The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
South America
September 7, 2023
White
2021 Catena Chardonnay High Mountain Vines
Great fruit, Chablis-like Lemon
Chardonnay, yes, but in a less usual style than you expect from the new world. This edition of Catena's classic chardonnay is a very high-toned lemony tart with an edge of minerality and just a hint of barrel fermentation. Think of it as a new world Chardonnay 70s
Color: light gold; Aroma: saline, lemon peel, fresh, clean lemon; Mouth: bright acid, very clean, firm, lifted saline citrus acidity, with the lightest barrel counter note, vary fresh, with a lemony kick, long finish; Very Good Plus $24.99; Case, $21.25
Red
2018 Veramonte Ritual Pinot Noir
Cool from the Ocean Breeze
Veramonte is an organic winery in the Casablanca Valley of Chile. The 2018 Ritual Pinot Noir is a wine that expresses the full potential of new-world Pinot Noir that is authentic with balanced old-world character. The valley is in the mountains just off the Pacific coast. The vines enjoy cool breezes and fog off the water, perfect for growing Pinot Noir.
Floral and fresh red fruit aromas with notes of graphite, mushroom, forest floor, and spice. Balanced finish. Very Good Plus 21, Case 17.99
2020 Domaine Nico Pinot Noir Grand Pere
New World Pinot Noir with Dimension and Spice
From some of Lujan de Cuyo's older high vineyards, this is a distinctively new-world Burgundian style. It has everything you would like: herbaceousness, minerality, and spice that inform generous ripe fruit. The only negative is that we do not have much of it.
Color: light red-black, light brown; Aroma: fresh, relatively bright and spicy, a melange of plummy fruit and secondary notes; Mouth: clean mineral, the beginnings of age, bright acid, Burgundian, long tight acid finish $35, case 29.75, limited quantity
2019 Renacer Cabernet Franc Punto Final Reserva
Great value in Argentina's Best Red Grape
Argentina may be famous for Malbec, but Cabernet Franc might make its best wines. This reserve-level wine comes from high-elevation vineyards and is a rather fleshier expression of the grape at a great price. Give it a bit of air to have its fruit Mary well with a firm herb-inflected structure.
Aroma: Heady and full, slightly saline, a thrust of vigorous soft plum; Mouth: clean, lighter, firm, good drive a cherry note that, firm fine tannic finish, good length; Very Good Plus $18.99; Case, $15.99
2021 Castel Pujol Folklore Tinto
Unique Fun Wine from Uruguay
It hits all the right notes: sustainable, natural, organic, with minimal Intervention. This blend tempers the Tannat from higher vineyards with 20% of Petit Manseng. Fermented with native yeast bottled with nominal So2. Unfiltered. Black fruits like plums and blueberries are joined by orange peel notes from Petit Manseng. Tannat in Uruguay is often soporific. This one has zest. For the most fun, drink it lightly chilled.
Aroma: heady, intense, spicy, sour cherry-plum lean; Mouth: smooth, rounded lean, fine acid, fleshy smooth, firm, tangy, Black fruit, polished tannins, elegant, good length; Very Good Plus $23.99; Case, $19.99
2019 Alma Negra M Blend
Delicious Dark Soul
The M Blend comes from some of Mendoza's highest-elevation vineyards. Ernesto Catena, cousin to the family, founded the winery he named "Dark Soul" to reflect the intricate beauty found there. He might be a philosopher, but he also makes this mysterious, rich, and spicy Malbec/Bonarda blend.
Deep color from the Bonarda. Dark berries, ripe blackcurrant. Notes of coffee and cedar with good balancing tannin. Rich and spicy finish. Very Good Plus to Excellent 21.99, Case 18.99
Less usual South American Case: Special, two each of the above wines - $249
Or mix your own, any 12 bottles at their case discount prices
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve here:
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
- Len Rothenberg
FREE DELIVERY!
downtown on orders more than $75;
in Greater Boston on orders more than $199
