Miguel Torres Chile Targets Zero Emissions With Tasteful, Organic Wines

Familia Torres, a well-known winemaking family in Spain, has been producing wine for more than 150 years and five generations. Torres was the first foreign winery in Chile and they produced the first Pinot Noir in that country.

Miguel Torres Chile today is under the guidance of Miguel Torres Maczassek. Their wine business in Chile is built on three pillars: organic farming, sustainability, and innovation.

Their goal is to reach net zero emissions by 2050, a tall order for any winery. In 2021 they attained a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions per bottle with a goal to reach a 60% reduction by 2030.

Green practices from vineyard to bottle are helping on the pathway to net zero emissions. Three main practices include:

Waste management: The winery approaches its industrial waste by installing clean points, reducing the generation of single-use plastic and using elements for packaging that are designed for recycling. They reduced the weight of 3 out of every 4 bottles produced, becoming one of the most significant reductions in the industry, now being 38% lighter. That’s less waste produced and less fuel to ship the wine.

Renewable energy:  Two photovoltaic arrays of solar panels are installed in the winery in the Curicó Valley. One  generates power for the winemaking process; and the other for the production process, such as bottling and labeling. These projects together with the biomass boilers self-generate 30% of clean energy.

Sustainable viticulture: This involves regenerative viticulture, which seeks to imitate nature as much as possible so that vineyards can become natural ecosystems. The winery applies this practice in its vineyards to reach a new balance based on the increase of biodiversity and organic matter in a natural way, thus enabling the vineyards to absorb more atmospheric CO2.

We contemplated these impressive environmental actions while sipping three bottles from the Miguel Torres Chile “Las Mulas” label. We sampled the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Rose, and the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, all made with organically grown grapes. 

The rosé comes from the Central Valley and is a blend of Pinot Noir and Monastrell (also known as Mourvèdre in France). This is a cheerful wine with delicate notes of fresh raspberries and ample acidity. This is a great aperitif or pairing with a light, casual meal.

Pale yellow in the glass, the Sauvignon Blanc is subtle, with a wafting aroma of tropical fruit. On the palate, it tastes of lychee fruit, freshly mown grass, and charming citrus fruit. This is perfect for baked or sauteed fish with light sauce. It’s truly wonderful on its own as well.

Las Mulas Cabernet Sauvignon was a satisfying surprise. All three of these bottles sell for about $10, but the Cabernet is loaded with flavor and outperforms other wines that are double the cost. I brought this to my weekly wine tasting with my friend Arthur Barham (Merlot 2 Muscadine). The flavors are rich, with prominent red fruit and accents of spice. It’s round and elegant with tannins providing a light and easy structure. The finish was buoyant and long. This is a tremendous deal at the price.

We suggest you cheer Miguel Torres Chile on their way to zero net emissions by toasting with a bottle of their Las Mulas wine!

Full disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

Jumpstart Your Spring With These Four Wines

Whether you are celebrating Easter, or simply transitioning to warmer temperatures and longer days, here are four perfect wines for you to discover.

I just realized that I made it through the entire winter without once using my ice scraper. Saints be praised! It was quite a different story when I lived up north, where the football teams are much better, but the weather is decidedly colder. Spring is nature’s way of saying it’s time to party – and we have some great suggestions for you.

Lievland 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coastal Region, South Africa

It’s time to get the grill out of hibernation, and this South African Cab is just the wine to go with your crispy creations. We love the South African style, which marries the fruit-forwardness of the New World with the Old World winemaking methods. The Green Dragon (wife) doesn’t always know which wine I’m handing her to sip. After one taste, she proclaimed, “This is really great.” Medium ruby in color, the wine features grapes from the winelands of Stellenbosch and Paarl. It is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cinsault, and 6% Cabernet Franc.

The tannins are smooth and give a polished finish to the wine. The wine is aged in oak barrels, but only 5% are new, so there is nothing harsh to interfere with the elegant flavors of vanilla, spice, and ripe plums. This is a beauty priced at $18.99.

Maison Les Alexandrins 2019 Crozes-Hermitage Rouge

Syrah is a perfect match for an Easter lamb dinner. This Northern Rhone wine is grown on the granite slopes of Crozes-Hermitage. The 2019 vintage was a rough one, with a June hailstorm wiping out many of the vines in the region. This was followed by record heat that caused some of the berries to burn. The quantities were limited, but the harvest went smoothly.

In the glass, this wine is deep purple. Earthy notes frame the wine, which has flavors of candied fruit and sour cherry. The intense flavors explode on the palate and a subtle smokiness provides additional complexity. Serve at about 60º to 62º F. Perfect with grilled or spicy food. SRP $32.99.

Miguel Torres 2021 Las Mulas Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Chile

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc hails from the Central Valley of Chile. The wine is 100% organic and vegan. The name and the label are a homage to Rufina the mule, who can be found in the vineyards. The wine is certainly not stubborn, with rounded flavors of tropical fruit with a hint of citrus.

Although there is a good acid structure, the flavor is rounded and satisfying. This is a perfect bottle to chill and serve with grilled or baked fish. Or, feel free to open and enjoy by itself. SRP $14.99.

J. de Villebois 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine

Loire Valley has a brilliant range of wines, including those made from Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. The banks of the Cher River (a tributary of the Loire) have flinty soil, just perfect for Sauvignon Blanc like this one. This cuvée is the flagship of J. de Villebois. Pale yellow in the glass, it has fresh aromas of acacia and ripe fruit.

The flavors are vibrant with lemon drop and apple notes. Spritely minerality binds it all together. Pair this with shellfish or goat cheese. SRP $17.99.

Full Disclosure: These wines were received as a marketing sample.

Maitia 2018 Weon Carignan, Maule Valley, Chile

What to pair with an eclectic assortment of Latin dishes? How about a Carignan from Chile.

Wine From The Dude

I swear I had no idea as the phrase came out of my mouth. We had been seated at our table at so.ca in Raleigh for a few minutes. It was long enough for our server to give us the menus and start perusing the wine list.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

As we were trying to unscramble the very delectable small and large plate offerings we were waiting for the server to return. Green Dragon asked if I had ordered wine. I replied, “I’m waiting for the dude to come back.” Little did I know that “dude” would play an important role in our meal.

I decided to go with the 2018 Weon Carignan from Chile. I thought the name was a bit odd, “Weon.” I later learned that in the Chilean culture, this means “dude” or “bro.” Conveniently, the word can be used as a noun or adjective. Whoa!

Pairing With The Plates

So.ca focuses on Latin cuisine and we began ordering a wide assortment of dishes to share and asked our server to pace them out. We ended with a continuous string of stunningly presented small plates that were delicioso.

Keep up with the latest. Follow us on Instagram!

Our dishes included Ensalada de so.ca, Crab Stuffed Avocado, Dominican Empanadas, Jamaican Lamb Patties, Jerk Coconut Prawns, Argentinian Charred Pork Cheeks, and Guatemalan Ceviche de Camaron. Phew! You get the idea – plenty of amazing cuisine.

Carignan is a grape that is widespread in the south of France, used mostly in blends. In Spain, where it is called Cariñena, it is also popular.  It’s rare to see it as a single varietal bottling, so I jumped at the opportunity. The price point was also quite reasonable for such a unique wine.

Weon comes from Chile’s Maule Valley, one of the country’s larges wine growing regions. Reds are the specialty of the area. This is a light and limber red, not a big bombastic thing.

The Weon is soft with round tannins. It’s a young wine and harsh tannins are further avoided by fermentation in concrete vats, instead of oak. It is an organic wine and uses wild fermentation.

Weon is light and would do well with a slight chill to enjoy during the hot weather. It’s “redness” is beyond reproach, however, as it was a mind-blowing pairing with the Argentinian Charred Pork Cheeks served on amazing polenta. The wine is versatile and pairs adroitly with seafood and salad as well as spicy meats.

Dude! We highly recommend the Weon Carignan and so.ca for your drinking and dining enjoyment.

Technorati Tags: Carignan,Chile,wine,wine tasting,red wine

Santa Ema 2013 Amplus Old Vine Carignan, Maule, Chile

What do you pair with the funky city of Asheville, NC, and the music from our favorite jam band? How about a bottle of red goodness from Chile?

Destination Asheville

Asheville is one of our favorite places in of our new home state of North Carolina. Nestled in the western part of the state in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. it offers a kaleidoscope of mouth-watering cuisine, quirky shops, great craft beer and a vibrant music scene.

Check out our reports on more than 100 wineries

It was the later that drew us to Asheville for our recent trip. Our favorite band, String Cheese Incident, was playing at US Cellular Center. During our brief two-day stay, we tried to pack in as much as possible.

Our visits included the small town of Black Mountain, meals at tapas restaurant and wine bar Zambra and another at farm-to-table restaurant The Marketplace.

We intended to visit the gardens at The Biltmore, but when we learned the tour was $75 per person and would take at least four hours, we balked. Instead we headed to the North Carolina Arboretum for an afternoon of hiking. 

String Cheese And A Hot Tub Soak

After enjoying our tapas and vino dinner at Zambra with String Cheese guitarist Bill Nershi, we headed to the show. The streets of Asheville were alive on this spring evening. Street musicians played to the strolling pedestrians and diners enjoyed the sunshine from the outside dining vantage points. Friendly chatter and laughter was in the gentle breeze.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

There was a crowd of about 7,000 people for the show. Green Dragon and I opted for the arena seating as opposed to the rippling mass of String Cheese fans on the arena floor.
The lights, the music and the scene were rocking!

We arrived back at our hotel about 2 AM, so morning came early. We walked downtown for a bite at the Green Sage Café Downtown. After embarking on a day of hiking, a visit to the New Belgium Brewery and dinner at The Marketplace we were ready to settle in to our VRBO rental for the evening.

One of the main appeals of the place we stayed was its hot tub. (One of the not-main appeals was the narrow, steep driveway that looked like the top of a black diamond ski run!) We grabbed our bottle of Santa Ema Amplus Old Vine Carignan and slipped into the gurgling water of the hot tub.

Carignan From Chile

Outstanding wine values and flavors come from South America, especially Chile. Santa Ema is a leading Chilean wine producer and exports to the Americas, Asia and Europe. In our experience, you can be assured that you'll be getting a quality bottle if it is from Santa Ema.

I picked up the Amplus on sale from Great Grapes in Cary. They have a room set aside for discount and clearance wines and I've always found great deals there. Carignan mostly has a supporting role in red blends, but it is ready to step into a starring role, like with Amplus.

The Amplus Carignan has an aroma of crushed berries. On the palate there are flavors of cranberry and strawberry. It is lively and fruit forward with just the right touch of acidity. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, which gives the body a full, almost creamy texture. The wine is aged in French and American oak for 15 months.

The finish is long and elegant. The wine was so good that even though showers of rain were coming down on us in the hot tub, we just kept pouring the Amplus and enjoying the night.

The Amplus Carignan retails for about $32. I was able to score a primo buy at only $18.56 from Great Grapes. If I had known then what I know now, I'd buy a half case. Highly recommended.

Technorati Tags: travel,Asheville,String Cheese Incident,Chile,Carignan,wine,wine tasting

Montes Gives Wings To Chilean Wine Quality

At the entrance to Montes Winery stands an angel. It is a symbol of the winery’s commitment to be a positive force and influence. Those wings have also lifted the quality and reputation of Chilean wine.

An Introduction To Montes

Our eye opening introduction to Montes Premium Wines took place in Ohio. We were putting together a special “south of the equator” wine tasting at Zinful Wine Bar.

The owner allowed us to select the lineup from their stock and we had some great selections. There was none better than the Montes Purple Angel, which was a special bonus wine at the end. Purple Angel is the best example of Carmenère I’ve ever experienced.

As the Malbec grape is to Argentina, so Carmenère is to Chile. It is the iconic grape of the country and perhaps nowhere else does it shine so brightly.

We had a chance to revisit Purple Angel and two other Montes wines during a recent Wining Hour Chat online tasting.

The Wine Revolution

Viña Montes was born in 1988, founded by Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray. Murray’s survival of two near fatal automobile crashes led to his faith in angels and their images now grace the Montes labels.
Montes and Murray believed that Chile had wine regions capable of producing premium wines, not just inexpensive bulk wines. Montes proved this by crafting high-quality wines that revolutionized the local industry and set a positive course for Chilean wine over the next 25 years.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

The granite-filled foothills of the Apalta Mountains in western Colchagua were cleared and they planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines grown from pure French clones. They selected the best fruit, aged the wine in new French oak, and in 1988 debuted their first signature wine – Montes Alpha M, a Bordeaux-style red. Purple Angel, a luscious Carmenère crafted from Chile’s top grape, soon followed to wild acclaim.

Montes flagship Alpha range, comprised of single varietal wines, were the first premium value wines from Chile. They have since launched several lines, including Outer Limits wines from an untouched new terroir, Zapallar, located more than 100 miles northwest of Santiago near the Pacific Ocean.

The winery is committed to sustainable farming and maintains local plant and animal biodiversity. Its vineyards are home to foxes, hog-nosed skunks, ferrets, lambs, llamas and horses. Social responsibility is also key, and Montes has a program to help employees with their academic studies and partners with a school in the local village of Apalta.

Trio At The Top

We sampled three outstanding Montes wines: Montes 2014 Purple Angel Carmenère, Montes 2015 Alpha Carmenère,  and Montes Limited Selection 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon – Carmenère.

The Cab-Carmenère blend is from the Limited Selection line, which aims to provide universally appealing but serious wine. We have to agree with its appeal. This is a wine that should delight just about anyone, with rich fruit flavors of blackberry and plum. It has 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Carmenère. It retails for about $9 but drinks like a much more expensive wine.

The Montes Alpha Carmenère is a step up in quality and oak aging. There is 10% Cabernet in the blend, 55% of which is aged for a year in new French oak. This wine has aging potential for a decade or more. This has a nice smooth texture and notes of cocoa to go with ripe berries. You’ll find it a nice match with a steak or spaghetti. Retail is about $21.

As you know by now, Purple Angel is a favorite wine of ours. The vineyards are in the Marchigϋe and Apalta sectors of the Colchagua Valley, with granite and clay soils. The 2013 growing season was cooler than normal. As a result, the grapes ripened slowly and had a tremendous concentration of flavor.

To add to its heavenly flavor, 8% Petite Verdot is added to the Carmenère. This wine has several layers mingling rich red berries and a dash of toast and tea leaves. The 18 month aging in new French oak contributes the aroma of vanilla. The finish seems to go on forever – and we wish it would!

Purple Angel retails for about $61. We highly recommend it. When you taste it, you experience the magic of Montes and Chilean winemaking at its best.

Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

Aila 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley

Chile stretches almost 3,000 miles in length. Although Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape variety by far, cool climate areas are producing classy white wines.

A Need For Balance

Around Vino-Sphere world headquarters (aka our house) our wine stash can get out of balance. We’re probably not unique. The reds, in general, can be laid down for a year, sometimes several, to reach their prime. Whites, on the other hand, aren’t usually designed to age.

As a result, the whites are chilled down and consumed before the bottle can gather any dust. In our new state of North Carolina, there has been a great deal of heat – and a crisp white refreshes more than a heavy red.
With this thought in mind, I decided I needed to add a few whites to our stockpile.

Going Down South To Chile

Seeing a Labor Day clearance sale on the Invino flash site, I spied the Aila 2015 Sauvignon Blanc from Chile  for about $11 – almost half price. I decided to pick up three bottles.

Chile is long and narrow, with a length of 3,000 miles, but rarely more than 100 miles wide. It has three major geographic divisions, Costa (Coast), Andes (for the famous mountain range) and Entre Cordilleras (between the mountains, for those areas between the low coastal range and the Andes). A number of rivers slice the country horizontally running from the Andes west to the sea.

Never Miss A Beat – Follow Vino-Sphere On Facebook

The Leyda Valley is a zone within the San Antonio Valley in the south part of the Aconcagua region. Leyda has granite-based soils and a windy climate. It’s known for producing highly regarded white wines. That’s what caused me to pull the trigger on this trio of wines.

Aila: The Sacred Word

In the Mapuche dialect, Aila is a sacred word meaning nine. The Aila winery, in order to “balance the universe” and honor the Mapuche legacy, planted their vineyard nine miles from the coast and divided it into nine blocks of nine rows each. The winery focuses on two cold climate varieties: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. It is an enterprise of Santa Ema wines, one of the top wineries in Chile.

With our wine properly chilled, we were ready to see if my three-bottle gambit paid off.
In the glass the wine is light yellow with an aroma of cut grass, a hallmark of Sauvignon Blanc. The body is light, but that’s where the similarity with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc comes to an end.

The flavor profile offers grapefruit and Meyer lemon. It also has an unusual and engaging aftertaste. Green Dragon and I tried unsuccessfully to categorize it.

I pulled out my Les Nez Du Vin aroma kit to try to pin it down. The winner? blackcurrant bud, although Green Dragon didn’t fully agree. It has a unique freshness, with ample minerality and a satisfying juiciness.

The verdict from me is two thumbs up. Green Dragon is still wedded to her New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, so it may take the second or third bottle to fully win her over.

We’d recommend wines from Chile, and specifically Leyda Valley, as great values and well-crafted flavors. Stock up in quantity!

Montes 2014 Limited Selection Pinot Noir, Aconcagua Coast

Chile is 2,600 miles long and about 100 miles wide. This narrow strip of land between the Andes and the Pacific is home to outstanding wine and terrific values. Take Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir, for example…

Chilean Wine Blessed By Geography

One wouldn’t expect to find world class wines so close to the equator, but Chile is blessed by its varied geography, excellent climactic conditions and ideal soils. For many years Chile has been a value leader in wine, providing first rate quality at absurdly reasonable prices. We like all these things about Chile.

The proximity to the Pacific, which brings cooling breezes and fog, gives the needed coolness for grape growing. The chilly Humbolt Current in the sea also brings lower temperatures to the area.
For Pinot Noir, our tastes usually run toward Willamette Valley in Oregon, Los Carneros (which spans Napa and Sonoma) or perhaps a French Burgundy. Pinot Noir from Chile? We were dying to take a taste.

Quality Roots

Montes is one of the first premium wineries in Chile. They released the iconic Montes Alpha premium wine in 1988 and also produce one of our favorites, Purple Angel, a Carmenère blend. The Limited Selection Pinot Noir comes from the Casablanca, Leyda and Zapallar valleys in the Aconcagua Coast region. The vineyards are close to the sea with some grapes coming from just four miles away.

In the glass the wine is light ruby in color. On the palate it is a light-medium body with a lovely smooth texture. Green Dragon commented that she got flavors of eucalyptus and cola flavors while I enjoyed nice herbal and earthy nuances. The Montes Limited Selection Pinot gets six months in French oak to add structure but it does not smother the light fruit flavors with tannins.

Well what do you know? Chile makes a very tasteful Pinot Noir. The Casablanca Valley is also known for Chardonnay, so we intend to seek that out as well. Montes is a trusted brand, so you can feel comfortable buying any of their wines. At a SRP of $17, the Limited Selection Pinot Noir is an affordable and tasty buy.

Full Disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

South American Wines Deliver On Taste And Value

South American wines are delivering robust flavors resulting from the latest winemaking techniques paired with a concern for the environment. We sampled a couple of signature wines from Argentina and Chile.

Less Labor on Labor Day

The Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the end of summer. The long weekend is a time for cooking out and fun before starting the grind through the cooler days of fall.

We had family in from out of town and invited our neighbors over for some food and backyard sporting events. To save the wear and tear on the cooks, the Green Dragon bought some New York Strip Steaks marinated in garlic butter from the House of Meats. We had corn on the cob, beet salad with goat cheese, watermelon, baked potatoes and garlic bread.

For the wine, I selected the Montes Alpha 2013 Carmenère. Montes is a pioneer in quality wine from Chile. Their Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon raised the bar for other winemakers in the country. Their Purple Angel “super” Carmenère is one of our favorite all-time wines.

The Montes Alpha Carmenère is a wine that could age for up to 10 years, or is ready to open now. My New York Strips were sliced to about a half-inch thick, meaning they would cook in no time on my charcoal grill. I was in no mood to wait for a wine to age!

Dry Farming Techniques

This wine comes from the Colchagua Valley vineyards and is grown with dry farming techniques. No irrigation is used unless it is determined that Mother Nature doesn’t provide the minimum rain the vines need. This decreases the water use by 65%, which is nice for the environment and it also produces riper fruit.

Carmenère is considered the signature red grape of Chile. The Montes Alpha certainly shows why. Deep garnet in the glass, this has an explosion of concentrated flavors. It is jammed with red and black fruit flavors. Ripe cherries and spices blend with toasted oak flavor notes.

Enjoyment flows easily from this bottle and it married well with my steak from the grill. It is recommended that this wine be decanted for 30 minutes to allow the aromatics to open up.

The Montes Alpha has 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 55% of the wine was aged for 12 months in French oak. This is enough to provide structure, but not dominate.

Terroir of Argentina

Our next signature grape was from Kaiken Premium Wines of Argentina. Kaiken has been expanding its experimental biodynamic program and expects to be fully biodynamic by 2020. Biodynamics combines elements of organic, sustainable farming with some almost mystical components.

Kaiken was founded by Aurelio Montes, the founder of Viña Montes. During a recent blind tasting party, we popped open a bottle of the Kaiken Terroir Series 2015 Torrontés.

Torrontés Rocks

While Malbec gets the headlines for red Argentine wine, Torrontés is rockin’ the white wine sphere. These grapes are handpicked from vineyards 5,200 feet above sea level. The altitude keeps the climate cool and allows the grapes to retain their acidity.

I tasted this blind with three other whites. I zeroed in on this wine like a hawk. A beautiful green-gold in the glass, it is fresh with juicy citrus and grapefruit flavors. The acidity was refreshing without having a sharp bite.

The Kaiken Torrontés comes from Argentina’s Salta region. Salta is one of the top wine regions in Argentina and that country’s northernmost wine producing area. This would pair very well with lobster or perhaps crab cakes. We had an assortment of appetizers, and there wasn’t a bad match in the lot.

One of the most tasty features of these wines is the price. The Montes Alpha Carmenère is $25 SRP and the Kaiken Torrontés retails for only $17. Those prices are highly sustainable for the wallet.

Full Disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

Sonoma Wines Score Big With Pinot And Cabernet Power

Our Tasting Team members had planned an anniversary trip to Napa Valley, but ended up with a delightful detour to Sonoma.

Sonoma County A Land Of Wine Diversity

When people think of California wine, chances are the first thing that pops into mind is Napa Valley. Tasting Team members Glorious T and the Cabinator had planned to go to Napa to celebrate their anniversary. Visits with friends in Sonoma and the opportunity to get an inside look at wineries there changed their plans.
Sonoma Valley is actually more than twice the size of neighboring Napa. The land is diverse in climate and topography and as a result, more than 50 different grapes are grown there.
Glorious T and the Cabinator returned with luggage bursting with treasure wine and shipped wine following close behind. We were treated to dinner that featured Sonoma wine and tales of their visit.
Never Miss A Toledo Wines and Vines Post – Click To Subscribe

DeLoach Premium Pinot Is An Eye-opener

Our first wine was the delectable 2012 DeLoach OFS Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. As related to us, the winemaker tasted this line of Pinot Noir and declared it “out f****ing standing” which led to the OFS designation. The DeLoach website has a slightly different story, saying that OFS stands for “Our Finest Selection.”
Whichever story you prefer to adopt, there is no doubt this is one amazing Pinot Noir. We were able to enjoy it in special Pinot Noir glasses, large bowl-shaped affairs that allow you to sniff and savor the heavenly aroma.
When a Pinot strikes out with us, it is either that the flavor is a one-note affair or that it tries to be something it is not, with an overly ripe, almost candied flavor. This DeLoach has layers of complexity with delicate red berry flavors led by raspberry along with a slight earthiness. It’s a beautiful RRV Pinot that gives Willamette Valley a run for its money.

Optima Cabernet Sauvignon Makes A Smashing First Impression

The enjoyment of the DeLoach OFS Pinot bridged the appetizers right into our salad course. While we unwound and heard stories of tastings at top Sonoma wineries (which we expect to feature soon), the next wine was being poured.
Cabinator had been decanting the Optima 2011 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for about an hour. Alexander Valley is one of our favorite Sonoma sub-regions.
Cabernet is best accompanied by a nice juicy steak. Glorious T, who is a very accomplished cook, outdid herself with this meal.
The scrumptious steak was cooked perfectly (which in my mind is medium rare) and topped with a gorgonzola sauce and caramelized onions. This was accompanied by roasted asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. Bravo! This would have been a fabulous meal served under any circumstances – but paired with the Optima 2011 Cabernet, it became heavenly.

Optima Wine Cellars began operation in 1984 producing 400 cases of wine annually. The focus remains on producing limited production premium wines.
We had never heard of Optima wines before nor had we tasted any. This was a treat. The wine was rich and bold with blueberry and dark cherry nuances. The tannins were very well integrated, avoiding any harshness yet retaining a beautiful structure.
The finish was long lasting, enabling me to get a refill before the rich flavors disappeared. Another nice feature of the wine is that it costs about $40. The quality is sterling but it is a much better value than a similar quality Napa Valley Cab.

Dark Chocolate And Cabernet – That Would Be A Resounding “Yes!”

Glorious T succeeded in raising the culinary bar even higher by bringing out a dark chocolate chess pie. I can’t tell you why it is called a chess pie, but it was oozing with smooth dark chocolate goodness.
The Cabinator and I surveyed his cellar and brought forth a 2008 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon from the Colchagua Valley in Chile. Although not from Sonoma, this proved to be a nice “wind down” Cabernet.
This isn’t in the same league as the Optima, but is a nice fruit-driven Cab that overdelivers on value. Montes is a top-tier winery and should be one of your go-to choices in Chilean wine.
At this point we had to depart or else ask about guest room availability! The Cabinator (who is considering changing his moniker to Wine Sponge) and Glorious T will be sharing their tasty  Sonoma adventures soon.

Technorati Tags: wine,Sonoma

Carmen 2011 Gran Reserva Apalta Vineyard Carmenère, Chile

Chile has an ideal climate for grapes with the Andes Mountains protecting the vineyards along with cooling ocean breezes and unique mesoclimates. Carmen Gran Reserva originates in the heart of Colchagua Valley, known for its red wines. It is Chile’s trendiest wine region.
While taking a break from a home flooring project, we relaxed with this bottle of Carmenère. While Carmenère is wildly popular in Chile, it is still relatively undiscovered in the United States.  It has the complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon in structure, but the soft roundness of a Merlot.
In the glass this is an intense dark color. The Gran Reserva is aged for 10 months in oak barrels, and so the tannins were more up front than I expected. As the wine opened up, it mellowed into a silky texture.
It offers a delicious tapestry of flavors. Against a background of ripe red berries, there was mocha, graphite and later, fresh mushrooms. This is a wine to sip and savor, or pair with a special meal.
Carmen, Chile’s oldest winery, is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the rediscovery of Carmenère, a variety that has become the signature wine of Chile.  Thought to be extinct, the treasured grape was rediscovered on November 24, 1994, in one of Carmen’s estate vineyards. 
Carmen’s 2011 Gran Reserva Carmenère comes from the winery’s “Los Peñascos” vineyard, which means “the rocks,” a nod to the rocky soils where Carmenère thrives.  It is cultivated and harvested entirely by hand in the Apalta Valley, a smaller, elite valley within Chile’s Colchagua Valley. 
If you are looking for a holiday gift for a wine lover, let me humbly suggest this Gran Reserva Carmenère from Carmen. It packs an ensemble of unique flavors at a tasty price: under $20.
Full disclosure: We received this wine as a marketing sample.

Santa Rita 2007 Triple C, Maipo Valley

After a dominating tennis performance, the Cabinator and I decanted Santa Rita 2007 Triple C. Earlier in the evening, we had dropped our wives off at the Black and White with a Splash of Red fundraiser.

For some reason they assumed we wouldn’t want to skip our tennis night to go to a fundraising event that featured a five-course meal with paired wine selections. Go figure.

As it turns out, it was fortunate. The Cabinator and I dominated our opponents in our Sunday night ladder. In this type of doubles tennis, you play with everyone else on the court as a partner for eight games.

Somewhere along the line, Cabinator dubbed himself “Mayhem” and he was chopping some outrageous volleys at the net. We ended up “bageling” our opponents 8-0.

We had some time to kill before picking up Green Dragon and Glorious T, so I popped open this wine from Chile. I was pleased to find a 2007 available for a nice price of about $30 at Churchill’s in Perrysburg. It is a scintillating blend of 55% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Carmenere – hence the “Three C.”

Not all the C’s are equal in this blend. The Cab Franc takes a leading role with herbal notes. It is a succulent wine with its rich body enhanced by malolactic fermentation and medium toast French barrels. There are swirls of currant, vanilla and pencil shavings with a super smooth finish.

We were just settling in with a Ringo Starr concert that featured some amazing blues, when I got a call from the Green Dragon. They were ready to come home and sample some really good wine and there was just enough left in the decanter for them to do so.

Like many wines from Chile, this wine from the foothills of the Andes overdelivers at this price point. It drinks like a $40 or $50 bottle.

Related articles

• Aconcagua Valley - Fine Reds From The Roots of The Andes
• Wine Review: Lindeman's Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Review Week of October 23: Wines of Anderra

Cabernet Is King At Maumee Wines Tasting

I was surprised when I noticed that the Maumee Wines website recently listed a Cabernet tasting. An area wine insider had told me that Maumee Wines had closed. In the process of preparing the weekly wine tasting calendar, I checked

the Maumee Wines website anyhow – and sure enough, they had a big, beautiful Cabernet tasting scheduled.
Although the bistro wine bar, which we really enjoyed, has closed. The retail wine shop remains open. And they continue to host monthly wine tastings.
It was Friday after a long work week, so Green Dragon and I met the Cabinator at Maumee wines and prepared to “wine down.” The tasting featured six Cabernets (or blends) with appetizers for $25.
The first Cab was Montes 2011 Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. This wine goes for $11.99 This is a super value. Comes out a bit edgy but then smoothes deliciously. Good fruit.

Next we delved into the Hedges 2011 CMS, a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah from Washington State’s Columbia Valley. This has nice loose tannins and is highly drinkable (especially on Friday night!) but left me unimpressed. Not enough structure to make it interesting. Goes for $13.99.
Another Columbia Valley wine was next, the 2011 Chateau St. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon. Chateau St. Michelle has always been a leader in QPR (quality price ratio) and this didn’t disappoint. It has rich cherry flavors and is a nice “pop
and pour” wine. It was a favorite of Green Dragon who rated it twice as good as several of the other wines. Cost is a modest $19.99.
We finally entered the Cab country of California with the Eberle 2009 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a beauty of a wine. It is a mulberry color with loads of complexity. Tannins enhance the great flavors. It’s a wine that will pair wonderfully with meat dishes.

The Cabinator crowned the Eberle as his favorite of the evening. The cost is only $19.99, so you can live large while not putting a hurt on the wallet. I must agree that for the price, it is a great deal – but to see what bottle I bought, you’ll have to read on.
I have always enjoyed wines from Blue Rock winery – their Cabernet is outstanding and their Baby Blue is an incredible smooth sipper. We’ve enjoyed it on several occasions. Tonight we tried the new vintage, the Blue Rock 2012 Baby Blue from Napa.
We discussed whether this was actually too young, being just a 2012 vintage. For me the first sip dispelled that notion. A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 18% Cab Franc, 6% Malbec and 5% Petite Verdot, I consider it a party in a bottle. The emphasis is on silky texture and red fruit flavors. Cab curmudgeons might say there’s too much Merlot – bit this hits all the right notes for me. At $29.99 it’s at a great price point too. Yes, I purchased this one.
Every fireworks show has a grand finale. For us it was the Burgess 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Burgess is one a long-time Napa winery and the flavor profile is what has made Napa famous for decades. It is a great food wine with firm tannins and refined cherry flavors. Burgess is a smooth wine that can compete with wines twice its price. It tips the scales at $34.99, not bad for a big time Napa Cab!
The evening was enjoyable for several reasons: we tried some great wine, met new friends and discovered that Maumee wines is alive and kicking. Keep your eyes open for their tastings on the third Fridays of the month.

Related articles

• Santa Ynez UnCorked: Exploring the Valley's Five AVA's (lawonders.net)
• Mount Veeder 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)
• Kenwood Vineyards 1994 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)

Santa Rita Medalla Real 2008 Gran Reserva Carmenere, D.O. Colchagua Valley, Chile

This bottle caught my attention while in Churchill’s to pick up a muffin after my morning workout. Carmenere is the spotlight grape for Chile and Santa Rita is a producer that delivers full flavor at a great price.
About $20 is the going price for this bottle, but it was on sale for an amazing $6.99. I didn’t need to ask more questions – the Santa Rita was soon in my shopping bag along with my muffin and yogurt.
Colchagua is closer to Chile’s low and rolling Coastal Range than to the higher Andes. It benefits from cooling breezes that blow in directly from the sea. Marchigue and Apalta are the two vineyards selected for this wine. The Santa Rita is 14.5% alcohol and is aged in oak for 10 months.
For me the best Carmenere is lush and flavorful. Upon first sip, the wine seemed tight – even after we aerated it. The mouth-drying tannins were very evident. As we sipped and it opened up, the flavors began to beam through, with distinct herbal and toasted oak notes. Vanilla and light cherry flavors were background singers.
This didn’t strike the right chord with Green Dragon, but it was an acceptable wine for me. The next night I decanted the remaining wine, which we had refrigerated. For an hour, it was decanted and it made a positive and noticeable difference. The tannins were dialed down and the earth and herbs receded into the background and the red fruit and chocolate tastes were dialed up.
We recommend that you try this with a steak or barbeque rather than sipping on its own.  Let it decant for 30 to 60 minutes to let it loosen up.

Technorati Tags: wine,carmenere,chile

Rating: 2 of 5  Value: 5 of 5 (based on my $6.99 purchase price)

Related articles

• South America in a glass (and on a plate) - part 1 (thewinewankers.com.au)
• Caliterra Tributo Carmenere (farehamwinecellar.co.uk)
• The lost French wine, Carmenere (chilchile.wordpress.com)
• Clos Pepe Estate 2009 Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)

TWAV Goes South of the Equator with Successful Tasting at Zinful Wine Bar and Restaurant

It was an exotic and sometimes raucous evening at Zinful Wine Bar and Restaurant during the Toledo Wines and Vines South of the Equator tasting. Wines from Argentina, Australia, Chile and New Zealand were featured.

Six wines were on the tasting menu plus a seventh bonus wine. Chef Mike prepared four dishes to accompany the wines. The wine lineup was:

• Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
• Carrick "Unraveled" Pinot Noir, New Zealand
• Santa Ema Reserve Merlot, Chile
• The Lucky Country Shiraz, Australia
• Allamand "H" red blend (50/50 Malbec, Cab), Argentina
• Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina
• Bonus Wine (extra charge) Montes Purple Angel Carmenere, Chile

Keep reading to find out which was the favorite selection from the 36 or so attendees.

The lone white on the list was the Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, from New Zealand. It was a very good choice. We love the vibrant Sauv Blancs from the Marlborough region and this was spot on. The refreshing wine had zesty citrus flavors with a touch of herbaciousness. The acidity was not teeth-rattling and so it was a nice kickoff to the evening. This was picked as the group’s second favorite wine.


Lamb chops with potato rosti and fresh herb pistou was the food pairing with the Carrick “Unraveled” Pinot Noir, another New Zealand wine. New Zealand is rapidly gaining a reputation for world-class Pinot. It comes from Central Otago, the world’s southernmost winemaking region. This wine has depth with some spice and earth flavor notes.



Next was perhaps the best value wine in the tasting: 2010 Santa Ema Reserve Merlot from Chile. This wine explodes with richness without becoming a “fruit bomb.” It has supple flavors of blackberries and plum with wafts of vanilla and caramel. It has a long, smooth finish. It paired nicely with the Plantain soup with brie crutes. This was the overall favorite of the group by a far margin! Many bottles marched out the door at the end of the evening.

We next visited Australia’s McLaren Vale region for The Lucky Country 2010 Shiraz. When selecting the wines for the tasting, we had previously sampled another Shiraz that had a good dollop of sweetness. We opted for this drier version and were not disappointed. It paired nicely with some Poppyseed Cheesecakes. This is a savory wine with a focus on dark fruits. It tends more to the rugged flavors of Syrah than the Shiraz style (both the same grape!).

You can’t have a South of the Equator tasting without Malbec. The Allamand “H” red blend is 50% Malbec and 50% Cabernet. Our tasters either loved it or could leave it. The wine is finished in oak, giving it the sturdiest tannins of the lineup so far. Malbec is a plush wine, but here the softness is balanced with the Cabernet.

We called in tasting team member The Cabinator to introduce the next wine, the 2008 Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. The wine is from the Lujon de Cuyo region known as the prime growing area of Mendoza. The wine is produced through a partnership with Paul Hobbs. This is a magnificent Cabernet at about half of what you might pay if the label read Napa Valley. Dark chocolate, currants and oak percolate through this wine, which is deep and rewarding.

The bonus wine was the Montes Purple Angel Carmenere from Chile. Carmenere is Chile’s most famous red grape – with the prominence that Malbec has in Argentina.  It is a member of the Cabernet family of grapes, but has a softer body and richer red berry flavor. It also has a dash of Petit Verdot. This was the most complex wine of the evening and had several layers. Beyond the berry rush there was a nice mixture of toast and tea leaves. Just luscious.

Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the evening. A special tip of the cap to Joyce Franzblau and her staff at Zinful for making it an extra special night. We promise we won’t wait another three years until our next TWAV tasting.

Related articles

• Argentina should promote its Chardonnay (thedrinksbusiness.com)
• Chile to challenge NZ with Wave (thedrinksbusiness.com)
• Wines of Uruguay Tasting (thegoodwineguru.com)

Concha Y Toro 2009 Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Cabernet Sauvignon

This stylish and smooth Cab from Chile delivers bushels of fruit flavors at a great price point.

The Gran Reserva Serie Riberas is a special selection with grapes coming from vineyards located close to two different river basins. The Riberas wines are distinct and fresh.

This Cab has 10% Carmenere in the mix to provide a silky smooth texture. The wine is aged for 14 months in French and American oak, but the tannins are seamless. The overall effect is fruit forward with cherries and chocolate.

We’ve found the Concha Y Toro line to be a dependable, quality pick at a variety of price points. This is quite a value at about $19. It is popular, so it sells out quickly.

The Gran Reserva is a winning wine that pairs with hearty meat dishes or stands alone as a enjoyable after dinner vino.

Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 5 of 5

Related articles

• Santa Rita 2008 Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)
• Wines of Chile Blogger Tasting: Master Terroir Class (thegoodwineguru.com)
• Concha Y Toro's Newer Brands: Marques de Casa Concha & Gran Reserva Serie Riberas (awinestory.com)

Santa Rita 2008 Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

After California, where do you next turn for a tasty Cabernet? How about Chile?
Following a recent charity event in Bowling Green where I did a shift as emcee, we stopped into Sam B’s for a bottle of wine. My jokes were not greeted with uproarious laughter as expected. Here’s an example of one of the jokes: “I’m planning on opening an auto repair shop – I already have the air.”
As you can tell, some wine was needed. Scanning the wine list I found this nice Cab from Chile’s Maipo Valley.  We’ve recently been enjoying Chilean Cabs and the great flavor they deliver at a surprisingly low price point.
Our friend Gary has a political beef with the government of Argentina, but really likes the economic policies of Chile, so the Santa Rita was an easy choice.
The fruity nose was burbling out of the glass and the first sip declared that this was indeed a full-bodied Cab with bushels of flavor. Flavor notes of black cherry and blackberry are woven with herbal tracers. Tannins are well integrated providing a nice framework for a smooth mid-palate and a long lingering finish.
If only my audience at the fundraiser had a glass or two of the Medalla Real, they would have been delighted with my wit!
The bottle cost $39 off the wine list. It retails for about $18 to $20. This is recommended highly.
Rating: 3.5 of 5  Value: 4.5 of 5

Related articles

• The Rapid Growth of the Chilean Wine Industry (gilescadman.vg)
• Concha Y Toro's Newer Brands: Marques de Casa Concha & Gran Reserva Serie Riberas (awinestory.com)
• Trio of Cabs Highlights Cabernet Day Tasting (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)

Viu Manent 2009 Estate Reserve Malbec, Colchagua Valley

When thinking of Malbec, two things flutter to the top of mind: Argentina and jammy. I’ve had Malbecs from different regions, but none seems to hit the bull's-eye like Argentina. The Argentine Malbecs are smooth, bubbling with fruit and are available at great values. They have become the signature wine of the country.
Chile is also making a name in high quality, high value wines. The signature red for Chile is Carmenere and I haven’t had the opportunity to try a Chilean Malbec before. When Green Dragon and I made a stop at World Market in Avon, this Malbec caught my attention.
Viu Manent wines come from the Colchagua Valley region, about 80 miles southwest of Santiago. Located within the Rapel Valley sub-region, Colchagua Valley is closed by the Andes at the east end and opens up to the Coastal Range and the Pacific Ocean to the west. This results in an ideal microclimate with the full influence of the Pacific Ocean and fresh breezes from the Andes.
The Malbec Reserve is sourced from blocks with an average age of 40 to 50 years in San Carlos, Colchagua Valley. Beautiful deep violet in color, the wine is a bit of a surprise. First the tannins are strong and while it delivers some pleasing currant and blackberry flavor notes, it also has a bit of earth and bitter chocolate.
It took a while for this wine to grow on me, but it did. Green Dragon gave it a passing grade, but for me the bitter qualities were a turn off. This was a “what the heck” purchase since it cost only $6.
Rating: 2 of 5   Value: 3 of 5

Related articles

• Santa Cruz Vineyard Experience (chrystal-clear.com)
• Malbec, Argentina's Star Grape! (grandcata.com)
• Chile's Viña Ventisquero Excels in Camenere (winebiznews.blogspot.com)
• Chile, A Melting Pot of Flavours from South America (blogs.vancouversun.com)

Three Versatile Pinot Noirs For Your Thanksgiving Feast

For many hosts choosing wines for the Thanksgiving meal can present a challenge. You need a wine that compliments the many different tastes and textures of this holiday feast. One of your best choices is a Pinot Noir, a wine that flashes elegance and a light taste that doesn’t bring an uninvited heavy flavor to the table.

We recently sampled three Pinots to see how they will pair with your Turkey Day food. Kudos to Green Dragon, who prepared a delicious herb-seasoned turkey tenderloin accompanied by a butternut squash risotto.

We opened with the 2009 The Crossings Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s Marlborough region. Marlborough is known for knockout Sauvignon Blanc, but in a recent worldwide tasting event, New Zealand was the top choice for Pinot Noir. This wine has a smoky cherry nose and tasted a bit aggressive on the front end. Once the turkey was being gobbled it started to blend nicely and offered up spicy raspberry flavor notes. Price is about $19.

Our second tasting was the Sonoma Coast Vineyards Freestone Hills Pinot Noir 2008. This is a beautiful Pinot that you can be proud to serve on any occasion. It has a smooth glide of dark black cherry and raspberry that warms the palate and accentuates the turkey flavor. The finish is medium in duration with moist cherry. The fruit is prominent without being jammy. Price is about $40.

We circled back and made an unconventional Pinot the final selection. Llia Llia 2010 Pinot Noir is from Chile and is still a young wine. It is a brilliant red color with ripe and intense fruit. This is a simpler, more earthy wine than the rest yet paired well with our pumpkin roll dessert. Although this wouldn’t be our first pick for Thanksgiving, it isn’t a bad choice and is certainly a great value. Price is about $13.

Full Disclosure: We received these wines as samples.

Technorati Tags: wine,Pinot Noir

35° South 2010 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

This is a value wine from Chile. Green Dragon loves Sauvignon Blanc, especially from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. She decided to explore new terrain and picked this bottle up for some casual evening sipping.
The name of the wine company alludes to the latitude of 35° South where the vineyards are located. 35° South is one of the labels of Vina San Pedro, which has been making wine in Chile for 150 years. San Pedro has some high end brands, but also produces Gato Negro, which is absolutely awful.
The grapes come from the Curicó and Elqui valleys, which is said to balance the fruitiness with minerality. The wine is aged In stainless steel tanks. Grapefruit and tropical fruit dominate this wine, but it is a pale shadow of a good, crisp Sauvignon Blanc. At $9 per bottle,what did you expect?
Chase the moths from your wallet and upgrade to a nicer Sauvignon Blanc! Rated *+ of *****.

Technorati Tags: wine,Sauvignon Blanc,Chile

Related articles

• Swinging Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (fullpour.com)
• 2010 SOHO Black Label Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)
• SOHO 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)
• Whitehaven 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough (toledowinesandvines.blogspot.com)