banks at an elevation of 750 feet above sea level. The valley is irrigated by a network of channels excavated in the late 1820s by British colonists who observed the abundant snow melt flowing from the Andes and created an oasis in the middle of the desert.

The climate is dry, with maximum humidity of thirty percent and an average of seven inches of rainfall annually. This aridity, coupled with the natural barrier of the surrounding desert, results in a complete absence of phylloxera and vine diseases. The air is pristine and without pollution, creating tremendous luminosity and purity of sunlight. During the ripening period, in the first quarter of the year, diurnal temperatures vary widely, ranging from an average of 82.4F (28C) during the day and 48.2F (9C) at night. The seasons are precisely defined, with hot summers, cold winters and mild springs and autumns. This consistency of climate enhances consistency of the wine from vintage to vintage.

Read more about  here: http://www.bodegachacra.com/

2014 Ben Marco Expresivo, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 

The Wine: Winemaker’s Notes: #24 in Suckling’s “50 Best Value Wines Under $50.00 in 2016.”BenMarco Expresivo, a wine with aromas of blackberry, peppercorn tree, violet, mineral notes, balanced natural acidity and firm fine-grained tannins.Pairs well with a grilled steak, roasted pork loin, veal, medium-strong cheeses, and most cream sauces.

The Wine Advocate – “The one blended wine in the BenMarco line that I tasted was the 2014 BenMarco Expresivo, in this case it’s 80% Malbec and 20% Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary, from a young vineyard that gives low yields. The fermentation was completely natural, without any added yeasts, and the élevage was extended to 14 months, also in used French oak barrels. There is more influence from the élevage here, with some smoky, toasty and spicy notes over the core of violets, cherries and just a tiny herbal twist. The palate shows some abundant fine-grained tannins that point at the need to give it some more time in bottle and enjoy it with some hearty food.”

The Winery: (From Wine.com) In 1999 Susana Balbo crafted a line of wines to showcase the ripe fruit expression of her sustainably-farmed Mendoza vineyards. The philosophy is a simple one: grow great grapes and make wines that are true to their place. Minimal intervention during the growing season and through harvest allows the true fruit character to develop. Combine this with Susana’s winemaking skills and the result is wines that express the powerful fruit flavors, the ripe tannins and the incredible length and balance that can only come from this one place: Mendoza.

Read more here:http://en.susanabalbowines.com.ar/

2013 Susana Balbo Brioso, Dominio del Plata, Mendoza 

The Wine: Dark red-ruby. Peppery dark fruits, black tea, cedar and fresh herbs on the vibrant nose. Reveal a terrific purity of fruit perfectly framed by ripe acidity. Finishes broad, with ripe tannins and excellent grip.

This wine pairs well with deef, pork, lamb, squab, quail and duck.

Tasting Panel – “Another stunning wine from one of Argentina’s star native winemakers; this Bordeaux blend, harvested from her own vineyard, is dark and lush with smooth texture and ripe, deep fruit; balanced and long. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 % Malbec, 25 % Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. “

Vinous / Antonio Galloni – “(from estate vines on clay soil adjacent to the winery; aged in 100% new oak): Bright red-ruby. Black cherry, dark berry, tobacco and spice aromas are lifted by an alluring floral topnote. Sappy, concentrated and energetic, offering terrific inner-mouth aromatic lift to its smooth currant and tobacco flavors, with the sexy French oak element in harmony with the wine’s fruit. This very smooth wine shows greater sweetness than the Signature Cabernet. Finishes firm and long, with high-quality tannins and terrific lingering fruit. This high-density vineyard features 8,000 vines per hectare; Susana Balbo noted that production is around one kilo of grapes per vine from just two or three bunches. The pH here is a moderate 3.55, and one can see this in the tension of the tannins.”

The Winery: (See previous wine)

 VINOTABLES RATINGS FOR THIS TASTING:

(See full evaluation here: Summary of Tasting Scores -Meeting 57

Participants ranking, average scores and wine prices :

1. 2014 Ben Marco Expresivo, Valle de Uco, Mendoza
   • Expert Ratings:     RP 92 Pts; JS
   • Member Ratings:     91 Pts.
   • Price: $ 36
2. 2013 Susana Balbo Brioso, Dominio del Plata, Mendoza  
   • Expert Ratings:   AG 92 Pts.
   • Member Ratings:     91 Pts.
   • Price: $50
3. 2015 Chacra Barda, Pinot Noir, Patagonia, Rio Negro
   • Expert Ratings:    RP  92 Pts; JS  96 Pts.
   • Member Ratings:   89 Pts.
   • Price: $ 24
4. 2013 Alma Negra, White Blend, Mendoza
   • Expert Ratings:    AG  89 Pts..
   • Member Ratings:   89 Pts.
   • Price: $25

 Capri Ristorante – McLean, VA

Red and White (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

CONTENT

1. Presenters
2. Participants
3. The wines
4. Information on the wines
5. Member’s wines ratings

PRESENTERS

Jairo Sanchez, Orlando Mason

TYPE :  Blind

 PARTICIPANTS

Members: Orlando Mason, Alfonso Sánchez, Jairo Sánchez, Miguel Segovia

Guests: Jorge Requena, Alberto Gómez

THE WINES 

This presentation includes four undisclosed wines, one white and three reds.  Of the three reds one is a varietal and the other two are blends based on that variety from two viticulture regions and climates .  The objective is to differentiate the wines (variety or blend) and if possible ascertain the varieties. The presenters will provide general indications on the wines to inform the identification.

1. 2014 Anakena Ona Special Reserve,  White Blend,  Leyda Valley 
2. 2013 DeLille Cellars Merlot D2, Columbia Valley
3. 2012 Grgich Merlot Napa Valley 
4. 2012 Chateau La Fleur Cardinale Grand Crue Classe, Saint Emilion  

THE MENU

1. Lobster bisque
2. Pasta with mushrooms
3. Beef short rib in red wine sauce with roasted potatoes and vegetables
4. Cheeses
5. Dessert and/or coffee

INFORMATION ON THE WINES

(All information obtained and condensed from several Internet articles.)

The Wine: Riesling 44% Chardonnay 41% Viognier 15% . Winemaker’s Notes: The ONA Special Reserve range draws on that bold spirit and offers wines that are characteristic of their origins with elegance, finesse and audacity. This complex and elegant blend of Riesling, Chardonnay and Viognier offers a beautiful straw color with extraordinary aromatic intensity. The nose presents mineral notes from the Riesling, tropical fragrance of Chardonnay and flora and peach aromas from Viognier that combine in magnificent harmony on the finish. A refreshing and well-balanced wine with crisp acidity and a persistent finish. Ideal with salads, shellfish and risotto

The Winery: Leyda Valley is a small sub-region of the San Antonio Valley wine region in Chile, located just 55 miles (90km) west of the Chilean capital, Santiago. This cool-climate region enjoys the effects of the cold Humboldt Current of the Pacific Ocean, and consequently produces bright, vibrant wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This close proximity to the coast is what is driving growers to Leyda. Cold ocean breezes and morning fog moderate the overall temperatures, and the valley is therefore significantly cooler than its low latitude might suggest. These cool temperatures are complemented by warm sunshine during the long growing season, letting grapes ripen fully and develop complexity while still retaining acidity. Leyda Valley’s soils are largely clay and loam over a granite base with moderate drainage. These low-fertility soils are good for the production of premium grapes because they make the vines struggle for survival. This results in vines that put all their energy into producing small, concentrated grapes rather than leafy foliage. Wines produced from these grapes tend to be structured and complex.

The vineyard sits on an ancient riverbed millions of years old, which explains the loam soil (with similar proportions of sand, clay, and silt) in the upper 30 cm (11.8 in) and the loam and 50% stone mixture down to 70 cm (27.6 in). Below this is pure stone, which provides excellent drainage and incomparable growing conditions.The vines are drip irrigated in accordance with the respective soil types, which were identified in a study that included two soil pits (1 m wide x 1 m long x 1 m deep) per hectare, or more than 300 pits in total. The study identified the sectors that retain less moisture, in order to reach uniform levels throughout the vineyard.

Read More about the winery here:http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-leyda+valley and here:http://www.anakenawines.cl/en/

2013 DeLille Cellars Merlot D2, Columbia Valley 

The Wine: Winemaker’s Notes: This exceptional vintage demonstrates classical, expressive Merlot notes of floral spices, sweet herbs, pencil shavings, tobacco pouch and mixed berries. There are rich, generous flavors filling the mouth with black cherries, raspberries and kirsch liquor as well as cocoa powder and toasty oak notes. The palate continues with savory qualities tempered by an elegance that has come to define DeLille Cellars. Complete all this with a dramatic finish to experience a memorable and youthful D2. Blend: 57% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

The Winery:DeLille Cellars is a boutique artisan winery located in Woodinville, Washington. The winery was founded in 1992 by Charles and Greg Lill, Jay Soloff and celebrated winemaker Chris Upchurch. The mission at DeLille Cellars has always been to create a new Bordeaux blend using Washington State vineyards. From the beginning, the winery has looked towards the prestigious Red Mountain AVA as the foundation of its wines, using grapes from its own vineyards in combination with fruit from other top sites in the Yakima Valley.

Read more about  here:http://www.delillecellars.com/

2012 Grgich Merlot Napa Valley 

The Wine: Winemaker’s Notes: 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Its bright flavors of strawberries, cherries, licorice and a hint of coffee are wrapped in a velvety texture that make your taste buds ask for more. The wine’s firm tannins and vibrant acidity create the perfect partner with beef tenderloin, rack of lamb, duck and barbecued pork.

Brawny and concentrated in black fruit, It indeed is, with its juicy blackberry, cherry, espresso and clove notes, while remaining varietally correct in terms of its mellowed tannins. We blend this cool climate variety with the same one from our warmer vineyards to create a complex and balanced wine. Its complex flavors of red currant, black licorice and hint of savory herbs are wrapped in a velvety texture that leaves your taste buds asking for more! The wine’s firm tannins and vibrant acidity create the perfect partner with prime rib, rack of lamb or roasted pork.

The Winery: “Since 2003, our vineyards have been in full production, and our wines are 100% estate-grown, produced, and bottled. We have 366 total acres planted in five vineyards that form a string of pearls running through the heart of Napa Valley: American Canyon, Carneros, Yountville, Rutherford, and Calistoga. Each has its own unique climate, and we have carefully chosen the varietals best-suited for each vineyard’s terroir. Because our vineyards are so vital to the success of our winemaking, we put great emphasis on being thoughtful stewards of our land and vines. We have done so for more than 30 years, and that is one primary reason why Grgich Hills has consistently produced award-winning wines that are enjoyed across America and all around the world.”

Read more here:https://www.grgich.com/

2012 Chateau La Fleur Cardinale Grand Crue Classe, Saint Emilion 

The Wine: Winemaker’s Notes: The wine displays a deep, dense-colored hue, while on the nose there are powerful ripe fruit aromas mingling with floral notes. Feminine in style, the wines have a seductive, rich mouth-feel, underpinned by elegant, silky tannins. The finish is long and harmonious, promising very long ageing potential in bottle. These specific tasting characteristics, immediately recognizable to its growing number of followers, are the hallmark of Chateau Fleur Cardinale.

The Winery: The two properties owned by Florence and Dominique Decoster extend across a 23.5 hectare area for the Château Fleur Cardinale, and a 4.5 hectare area for the Château Croix Cardinale.  The two vineyards are planted on clay-limestone soil in the middle of the hillsides and they enjoy an identical harvest, notable for its 75% dominance of Merlot together with 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The growing methods used at Château Fleur Cardinale are traditional, and the thinning of crops and leaves is done without chemical weeding processes.  Fertilization is accurately targeted, and is applied according to the results of analyses made.  Only organically certified fertilizer products are used.  The trellising is designed to optimize the foliar surface area. The natural cover planting is managed on the land plots at a moderate level.  ‘Artifical’ cover planting (tall fescue) is grown on robust plots.  Soil is systematically decompacted every year on all land plots on every other row.

Read more here:http://www.fleurcardinale.com/en/

 VINOTABLES RATINGS FOR THIS TASTING:

Rating Scale:

• 96-100 Pts. – Exceptional
• 90-95 Pts.  –  Outstanding
• 86-89 Pts.  –  Very good
• 81-85 Pts.  –  Good
• 76-80 Pts.  –  Acceptable
• 75 or fewer – Mediocre

Participants ranking, average scores and wine prices :

1. 2012 Chateau La Fleur Cardinale Grand Crue Classe, Saint Emilion 
   • Expert Ratings:     RP 93 Pts.
   • Member Ratings:  92 Pts.
   • Price: $48
2. 2012 Grgich Merlot Napa Valley, California  
   • Expert Ratings:  JR 16.5/20 Pts.
   • Member Ratings:    91 Pts.
   • Price: $47
3. 2013 DeLille Cellars Merlot D2  Columbia Valley
   • Expert Ratings:    RP 92 Pts.
   • Member Ratings:  91 Pts.
   • Price: $42
4. 2014   Anakena Ona Special Reserve White, Leyda Valley, Chile
   • Expert Ratings:    JR 16.5/20 Pts..
   • Member Ratings:   90 Pts.
   • Price: $18