The Time and Date: Monday, August 24, 2009 2:30 PM – 4 PM
The Event: a tasting of Andeluna Cellars (Argentina), repped by Stem
Wine Group <www.stemwinegroup.com>
The Venue: Vertical, 100 King St West
The Target Audience: wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: the entry level wines are available through
the consignment program, about $16 each. Plus the Grand Reserve
Pasionado. The others were private orders.
The Quote/Background: Andeluna (Andes + moon) in Mendoza was founded in
2002 by H. Ward Lay of Texas and the Rutini family, Argentine grape
growers. They stress wines for the North American market, with Malbec,
Merlot, Cabernet, Chardonnay, and some local varieties such as
Torrontes. The heart of the winery is in Tupungato in the Uco Valley.
Their wines have always been highly rated. Michel Rolland was a wine
consultant to the company.
The Wines:
The Event: a tasting of Andeluna Cellars (Argentina), repped by Stem
Wine Group <www.stemwinegroup.com>
The Venue: Vertical, 100 King St West
The Target Audience: wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: the entry level wines are available through
the consignment program, about $16 each. Plus the Grand Reserve
Pasionado. The others were private orders.
The Quote/Background: Andeluna (Andes + moon) in Mendoza was founded in
2002 by H. Ward Lay of Texas and the Rutini family, Argentine grape
growers. They stress wines for the North American market, with Malbec,
Merlot, Cabernet, Chardonnay, and some local varieties such as
Torrontes. The heart of the winery is in Tupungato in the Uco Valley.
Their wines have always been highly rated. Michel Rolland was a wine
consultant to the company.
The Wines:
**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Andeluna Chardonnay 2007, $16: delicious butterscotch complexity,
huge.
-Andeluna Grand Reserve Pasionado, $49: second vintage, Bordeaux-style,
but using both US and French oak. 14.9%ABV. 49% Malbec, 26% merlot, 17%
cab sauv, 8% cab franc. Toasty red fruit, solid spine for aging.
-Andeluna Chardonnay 2007, $16: delicious butterscotch complexity,
huge.
-Andeluna Grand Reserve Pasionado, $49: second vintage, Bordeaux-style,
but using both US and French oak. 14.9%ABV. 49% Malbec, 26% merlot, 17%
cab sauv, 8% cab franc. Toasty red fruit, solid spine for aging.
***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Andeluna Winemaker's Selection Torrontes, $16: 13.8% ABV, stainless,
fleshy flashy fresh wine, peach and apricot tones. Intensely aromatic.
Twist top.
-Andeluna Malbec Reserve 2005, $24: private order, red fruit, delicious
plums, 13.7%ABV. Soft tannins, 5% cabernet added.
-Andeluna Winemaker's Selection Torrontes, $16: 13.8% ABV, stainless,
fleshy flashy fresh wine, peach and apricot tones. Intensely aromatic.
Twist top.
-Andeluna Malbec Reserve 2005, $24: private order, red fruit, delicious
plums, 13.7%ABV. Soft tannins, 5% cabernet added.
*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Andeluna Malbec 2007, $16: entry level, softly jammy, good cab hit
from the 11% addition. Red fruit tones, some mocha, smooth. 350 cases
in Ontario.
-Andeluna Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, $16: 7% merlot and 8% Malbec added.
Black fruit, resto ready wine. Spice and oak tones in evidence. 350
cases in Ontario.
-Andeluna Malbec 2007, $16: entry level, softly jammy, good cab hit
from the 11% addition. Red fruit tones, some mocha, smooth. 350 cases
in Ontario.
-Andeluna Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, $16: 7% merlot and 8% Malbec added.
Black fruit, resto ready wine. Spice and oak tones in evidence. 350
cases in Ontario.
The Food: we had a charcuterie, prosciutto, olives, and cheese platter,
along with assorted breads and breadsticks. This was followed by an
excellent gnocchi (light as a feather).
The Downside: I had missed the July tasting, this was a make up.
The Upside: we were outdoors, and this was a good chance to taste the
wines one-on-one with Robert Tome, one of the partners.
The Contact Person: robert@stemwinegroup.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 93.
along with assorted breads and breadsticks. This was followed by an
excellent gnocchi (light as a feather).
The Downside: I had missed the July tasting, this was a make up.
The Upside: we were outdoors, and this was a good chance to taste the
wines one-on-one with Robert Tome, one of the partners.
The Contact Person: robert@stemwinegroup.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 93.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
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