Keeping with the theme of ERSLA helping those in need in Latin American nations, I decided upon some wines from Brazil, Chile and Argentina for the fundraiser and wine-tasting.  Here they are with a few notes I pulled together.

2006 Miolo Brut – Brazil                                                   

Produced using the traditional method (methode champenoise) for sparkling wine, this wine contains a 50/50 split of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  A significant percentage, about a quarter, of fine wine made in Brazil is sparkling.  Vines were first introduced in the early 1500’s by the Portuguese but didn’t really become established until the late 1800’s thanks to Italian immigrants.  The dry sparkler was fresh with citrus and good acid and would be a nice change of pace to the Prosecco I often serve to start a party.

2008 Finca La Linda Torrontés – Argentina                                                  

Though Argentina is more well-known for producing Malbec, Torrontes is the most-planted white grape variety planted in Argentina and often produces wines of unique aromatics (much like a Viognier) and high acidity.  This brand is produced by the Luigi Bosca winery and the grapes for this wine are cultivated from the Cafayete Valley in the northern region of Salta at approximately 5,500 feet elevation.  It has a yellow-green hue and floral, citrus and mineral aromas as well as apple, lemon and flint on the palate.

2007 Morande Reserva Carmenere – Chile                                        

The fruit for this wine comes from the Santa Laura vineyard in the Maipo Valley, a region famous for the production of exceptional red wines.  The wine has an intense purple hue and an equally intense aroma of woodland fruits, vanilla, oak and spices.  We also could detect some serious bell peppers or even jalapeno peppers on the nose.  It is recommended to open this bottle at least an hour before serving.  Other bottles popped ‘n poured had a signiciant amount of horse blanket aroma (4-ethyl-phenol) that gave it an interesting old-world feel to it.  Carmenere was abandoned in Bordeaux due to challenges with poor fruit set (coulure) and resulting low yield, but was recently “discovered” in Chile in the early ‘90s in vines that were previously believed to be Merlot.  It is believed to have the potential to possess the elegance of Merlot combined with the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon though it can ride very hot and with significant herbaceousness. 

2008 BenMarco Malbec – Argentina                            

While declining in popularity in France, Malbec has practically put Argentina on the wine map.  This wine spent 11 months in 50% new French oak and 50% American Oak.  It is dark and inky in color, has aromas of campfire, cinnamon and cherries and is ripe and medium-bodied overall.

Salud!

Ok, that title was way too easy and quite cheesy, but I couldn’t help myself.  I really love Syrah, recently focusing on the Northern Rhone style, to the point I’ve attempted to make my own using Crushpad‘s winery services.  I won’t know for a while if I even came close until it gets bottled after 14 months of barrel aging.  In the meantime, let’s try a flight of some Syrah from 3 very different regions of the world: Australia, France and Argentina.

2006 Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier Victoria, Australia      $25
Don’t be fooled by the “Viognier” part of the label.  As a matter of fact the wine bar didn’t even list it on their menu, it only stated Shiraz.  Turns out there is only 5% of Viognier added and I’m not quite sure what characteristics it has added.  If anyone knows, please comment.  Additionally, this was a partnership between Terlato and Chapoutier, who produced the next wine in the flight below.

Color: Dark ruby
Nose: Vegetal at first, some licorice and violet, coffee. The coffee was faint at first but then became more pronounced 15 min later
Taste: Mineral,  vegetal, some cassis and med tannins

2005 M. Chapoutier “Belleruche” Cotes du Rhone           $17
Color: Lighter ruby/burgundy, lightest of the flight
Nose: Light nose, couldn’t get a lot out of it, maybe some red berries, overall very tight
Taste: Blackberries, more tannin, spice, long finish

I really loved the taste and flavors in this wine and what I expected in a Rhone Syrah, but was disappointed in the overall experience because the nose was so shy.  Overall, the smoothest, fruitiest and spiciest of the three.