Tag Archives: bonarda

Ernesto Catena Vineyards Tikal Patriota 2018, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Saturday May 2023

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A 60/40 Bonarda/Malbec blend, this was the second wine in our lineup at the 31st virtual wine tasting.  It showed deep purple with lots of staining and medium viscosity (13.5% ABV).  On the nose- blackberry, black cherry, black currant, pomegranate and caramel.  Others noted candied cherry, twizzlers, fig, slate and violet.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity and high tannins.  The dark, ripe fruit flavors were echoed on the palate along with some oak influence- coffee, charred wood and an oaky hint.  The finish on this medium bodied wine was decent in length and really honed in on the ripe, black berries.  I gave it 13 points on our scoring sheet and would assign it 90 points.  For $20 this wine gets 4 stars with a drinking window of 2025-2030 unless you like them tannic AF.  Salut….

Trivento Amado Sur Malbec – Bonarda – Syrah 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

11 Monday Jan 2021

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I harvested a Deer a few weeks ago and had the butcher make some Spicy Sausages. Having never tried them I was at a loss for a wine pairing until I came across this blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah. I have had the Amado Sur before and this seemed the most likely candidate. Dark purple and totally opaque. On the nose I get candied strawberry and red licorice. The palate is a touch darker in the fruit department with black berries, dark cherry coulis and bitter plums. There is a whack of acidity to this wine but a medium serving of tannins. Perfect for my pairing, as Venison is very lean and we are pairing this with pasta and Vodka sauce, which is somewhat creamy. The mid palate is really juicy and I have quickly forgotten/forgiven that stlightly sweet nose profile which I really don’t care for. The finish ends abruptly but not before I get that bitter jab again. It’s an issue IMHO. Overall this is a decent weekday pop-n-pour and it serves my needs tonight. 87 points make this $14 wine a 3 star effort. Previous vintages that lacked the bitterness were better BTW. Drink till 2022. Salut….

Andas Mountain Cuvée Red 2019, Mendoza, Argentina

28 Monday Dec 2020

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Quite dark and brooding in the glass.  The nose is somewhat muted but I managed to swirl some black cherry and cassis.  The palate is basic with black and blue fruit notes, gentle acidity and mild tannins.  The mid palate is a little hollow but I do get some plum and blueberry notes.  The finish is rather short but the tannins hold on for a while, not overly dry but present.  A weekday wine to pair with pasta or pizza it gets 85 points from me.  Drink till 2022. This unique Argentinian red nlend of Bonarda, Malbec, and Syrah cost me $21 and gets 2 stars. Salut….

Cameron Hughes Lot 726 Charbono 2018, Napa Valley, California

03 Thursday Sep 2020

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It’s a very dark shade of purple in the glass, very inviting.  On the nose I get sweet blackberries, plum extract and cherry cola.  The palate is interesting- ripe black fruit, capsicum greeness, some cherry and dried fruit.  The mid palate is very fruit forward and I get tons more of that dark cherry cola note alongside some slightly green tannins that are a touch bitter.  The back end is very dry from the structure and there is a modicum of acidity.  If you like ’em dry, this one’s for you.  The finish is decent in length and continues the theme.  I like this wine but think it may have some ripeness issues.  88 points from me and drink till 2024.  For $18 this Charbono, also known as Bonarda, is a 3 star wine.  If you have never had this varietal, give it a try!  Salut….

Durigutti Bonarda 2017, Mendoza, Argentina

06 Wednesday May 2020

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Wow, the color of this Bonarda is spectacular- deep, rich purple, almost opaque, but clear enough to see around the edges.  The nose is blackberry, black currants, oak influence and a rich fruit cake.  The palate is very thick with gobs of fruit and a steely tannic grip. The main profile is more black fruits, some currant preserves, toasty coconut and those tannins that are a feature of this varietal.  My gums are blackened with them and my mouth is puckering, just what I was hoping for when I ordered this wine.  I really wanted to delve into some unique grapes from South America, this one does not disappoint.  The mid-palate continues the massive fruit and tannin wave to a really long, dry finish.  Blackberry jam, charcoal and black tea are all present.  There’s a definitive spiciness to this wine that I am really enjoying.  The tannins are on pointe and the juicy acidity marries up nicely making a very tidy, long lived package.  If you like ’em young and dry, pop one.  I would pair this with braised Lamb Shanks, grilled goat or a big Ribeye.  This is a whopper of a wine and I am going 91 points.  Drink till 2030.  For $18 it’s a great intro to this grape and worth 5 stars.  Salut….

Chakana Maipe Reserve Bonarda 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

18 Saturday Mar 2017

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I started drinking this with dinner before I took notes.   I was so impressed that I had to look to see if I had reviewed it already.  Not the case, so here goes.

Medium to dark purple in the glass bodes well for this Bonarda.  The variety is also known as Charbono in other circles.  The nose is beautiful, full and all about the cassis, dark plums and black cherry. The initial taste echoes the nose.  This wine is delicious.  Tar, cherry and cassis abound on the palate and carry through to the finish.  Tannins are gentle and balanced with a nice level of acidity.  This wine drinks great now and will continue to do so till 2022.  I paired it with stuffed peppers and a Turkey meatball pasta dish.  It worked well, but the real match is probably with a grilled lamb chop.  91 points from me but then again I love expanding my palate with off the beaten path varietals.  $16 and 5 stars from me.  Salut…

Maipe bonarda

Trivento Amado Sur 2014, Mendoza Argentina

29 Sunday Jan 2017

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I am a big fan of Trivento, as can be seen in my write-ups.  The Amado Sur is a blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah.

Dark purple in the glass.  A nose of black currants, oregano, chocolate powder.  On the palate- currant, cinnamon stick and crunchy tannins.  On the mid palate there are some plum notes as well the currants.  The tannins are really apparent in the finish, and give off a dry mouthfeel.  This wine is balanced and tasty, but perhaps young.  It will reward some cellaring but offers good flavors and structure right now to pair with prime rib, eggplant moussaka or even roast duck with orange sauce- or some cheese and chorizo like I did.  I like it and am going 90 points.  For $14, this is a really good deal.  4 stars.  Salut….

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Trivento Amado Sur 2011

08 Saturday Jun 2013

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Mostly Malbec with a dose of Bonarda and Syrah, this little gem fits between the Malbec Reserve and Golden Reserve of which I am very fond of.  Deftly made with subtle oak, there is a serious tannic compound to this wine which will hold it together in the cellar for years to come.  Dark purple in the glass with very interesting blueberry notes and some mintiness on the nose.  On the palate is where the blueberry driven Malbec mixes it up with the red fruits of the Bonarda and Syrah.  I’m not sure where the tannins are derived from, but they just wont quit.  I was licking my lips forever after each sip, the mouth puckering was amazing, in a good way.  The acidity was bright and balanced in this wine.  It finished with a plumminess that was somewhat jamlike, which I enjoyed.  89 points in my book and a 5 star wine for the price.  This winery keeps on delivering the goods, a must have for the cellar to be enjoyed for the next 7 years.  Salut!

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Alma Negra ‘M Blend’ 2009

04 Monday Feb 2013

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Another wine from a friend…this time from Argentina.  The ‘M Blend’ immediately steered me to Malbec of some sort.  I was right, and wrong.  On the nose, classic Malbec fruitiness with blueberry and plum.  On the palate is where I got stumped.  I guessed Syrah as the blended portion, only to find out it was Bonarda.  Not as fruity as other Malbecs that I have had, it still offered an interesting twist on the varietal.  The Bonarda addition was intriguing, as was the use of oak.  This wine is slightly young and could do with another year to meld all the pieces.  Tannins were evident, as was a good acidity.  For about $20, this is a 3 star wine and possibly an 89 point effort.  I enjoyed it to a certain degree, but just not my favorite style of Malbec.  The label rocked though!

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