Tag Archives: lujan de cuyo

Carmelo Patti Gran Assemblage 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Sunday Feb 2022

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The second red wine at the 25th Virtual tasting was from the same producer as the first bottle.  This one is a year younger and has been blended with Malbec, Merlot and Cab Franc.  A mix of new and used oak in the winemaking allowed us to compare flavors and aromas with a wine that relied mostly on used oak.

In the glass this blend is medium garnet, slightly less opaque than the Cab Sav we tasted previously.  Leather, tobacco, black currant, black cherry, blackberry and cassis aromas were quite evident on the nose.  The palate was dry, slightly tart with medium tannins, medium (-) acidity and light bodied.  Flavors of black currant, spice, leather, tobacco, blood/iron and orange marmalade but I did make a note that this wine was a touch ‘thin’.  Scoring it 91 points was a little off from the pros.  This $50 bottle gets 3 stars from me and only 14 marks on the tasting scale.  Drink now with lighter meat dishes.  Salut….

Carmelo Patti Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Sunday Feb 2022

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The red wine portion of the 25th Virtual Wine Tasting was focussed on oak and it’s influence on wine.  I purchased this Cab Sav that the winemaker ages is used barrels as a baseline.  The single varietal coupled with old oak would give us a starting point to build from.  Here is what the group had to say:

Deep garnet with a touch of bricking on this 10 year old wine that was showing fine legs in the glass.  The nose had very obvious aromas of cherry Coke/Pepsi.  Black cherry, black raspberry, dark chocolate, leather, smoky, woodsy spice and bramble.  On the palate this wine was smooth with medium (-) acidity, medium body, very fine and well-integrated tannins with a decently long finish.  On the palate we got black cherry, dark chocolate, licorice, bramble, leather and what can only be described as ‘BandAid’ by one of the group.  I scored this wine 15 marks, and then later upped it to 17 once it had had a chance to breathe.  No further reports of that plastic component!  91 points for this very svelte $35 bottle gets it 4 stars in my book.  I would drink this wine all by itself- it’s at peak now.  Salut….

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2018, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina

04 Tuesday Jan 2022

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I have drunk numerous vintages of this Malbec, in copious quantities to boot- so when I was looking for a red wine to try and pair with Andouille and Shrimp Creole I thought this might just work.  Spicy foods need to stay away from very tannic wines which need to be very fruit forward and cannot flaunt too much acidity.  This varietal is just that; medium tannins, high in fruit and mild in acidity.

This Reserve offering is inky purple in the glass, like opaque.  The nose is very fruity with ripe plum, toast, cinnamon, blackcurrant, black cherry and anise.  The palate is beautiful- full bodied yet super smooth with black fruits galore, gentle acidity and lithe tannins.  A virtual compote of black and dark red fruit with hints of oak.  A long finish that is all fruit, little astringency and mildly tart- perfect for my needs.  I would also pair this wine with roast poultry, venison, even a pork tenderloin and obviously steaks.  It will drink nicely till 2026 and gets 91 points from me.  At $18 it’s a steal that gets 5 stars.  If you like round, plush, fruity wines that are not very tart or astringent then look for this gem.  Salut….

Dona Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina

27 Thursday Dec 2018

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Very pale gold.  The nose gives off lemon zest, honeydew, yellow apple. On the palate it defies my expectations with tart citrus, pineapple and ginger.  The wine has a nice acidity and a light mouthfeel, refreshing.  The finish is short and to the point.  That lemony hint comes back and the tang is pronounced.  A very delightful quaffer.  I am going to use some in my cheese fondue recipe.  88 points and 4 stars for this $11 value- drink now.  Salut….