THE CURIOUS QUAFFER
CHRISTMAS IN THE AMERICAS
Special wines are for special occasions. As Christmas time is such
an occasion, the Oxton wine tasting group on the Wirral this
December travelled to the Americas to taste some special wines
for its annual Christmas ‘bash’. Not literally to the Americas, of
course, but this year it took a tour around Chile, Argentina and
California, all whilst sat comfortably around a food laden table
on the Wirral Peninsula. The next best thing, I guess!
Many of you will be familiar with some of the wines that come from
Chile, Argentina and California. Between them they produce not
only a huge quantity of wine but, more importantly, they all produce
an array of different wines from the very top drawer. Whilst Chile
may be best known for its cabernet sauvignon, there are over
twenty different grape varieties grown in the country. Something
for everyone. Argentina similarly produces wines of quality with
its main wine region, Mendoza, being its leader in terms of quality
and quantity. Whilst one may simply associate Mendoza with the
ubiquitous malbec grape, there is much more on offer here too. As
to California, almost three quarters the size of France, it produces
the vast majority of all wines that comes from the USA. If California
were a separate country, it would be the world's fourth largest wine
producer. Quite a statistic. Here, again though, you are not just
talking quantity. Quality and variety is to be found everywhere in
the state.
A number of wines were tasted, designed to showcase the range and
quality of the wines on offer from these three constituent parts of
the North and South American continents. In total ten wines were
tasted – as always blind! None of the wines were made from the
same grape or were of the same variety. All ten were wines from
some of the most renowned and famous names in the world of wine
production. Wineries of distinction.
Au Bon Climat – Pinot Gris/ Pinot Blanc (2017) – from Santa
Barbara Country comes this light, refreshing, energetic, white wine.
From one of the most famous and renowned wineries in California
you get aromas of pear, apple, lemon, lime and a hint of cream. It
carries great minerality and acidity (great wine for shellfish or white
meat). On the palate you have a rich and textured wine. Nice stuff.
Catena Zapata – Adrianna Vineyard ‘White Stones’ Chardonnay
(2011) – from the renowned Catena Zapata vineyard comes this
bright gold, rich, full bodied chardonnay. Lemons and sugary/ ripe
tree fruits, a touch of cream and a hint of nut. This was a really
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interesting wine with complexity and, despite its age, a sharpness
and good acidity. In my view a world away from your average new
world chardonnay. A different class.
Errazuriz – Carménère ‘Kai’ (2006) – from the Aconcagua Valley,
this is made from 87% carmenere, 9% petit verdot and 4% syrah. It
is a gorgeous, lush, rounded, deep violet-red wine. You get ripe black
fruit, some spice, black pepper and ginger intermingled with subtle
notes of truffles, cocoa, leather and roasted coffee. The tannins have
become wonderfully soft and silky here. Overall there is a beautiful
sweetness to this wine. Polished.
The Hilt - Pinot Noir Vanguard (2011) – again from Santa Barbara
Country. This is a great example of the wonderful new world pinots
that are coming out of North America at the moment (California
and Oregon being at the top of the tree here). This was medium
bodied, with dark forward fruit, sweet tannins and a lovely silkiness.
For its age it was drinking very well. If you ever see a pinot from
California or Oregon – give it a go. They are, in the main, lovely,
balanced, wines. This wine was up there with some of the best.
Errazuriz - Shiraz La Cumbre (2006) – again from the Errazuriz
stable in the Aconcagua Valley. Made from 100% Syrah we have an
intense, full bodied, ruby red wine. Aromas of herbs, black cherries
and blueberry. On the palate blackberry, blueberry, red cherry,
raspberry, herbs, vanilla and tobacco. This was a wonderfully fresh
and slightly jammy wine. Great new world, aged, shiraz.
Pulenta Estate - Gran Cabernet Franc XI (2014) – from the
Pulenta estate in Mendoza comes this stunning wine, with rich red
berries, blackberry fruit, mint, pencil shavings, pepper, tobacco and
a touch of chocolate. The tannins are silky smooth. Truly wonderful
and elegant in equal measure.
Trapiche - Malbec Single Vineyard ‘Viña Fausto Orellana de
Escobar’ (2007) - This wine has turned into a stunner. Powerful,
but complex. As smooth as it gets. With blackberry, damson, red
currant, blackcurrant and cherry we get a rich, sweet, delicious wine
with good acidity. As a twelve year old wine, the tannins are ripe and
fine. A complex wine with great length.
Bedrock Wine Company – Old Vine Zinfandel (2015) – classic zin
from the Sonoma Valley. A lovely nose of black fruits and cherries,
with a palate that then follows the nose. Some chocolate and spice