Country: Argentina Region: Mendoza
Varietal: Malbec Vintage: 2024
Colour: Red Style: Dry
Producer: Francois Lurton
Description:In the 90’s the Malbec just recovered by the Argentineans was trying to get its “ lettres de noblesse”. The brothers decided as Bordeaux specialists of producing fine wines to try to show how Malbec can develop complex but easy drinking, supple and elegant wines. This is done by avoiding over-extraction and over-ripeness which were often the case at this time. This is how Piedra Negra Malbec was born, sourcing grapes not only from their own vineyard but also from very old vineyards all along the Andes from Tupungato to La Consulta.In 1999 they produced their first “Piedra Negra” (named after the black foothills of the Andes). Even from the first vintage it was all they hoped it would be, complex, fine and elegant with a purity of flavour. Today this wine has become one of the world’s benchmark Malbec.
Ageing Potential: 5-7 Years
Tasting Note:Red summer fruit aromas dominate with a slight touch of black pepper. On the palate there is an attractive concentration of ripe red fruits with a good structure and the tannins are soft and smooth. Its finish is long with notes of coffee. Perfect with grilled meats and pasta dishes.
Food Matches: Turkey / Venison / Pasta / Blue Cheese
*** Gold Medal at San Francisco Wine Awards ***
Country: Spain Region: Rioja Alta
Varietal: Tempranillo, Garnacha
Category: Red Wine Style: Dry
Producer: Ramon Bilbao
Description:Bodegas Ramón Bilbao is situated in a privileged location: Haro, in Rioja Alta, a paradise where Rioja’s emblematic grape variety, Tempranillo, grows best. From vines with an average age of 40 years, this concentrated, intense Rioja is a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha. This soft and supple wine is vibrant ruby in colour with aromas of red cherry and blackberry fruit and slight hints of vanilla on the medium bodied palate. Well structured with a long and pleasant finish which would be ideal with red meat stews and cheeses.
Tasting Notes:Ruby red colour with shades of lively, youthfulness. It is clean and bright with "legs". Medium robe. Medium intensity aromas on the nose. Fruit aromas of black fruit, mainly plums. Varietal notes of liquorice. Dried nuts : pine nuts and fresh almonds. Spicy nuances of cumin and other sweet spices such as vanilla and cinnamon. Underlying notes of clean, elegant wood. Medium intensity on the palate, with crisp acidity. With pleasant tannin and integrated alcohol. In the retro-nasal phase the black fruit and varietal nuances return. A harmonious wine, still developing and ready to drink.
Food Matches: Cold meats / Mild Cheeses / Blue fish