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If you are looking for a red wine to go with summertime grilling, this red blend produced by Domaine Bousquet will definitely make your palate sing!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s largest exporter of organically grown wines. The winery is located in the Gualtallary Valley, which is situated high up in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley. Altitudes here reach up to 5,249 ft. To read about the winery’s history, the climate, terroir and more, please click on the menu at right. The label on this wine is a striking portrayal of Gaia, who in Greek mythology was the mother goddess that presided over the earth. She is considered the personification of the Earth.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Gaia Red Blend 2018 50% Malbec, 45% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon make up this blend. The best grapes are used for this wine and are harvested manually from Domaine Bousquet’s organically farmed vineyards. Wine aging takes place in French oak barrels for ten months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Delectable aromas of dark berries, spice and violet are the opening act for this tantalizing wine. The palate is entertained with blackberry, dark cherry, dark plum, spices and a touch of vanilla all of which lingers on a lengthy finish. A silky mouthfeel and fresh acidity add to the richness and complexity of this wine. In addition to grilled meats, appetizers and pasta, this wine goes well with fish. Try Gaia with a chocolate dessert. It is a great finale! Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $20 The wine paired beautifully with this grilled swordfish surrounded by red grapefruit and peaches.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Note: The photos taken at the restaurant are pre-COVID-19.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com A few years ago I reviewed Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Pinot Noir 2016. They were impressive wines with a lot of character at a very friendly price! So, I was delighted to receive new vintage releases of these memorable wines.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss For those of you who may have missed my story on Hess wines, here is a quick recap. Donald Hess is the founder of Hess Wines, a family-owned, fifth-generation company in Napa Valley, CA. In the 1970s, Donald made a business trip to Napa Valley and it was during this visit that he took an interest in mountain winegrowing. He learned that the Mount Veeder mountain vineyards were an ideal area for growing grapes, which produce unique character and flavor due to the microclimate and soils.  In 1978 Donald made his first land purchase on Mount Veeder, a property in which winemaking and farming go back as far as 1876. This property is now the site of the Hess Collection Winery. By 1982, Donald had acquired 900 acres and in 1986 he opened the Hess Collection Winery to the public. Dave Guffy became Director of Winemaking in 1999 and Donald formally retired in 2011, passing on the baton to son-in-law Timothy Persson as CEO and daughter Sabrina, the fifth generation of the Hess family.  Tim & Sabrina with their children. Photo courtesy of Hess Collection Hess Wines focuses on sustainable farming practices and state of the art winemaking. In addition to its mountain vineyards, Hess Wines has estate vineyards in areas such as Pope Valley and near the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. They also produce wine in Argentina and South Africa. Hess Select Central Coast Pinot Noir 2018 The grapes for this 100% Pinot Noir are harvested from the Sarmento Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands region of the Central Coast. Sarmento Vineyard is located on the benchlands of the Gabilan Mountains in Monterey, where the Pacific breezes cross the range each afternoon to cool the vineyards, resulting in extended ripening over a long, moderate growing season. (Benchland is a thin stretch of level ground at the foot of slopes or mountains.)  Aging of this wine took place in French oak for up to 12 months. It opens with alluring aromas of berries, cherry, spice and vanilla. The palate offers lush layers of dark cherry, dark plum, raspberry and a lingering hint of baking spice and cherry. A beautiful marriage of silky tannins and acidity complete this irresistible Pinot Noir. Pair with grilled meat, fish, light pasta and appetizers. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $19  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Hess Select North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 This is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 1% Syrah. The grapes are harvested from the North Coast, which is known for its mild Mediterranean climate and well-drained volcanic and gravelly soils. These prime vineyard sites produce flavorful fruit with layers of natural acidity and balanced tannins.  This wine is aged in 27% new French and American oak for 18 months. It has succulent aromas of dark berries, cherry, spice and earth. Mouthwatering flavors of rich dark fruit highlighted by plum and blackberry blend with spice, vanilla, clove and cocoa that linger on the palate. Pair this wine with grilled meat, BBQ fare, hearty fish, pasta and pizza. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $19  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Both wines are perfect for year-round pouring and will pair beautifully with a myriad of cuisine!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Women’s History Month begins on March 1st. Its purpose is to acknowledge and commemorate all the contributions either great or small that women have made throughout history and continue to do so.  Taking only one month a year to celebrate women is not enough as far as I’m concerned. However, if during March we succeed in sharing enough stories, perhaps it will inspire and encourage younger generations that they too can overcome obstacles and aspire to become whoever and whatever they want to be. Within the global wine and spirits community, there is a multitude of women who have broken barriers and stepped into roles that were once dominated by men. Female winery owners and winemakers are no longer the “exception” and female distillers and master blenders are on the rise! The list of accomplished women is lengthy and impressive! Here are just a few examples of women who have helped to pave the way for others. Claudia Harris of England was the first female in the world to pass the rigorous Court of Master Sommeliers exam and receive a title in 1984. Madame Clicquot (Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin) became the proprietor of the famous champagne house in 1772 transforming it into the iconic winery Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin and earning her the title “Grande Dame of Champagne”. Joy Spence of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum is the first woman in the spirits industry to hold the title of master blender in 1997. Heather Nelson is the first woman to found a whisky distillery in Scotland in over 200 years. She opened Toulvaddie Distillery Ltd. in 2015. I’m happy to say that the list is endless and I’m so proud of these women, past and present. Over the last several years, I’ve written about many rising stars and adept women in the wine and spirits industry, including the iconic Susana Balbo. After recently receiving two of her wines, it seemed fitting to begin Women’s History Month with Susana.  Photo courtesy of Susana Balbo Susana became Argentina’s first female enologist in 1981 and was undaunted by a male-centric arena. In the early 1980s while working at a winery in Salta she was the first to experiment with Torrontés, a much-overlooked grape variety. She made her first successful vintage of Torrontés in 1983. You can read a more detailed story about Susana, her winery and wines by clicking on this link or on the ‘Categories’ menu at right. http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2017/08/day-592-susana-balbo-wines.html In addition to producing wine and creating her own winery in 1999, Susana was elected three times to serve as Presidency of Wines of Argentina and in 2015 she was elected to Argentina’s National Congress, representing the province of Mendoza. Susana is also a global leader and advocate for women’s advancement. In 2017 she became the first female to lead the W20 summit, which is an extension of the G-20 global group. Susana is a devoted mom and grandmother as well as a pioneer of Argentine wine, entrepreneur and she is dedicated to helping pave the way for women globally. So, let’s toast Susana with these remarkable wines!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Susana Signature Brioso White Blend Valle de Uco 2018 This is a beautiful blend of 35% Semillón, 35% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Torrontés. Grapes are hand-harvested from the high altitude vineyards of Finca La Delfina in the Uco Valley. The wine is aged four months in 60% first use French oak and 40% second use.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss White floral aromas, citrus notes, especially grapefruit, pear and hints of minerality set the stage for a refreshing palate of tropical fruit, citrus and creamy mouthfeel. A touch of minerality and floral linger on the finish. Drink as an aperitif or serve with fish, spicy cuisine and grilled vegetables. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $24 Susana Signature Brioso Red Blend Agrelo Mendoza 2017 This is a perfect blend of 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Malbec, 22% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The grapes are hand-harvested from Agrelo in Luján de Cuyo at elevations of over 3,300 feet. The wine is aged for 15 months in 100% new French oak barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Delicious aromas of red and dark fruit, blueberry pie, floral and a touch of baking spice open to a complex palate of blackberry, blueberry, plum, espresso beans, bittersweet chocolate and a hint of anise and violet. This wine has great structure with smooth tannins and a long finish. It has great aging potential and I look forward to tasting it again in a few years. Serve with grilled meat, poultry, stews and hearty soups. On the back label of this bottle, Susana says, “Brioso means “a spirited love of challenge” and expresses my passionate drive to create a wine that reaches the pinnacle of quality.”
Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $45 Let’s all share some inspiring stories in March and keep it going all year long. Let’s celebrate the women that have helped to open the door for future generations and us! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Today’s post is short, but I felt that this wine deserved extra attention rather than just giving a “shout out” on social media. If you haven’t yet read my story, “Two Cultures + Two Estates = Elegant Wines”, then please click on the link below to catch up and learn about Bodegas Caro and its very special wines. Trust me, it’s worth the four-minute read! http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2020/01/two-cultures-two-estates-elegant-wines.html The first vintage that was born out of the collaboration between the Catena family and Domaines Barons de Rothschild was Bodegas CARO 2000. It’s success led to two more wines that I reviewed in the above story. After tasting and reviewing Amancaya and Aruma Malbec, I was delighted to recently receive a bottle of CARO and I must say, it was worth the wait!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Bodegas CARO 2016 is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Malbec. Grapes are selected and hand-harvested from the best blocks of the high altitude vineyards of Mendoza. This wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels from Lafite’s cooperage. It is a beautifully structured wine with deep ruby tones and aromas of dark berries, plum, spice and a hint of cedar. It takes your palate on a happy journey with layers of juicy dark fruit, plum, baking spice, anise and a lingering taste of sour cherry on a long finish. It is a perfect balance of acidity and tannins and it will only get better with age. And I look forward to tasting this vintage again in a few years. Serve with hearty meat dishes, stews and seared tuna.
Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $64.99 Bodegas Caro wines are a stunning blend of two cultures, history and tradition that are poured into every bottle of wine produced. They are simply elegant! Until next time! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com If you are looking for expressive French wines that will please your palate, includes a vast range of styles, are food-friendly and won't put a dent in your wallet, then read on.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Southwest France, (Sud-Ouest in French) is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, the massive Pyrénées Mountains and Spain to the south and Bordeaux to the north. It is the fifth-largest winegrowing region in France with 300 grape varieties of which 130 are native grapes. Add to that, over 120,000 acres of land of which 40,000 acres are vineyards, plus 42 geographical designations and you have an impressive wine region.  Map credit: www.winefolly.com Without going into too much detail, there are four sub-regions throughout the Southwest with varying types of climate, soil and grape varietals. Typical climates can range between temperate oceanic and continental depending on how close the vineyards are to the ocean or if located more inland. The soil composition also varies with clay-limestone, tawny sands and pebbles throughout most of the region. These diverse, terroir-driven wines derive their character and expression from these elements and therefore the winegrowers in Southwest are taking climate change very seriously. A major concern is that over the past few decades, dozens of native grape varieties have disappeared. Three progressive groups have formed throughout the region and they are actively tracking the existing grapes, looking for ways to adapt to global warming and reduce carbon footprint. Many winegrowers are practicing sustainability with organic and minimal interference in the vineyards. And some winemakers are studying the genetic makeup of ancient grape varieties in the hopes of creating newer versions of the grapes that can adapt to climate change and are resistant to disease. The sub-regions of the Southwest are: Bergerac & Dordogne River, Tarn-et-Garonne, Lot River, Pyrénées and IGP- Côte de Gascogne Within these sub-regions are many small villages and communal appellations that must adhere to the rules and regulations of AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) or IGP for larger designated areas (Protected Geographical Indication). I recently received five Southwest France wines representing different sub-regions and appellations. In addition to the quality of these wines, the price range is an impressive range of $9 - $13! Domaine des Cassagnoles, Côtes de Gascogne 2018 IGP Depending on the vintage, this wine is typically Colombard dominant with Ugni Blanc and Gros Manseng grapes. The wine is aged in tanks until bottling. A floral bouquet leads to a crisp wine that is nicely balanced between fruit and acidity. Stone fruit, minerality, green apples and a hint of lime entertain the palate. Drink as an aperitif or serve with light appetizers, fish and light pasta. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $10  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Château Lastours, Gaillac 2016 AOP This wine is a blend of 30% Syrah, 30% Braucol, 20% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is aged in tanks for 2 to 3 years. The wine is deliciously juicy with ripe red berries, spice and soft tannins. Serve with grilled or roasted meats, poultry, casseroles and cheese. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $10  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Vinovalie, L’infini Malbec Cahors 2016 AOP This wine is 100% Malbec. It has lovely aromas of dark fruit and spice that spill onto the palate with juicy blackberry, blueberry and plum. The wine is nicely balanced with soft tannins. Vanilla, toasted nuts and pepper linger on the finish. Serve with grilled meat, chicken and hearty stews. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $9  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Château Tour Des Gendres, Bergerac 2016 AOP This wine is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Malbec. Raspberry, cherry and sweet spice aromas lead to a palate of juicy black cherry, plum and spice. This is a beautifully structured wine that will pair well with roasted meat, game, hearty stews and aged cheese. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $13  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Famille Laplace, Madiran Laplace 2016 AOP This is a blend of 70% Tannat and 30% Cabernet Franc. Although Tannat tends to be quite tannic, this wine is rich and surprisingly smooth. Lots of juicy dark fruit and acidity blend perfectly with hints of violet and spice. Pepper, vanilla and a hint of anise linger on a long finish. This wine will pair nicely with roasted red meat, white meat, stews and risotto. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $13  Photo credit: Penny Weiss I had to pinch myself a few times and reread my notes on the prices for these wines to make sure that I hadn’t transposed the numbers. Not only are the wines engaging and expressive, but the price to value ratio has left me speechless! No wonder that cases, as opposed to bottles, are being sold. I think it’s time to explore more of these delectable wines from Southwest France!
Until next time... Cheers! Penny To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It began in 1999 with the birth of a partnership between Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Catena family of Mendoza. Their mission was to produce a wine that would combine French and Argentine cultures. Baron Eric de Rothschild described it as, “An association between two cultures, two families and two noble grapes.” Bodegas Caro was born and the two signature grapes of each producer, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon became the focus of their endeavors.  Photo courtesy of Bodegas Caro Together, these families have combined their knowledge and expertise to produce elegant wines. The Catena family, who has produced wine for four generations, contributed their knowledge of the high altitude terroirs of the Mendoza region and to find the best vineyards for Malbec. Domaines Barons de Rothschild contributed their knowledge and centuries-old skills in growing, vinifying and aging Cabernet Sauvignon. DBR also imparted the art of blending different grape varieties to produce one great wine. The first vintage in 2000, called CARO, was a success and led to the creation of Amancaya in 2003, a Malbec dominated cuvée. Aruma Malbec (100%) was introduced with the 2010 vintage. The vineyards are located in two zones in Mendoza. The first zone is in Luján de Cuyo and Maipú. This zone is noted to be among the best in Argentina for making wines. The altitude range is 2625 ft. to 2953 ft. with average temperatures of 46 to 73 degrees. The second zone is in the Uco Valley in Tunuyán, Tupungato and San Carlos. The altitude range is 3280 ft. to 5250 ft. with average temperatures of 44 degrees to 71 degrees. The high elevations in these zones are beneficial to the grapes due to the high daytime temperatures and cooler nights. This diurnal temperature variation contributes to slowing the ripening process, extending the growing season and allowing the grapes time to produce balanced sugar and acidity.  All of the grapes are handpicked and hand-sorted before de-stemming and vinification to make sure that only the best grapes are used. Each vintage is aged in oak barrels, 18 months for CARO and 12 months for Amancaya. Most of the barrels are made at the DBR’s cooperage in Bordeaux. Aruma Malbec is aged in tanks to preserve the fruit-driven style and to allow the varietal characteristics of the grape to come through. Overseeing all of this is Philippe Rolet, Estate Manager and winemaker who joined Bodegas Caro in January 2019. Philippe was born in Jura, France into a family-owned winery, Domaine Rolet. He began his career at Domaine William Fèvre and went on to work with many prestigious wineries in Argentina, Chile and France before becoming estate manager for Bodegas Caro.  Philippe Rolet Photo courtesy of Bodegas Caro I asked Philippe what his biggest challenge was in the vineyards and presumed he might speak about springtime frost and summertime hail that are common threats in high altitude vineyards. I was not expecting the following answer! "The biggest challenge we face in the vineyard is living together with ants. The vineyards in Mendoza are located in a semi-desert climate. In this environment, apart from vineyards, leaves are rare. Our vineyards are in transition for organic management. We do not use pesticides or insecticides. Therefore, ants can be very damaging, destroying young shoots and leaves in springtime, thus, reducing crops and also killing vines. Ants are part of our biodiversity. Our actual challenge is offering them something more appetizing than our vine leaves. Native flowers appear as a good alternative. We actually investigated the right native species to plant within our vineyards." After doing a little reading, I learned that ants are indeed an issue in many vineyards of Argentina. I am quite happy that Philippe and his team were able to solve their ant problem and my palate is especially pleased. I recently had the opportunity to taste two of the estate wines and I was duly impressed by their quality and expression.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Bodegas Caro Amancaya Reserve Red Blend 2017
This is a blend of 72% Malbec and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were handpicked from vines over 30 years old. Aging took place for 12 months with 50% in French oak barrels and 50% in concrete vats. This ruby-red wine is filled with aromas of cherry, raspberry and baking spice. The palate is layered with lush fruit of ripe cherries and plum followed by spice and slight oak integration. A hint of cocoa and anise linger on the finish with soft tannins. This is a beautiful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that clearly shows off the marriage of Argentinian and Bordeaux styles. This wine is named after Amancaya, a mountain flower that grows in the Andes. Alcohol: 14% SRP $70.99 Bodegas Caro Aruma Malbec 2017 This wine is 100% Malbec. As previously noted, the grapes are handpicked and the wine is aged in tanks. The color is dark ruby with intense aromas of floral, red fruit and a hint of herbs. An array of juicy and fruit-driven flavors greet the palate with cherry, blackberry and spice. This is a graceful wine with a harmonious balance between tannins, acidity and alcohol. “Aruma” means “night” in the Quechua language. The name was chosen for “the intense darkness of the nights in the Andes and the pure mountain air that give the wines the rich, authentic character of their terroir.” Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $70.99 Both wines will pair well with appetizers, grilled meat, stews, hearty pasta and fatty fish such as grilled tuna. These wines are a treat to drink and priced well. I’m looking forward to tasting CARO in the next few weeks and sharing my thoughts with you. Until then… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Hopefully, by now you are familiar with Domaine Bousquet after reading several of my stories and numerous reviews of their wines. And perhaps you have a bottle or two in your wine cellar! Domaine Bousquet is located in the upper reaches of the Gualtallary Valley in Tupungato, part of Mendoza’s Uco Valley in Argentina. Sitting at an altitude of 4,000 feet, it is considered one of the highest altitude vineyards in Mendoza and in the world!  Map credit: Maggie Nelson Noted for their use of French and Argentinian winemaking techniques, Anne Bousquet stated, “The objective of the Bousquet family was to unite our tradition of European winemaking with the ideal agricultural conditions in Mendoza.” If you are not familiar with the Bousquet family history, the estate and its terroir, please click on the links below. Day 622 Bonjour Argentina! - The WineKnitter http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2018/01/day-622-bonjour-argentina.html Day 626 Bonjour Argentina! Part Two - The WineKnitter http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2018/02/day-626-bonjour-argentina-part-two.html All of Domaine Bousquet wines are made from 100% organic fruit since the first vines were planted in 1997. Special attention is always taken to preserve the purity of the organic fruit. Sulfites occur naturally in grapes, but winemakers add additional sulfites to wine as a preservative. The sulfites help to maintain the wine’s freshness and slow down oxidation. With the release of Domaine Bousquet’s Virgen 2018, it marks their first no-sulfites-added, USDA certified organic red blend. Anne Bousquet said, “We only tackled this project once we were confident that we could manage the challenges of making a top-notch organic wine. We also wanted to make sure that this wine was true to our house style: an elegant wine with bright, clean, fruit flavors.”  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Domaine Bousquet Virgen Organic Red Blend 2018 is made with estate-grown 35% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. As with all grapes from the estate, they are manually harvested. The three grape varieties were fermented together, no oak was used and no sulfites were added allowing for the “purest expression of the terroir.”  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine is deep purple with intoxicating aromas of ripe red fruit, dark berries, violets and spice. A richly layered palate is filled with juicy blackberries, black raspberry, blueberries, floral, spice and anise. The alcohol and acidity are perfectly balanced with fruit and anise lingering on a lengthy finish. This is a “drink now” wine. Pair with hearty stews, grilled meat, fowl and pasta. Alcohol: 15.5% SRP: $13 In addition to the Virgen Red Blend, I opened Domaine Bousquet’s Premium Cabernet Sauvignon. The premium varietal series is usually a blend of estate and purchased fruit from the Uco Valley.  Premium Varietal Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon made from 100% organic fruit manually harvested from estate vineyards. This wine is un-oaked. An inky purple color leads to aromas of dark berries, black plum, floral and spice. The palate offers a mix of berries infused with dark cherry, plum, spice, licorice and a touch of pepper and violets on the finish. This is a smooth wine with just the right balance of tannins and acidity. Pair with aged cheese, grilled meat, veggies and hearty soups. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $13  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Domaine Bousquet wines never disappoint my palate and they are offered at an amazing price!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Yes, I’m writing about wines from Portugal again. Let’s face it, many great wines are being produced in this country and the price to value ratio is impressive. With fourteen diverse regional wine areas and 250 indigenous grape varieties grown here, there is a lot to offer. Esporão is a cutting edge winery with a presence throughout Portugal. I’ve tasted and reviewed their wines before but felt inspired to write a touch more about this winery after tasting a few more samples of their wines and olive oil that were sent to me recently.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss To read more detail about the wine regions of Portugal and past wine reviews, please click on the Categories menu at right. Esporão has approximately 700 hectares of prime agricultural areas that include wine vineyards, olive groves and other crops planted in the Alentejo and Douro wine regions of Portugal. The Herdade do Esporão estate is in the Alentejo region and Quinta dos Murças property is in the Douro region.  Herdade do Esporão has 450 hectares of vineyards with 194 grape varieties planted on the estate of which 40 grape varieties are in full production. In addition to the wine vineyards, there are four types of olive trees in the 80-hectare olive groves along with orchards and kitchen gardens. All farming uses organic methods and integrated production. Quinta dos Murças is located in the heart of the Douro DOC region amid 8 diverse terroirs distinguished by different altitudes, varied schist soils and sun exposures. This estate was the first to plant vertical vineyards in the Douro region in 1947. The property has 48 hectares of wine vineyards, an olive grove, orange grove and almond trees. All agricultural production here employs organic production methods. Esporão Reserva White 2017 DOC Alentejo is considered the flagship wine of the Esporão Alentejo estate. Grapes are harvested from 18-year-old grapevines in certified organic vineyards with soil of granite/schist base and loam/clay structure. This wine is a blend of 20% Antão Vaz, 40% Arinto and 40% Roupeiro grapes. It is aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks and in new American and French oak barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss A color of golden yellow leads to aromas of floral, grapefruit, white stone fruit, vanilla and a hint of banana. The palate is layered with stone fruit, apple, pineapple, and a touch of spice, toast and minerality. This is a rich wine with a creamy texture and just the right amount of acidity. Citrus zest on a lengthy finish adds a refreshing touch. Serve as an aperitif or with light fare. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $20 Esporão Colheita Red 2017 is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon and Arargonez grapes that were harvested from 11-year-old vines in certified organic vineyards. Vines are grown in soil of granite/schist base and loam/clay structure. This wine was aged for 6 months in tulip-shaped porous tanks that aim to preserve the wine’s character.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Fresh berries, plum, spice and a hint of floral greet the nose of this vibrant ruby colored wine. This is an elegant and balanced wine that is full-bodied and rich in flavor. Cherry, plum, dark berries, spice and a touch of anise and earth grace the palate. A bit of pepper and dark plum linger on the finish. Serve with grilled meat, fowl and pasta. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $18 Quinta dos Murças Minas Red 2016 DOC Douro is a blend of Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão and Tinta Francisca. The vineyards are located at altitudes between 360 ft. and 985 ft. with schist soil and vines ranging from 8 years old to 32 years old. Aging took place in concrete vats and used French oak casks for 9 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss A deep ruby color leads to intense aromas of ripe berries, floral and spice. The palate offers lush dark berries, black cherry, spice and a hint of licorice. This is another elegant wine that is fresh and balanced with firm tannins and acidity. It is rich but not overpowering and will pair nicely with an array of meat, grilled tuna steaks and hearty stews. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $20 Esporão produces six varieties of olive oil. As stated on their website, “The production of Esporão’s olive oils comes from the will to apply the knowledge obtained in the production of wines into the production of high quality olive oils. Thus, we seek that our olive oils are the expression of their land, looking forward to enhance indigenous varieties. All oils, exclusively extra virgin or virgin, are produced using natural methods and entirely traditional processes, preserving the pure juice of the harvested olives.”  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Esporão Organic Olival dos Arrifes Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a blend of Cobrançosa and Arbequina green olives that are harvested from the Arrifes olive grove at Herdade do Esporão. The olive grove has been certified in Biological Production Mode since 2009. I poured a little of the olive oil into a shot glass. The color is golden yellow with a slight greenish hue. This is a very aromatic and flavorful olive oil. An inviting aroma of fruit, floral and spice segued onto the palate offering vegetal, (mainly artichoke) a hint of pepper and a slightly bitter and nutty finish. Drizzle it on fresh grilled vegetables. Quite yummy!
SRP: $16/250ml As I continue to explore the myriad of wines that Portugal has to offer, I will share my findings with you. In the meantime, try a glass of Esporão wine and share your thoughts with me! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It’s springtime and everyone is opening up bottles of white, rosé and sparkling wines to celebrate the warm weather and Mother’s Day this weekend! I, on the other hand, opened a bottle of red wine to sate my curiosity and palate! In 2014, I opened one of two bottles of 1997 Estancia Meritage Alexander Valley that I had tucked away in my cellar. It was quite good considering how old it was so I decided to wait a year or two before opening the second bottle. However, I forgot all about the wine until I stumbled upon it today while looking for another wine. I never intended to wait this long before opening it and now I wasn’t sure what I would find after 22 years had passed since the grapes were harvested.  Alexander Valley appellation is at the northern end of Sonoma County and is home to many microclimates, but overall a Mediterranean climate dominates the region. Elevations range from 400 to 2500 feet and soils are rocky and diverse. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most widely planted grapes here, but many other varieties such as Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc also grow in this appellation.  Estancia Meritage Alexander Valley 1997 is a Bordeaux-style blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in American oak for 20 months, of which 57% is new oak. I was not surprised that the cork decided to crumble when trying to remove it, so I decanted the wine through a strainer.  I was happy to see that the wine was a rich garnet color with encouraging fruit aromas as I decanted it. Luscious aromas of dark cherry, black plum, earth and hints of spice greeted me. My palate was treated to a surprising amount of fruit, spice, dried cranberry, fennel and pepper. The wine was silky with a soft but lengthy finish. Wow! This wine may be past its best, but it is still very drinkable and I am impressed! This was quite a treat! The back label has a quote from David Perata, Alexander Valley Vineyard Master. "This Bordeaux-style blend is a sophisticated and elegant expression of the highest quality fruit from the Alexander Valley." Yes, indeed! Alcohol: 13.5%  And now on to the rosés and sparkling wines to celebrate Mother’s Day!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com France + Argentina = Domaine Bousquet What happens when you blend the art of French winemaking with an Argentinian flair? The outcome is an amazing array of wines to sate one’s palate. Domaine Bousquet states, “The objective of the Bousquet family was to unite our tradition of European winemaking with the ideal agricultural conditions in Mendoza.” Domaine Bousquet is located in the Gualtallary Valley in Tupungato, part of Mendoza’s Uco Valley in Argentina. Sitting at an altitude of 4,000 feet, it is considered one of the highest altitude vineyards in Mendoza and the world!  Photo credit: Domaine Bousquet Gualtallary has up to 7 different types of soil, but Domaine Bousquet is the only estate with sand as its primary soil. Sandy soil drains well and retains heat that helps to produce highly aromatic wines. With minimal rainfall, water delivery to the vines is controlled by an irrigation process through a drop-by-drop system with pure mountain run-off, which creates lower pH in the grape, resulting in higher acidity, and more color in the wine. All of Domaine Bousquet wines are made from 100% organic fruit and always have been since the first vines were planted in the year 2000. With the benefits of cool climate, sandy soil, controlled water irrigation and healthy organic grapes, it sets the stage for quality wines. I have tasted and reviewed many wines from Domaine Bousquet’s collections, which includes their Premium wines, Reserve and Grande Reserve line. So, I was very excited when a bottle of Ameri Icon wine arrived.  Ameri wine is made only in the best vintage years from a single vineyard that sits at 1250 meters (4,125 ft.) making it the highest altitude vineyard on the estate. The grapes are harvested by hand and after fermentation and maceration, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 16 months.  Domaine Bousquet Ameri Single Vineyard 2015 is a beautiful blend of 60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah and 5% Merlot. The color is majestic purple with inviting aromas of dark and red berries, plum, spice and a touch of floral. The palate is layered with blackberry, raspberry, plum, violet, spice, anise, hints of pepper and vanilla leading to a lengthy finish. It is a full-bodied wine with silky tannins and undeniable elegance. Pair with pasta, meats, poultry, stews, and cheese. Only 500 cases are made, so get thee to a wine store! Alcohol: 14.7% SRP: $36 Ameri is named for the co-owner Labid al Ameri To learn more about the history of Domaine Bousquet estate, climate, terroir, wine reviews and the dynamic Anne Bousquet and her husband Labid al Ameri, please click on the menu at right. Until next time…  Cheers!
Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
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