Join us this Friday between 4 and 7 p.m. as we take a trip to South America and taste some highly rated wines from Chile and Argentina. Both countries enjoy favorable climates and terroirs, and South American red wines have never been better. The world wine press has noticed and we’re serving you up a trio of 90+ point rated reds that are guaranteed to please your palate. If you are a fan of or want to learn more about South American red wines, this is a tasting not to miss!
All of the tasting wines will be on sale at 10% off by the bottle, 15% off if you mix any six of them, or 20% off if you mix any twelve or more of them. Thus, it’s not only a great time to taste, it’s the perfect time to buy and save!
The Wines
Prices range from $15 to $30 per bottle
1. 2012 Zorzal Wines Malbec “Terroir Unico” (Mendoza, Argentina) – Zorzal is a young winery, created in 2008, and it is owned and operated by the Michelini brothers. The winery is quite simple, and they are championing the fermentation and aging of wines in egg-shaped cement vats, a trend that seems to be catching in Argentina and Chile. Thus, this is not your typical Argentinean Malbec in the sense that it it sees no aging in oak at all. The result is a wine with a strong sense of minerality, earth, and pure Malbec character.
92 points The Wine Advocate
2. 2012 Casa Silva Carmenere “Los Lingues Vineyard” (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – The Silva family pioneered grape-growing in the Colchagua Valley and their cellar is the oldest in the valley. They are regarded by most as one of the top Carmenere producers in the entire country and after tasting this one, we won’t argue with that assessment. If you’d like to learn more about the Carmenere grape and its history in Chile, click here — otherwise, just note that it is Chile’s signature red wine, kind of like Malbec is to Argentina. The Silvas have produced a classic version with their 2012 — full bodied and possessing an intense nose of dark fruits, spices and herbs, it finishes silky smooth and long with just a touch of tannic grip. 90 points Stephen Tanzer
3. 2011 Bodega Renacer Enamore Red Wine (Mendoza, Argentina) – Enamore is a joint venture between Renacer and famed Amarone producer Allegrini, and this is one interesting and delicious red wine. Based on a blend of 45% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Bonarda and 5% Cabernet Franc, after the grapes are harvested, they are allowed to partially dry in the arid winds of the Andean Mountains. After that, the wine is fermented and then aged in new French oak for 12 months. The resulting wine is gently and pleasantly sweet with rich notes of roasted fruit, raisin and exotic spices. If you love Amarone, but hate paying the price, this is a delicious wine and a relatively great value.
91 points Stephen Tanzer