Inspired Values from Value Cab to 100-Point Collectibles: New Releases from South America

Value Cabs, 100-Pointers, Striking Pinots, and Classic Malbecs... Monday Aug 27th, 2018 [View in Browser]( [KL-emailheader.gif]( It should be no surprise that our two best-selling wines in the past three years have been value Cabs that punch way above their price points and have our customers coming back for more. And as we keep tasting one brilliant example after another, it's less and less of a surprise to learn that these gems are from South America. Take a look at the examples below - Aquitania, Los Boldos, and Lapostolle's Cuvee Alexandre - and you'll find more category-defying values that would be considerably more expensive if they were made in Bordeaux or Napa. Value Cabernet is just the start. If Pinot Noir is your thing, under $15 for Montes Alpha's 2015 is about as far as your money goes with this cherished varietal. Perhaps your Burgundian palate prefers Chardonnay? Ritual has you covered with a highly acclaimed and refined bottling. Don't forget Malbec - the often-overlooked varietal is seeing a renaissance with terroir-driven, deftly crafted versions that have little in common with yesteryear's Malbec (excepting perhaps the pricing, which is still amazingly sharp for what's in the bottle!). For those looking to lay down a bottle or two, 100-point Bordeaux blends for under $120 are few and far between. But Clos Apalta and Almaviva have crafted masterpieces from their most recent releases and both are now available in stock. All said, these are expectation-defying wines that demand the attention of any generation of wine lovers. [Check Out These Wines and More on Our Electronic Newsletter]( Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2015 Aquitania Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 91 $14.99 [View]( 2015 Catena DV "Tinto Histórico" Mendoza 93 $14.99 [View]( 2015 Montes Alpha Pinot Noir Aconcagua Coast 91 $14.99 [View]( 2015 Chateau Los Boldos "Grande Reserve" Cachapoal Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 95 $15.99 [View]( 2013 Casa Lapostolle "Cuvee Alexandre" Cabernet Sauvignon Apalta Vineyard (Elsewhere $25) 94 $16.99 [View]( 2016 Kaiken "Ultra" Malbec Mendoza Las Rocas 94 $17.99 [View]( 2015 Ritual Chardonnay Casablanca Valley 93 $17.99 [View]( 2016 Arboleda Pinot Noir Aconcagua Costa 95 $19.99 [View]( 2015 Casarena "Owen's Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 94 $24.99 [View]( 2015 Zorzal Eggo "Tinto de Tiza" Mendoza 94 $24.99 [View]( 2014 Casa Lapostolle "Clos Apalta" Red Blend Colchagua Valley 100 $114.99 [View]( 2015 Viña Almaviva "Almaviva" Bordeaux Blend Puente Alto 100 $119.99 [View]( [2015 Aquitania Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley]( [2015 Aquitania Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley]( ($14.99) 91 points James Suckling: "A juicy and fruity wine with blackberry, plum and ripe fruit. Full body, round and velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Fruit-forward style." (05/2017) 90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The volume of the winery corresponds to the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, which in some countries is also labeled as "Reserva" but is the same wine. This is a light, ruby-colored style that, according to Ghislain de Gondolfier, has exactly the taste they want, with a light earthy touch and a little more austere than the majority of new world Cabernet Sauvignon. Of course, this wine had always had the input of Paul Pontallier from Bordeaux. What I like here is that this has very good freshness and a kind of brightness of fruit, red rather than black. It's soft and balanced, with very fine tannins. In reality this contains some 10% Syrah, which adds length and mouthfeel. You can bite into it. Affordable, elegant and powerful. It's very good. (LG)" (04/2017) [kirkw.jpg]( Walker]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 28, 2018 Alto Maipo might be the bridge that connects the structure, presence and poise of left bank of Bordeaux to the ripe and pure fruit of the West coast of the Americas. I can smell and taste that connection, I will let the physcist try to explain how this particular is made and maintained, (and don't cop out with Bordeaux train French enologist and that the vineyards are in Chile, that is not fun and too easy!) This has ripe high-toned red Cabernet fruit, think Pauillac or Spring Mountain, and a savory mountain scrub/herbal note. The wine is dry, French dry not CA dry with a slight edginess to the tannins but with a nice finish for red fruit and dusty earthy tannins. This is dinner wine, not a cocktail wine, and it requires 30 mins or more in a decanter to really open up and show you what it is all about. A good wine, a great bridge from the new world to the old. [Stefanie-Juelsgaard.jpg]( Juelsgaard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 20, 2018 I find this wine to be a great middle ground between the richer, softer Cabs of California and the savory, structured ones of Bordeaux. The bright fruit notes really stand out in this Cabernet and the accompaniment of some herbal and gravely notes balance it out beautifully. It doesn't exhibit too much heft, instead tending toward the easy drinking, juicy red fruit style. Super tasty and an easy choice for the price. [joemanekin.gif]( Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 06, 2018 Alto Maipo, the highly coveted portion of Chile's most important Cabernet growing region, is generally a source of fruit for Cabs that retail for upwards of $30, often times going for multiples of that price point. There is definitely something to be said for the alluvial, gravelly soil and relatively higher elevation that this sub-zone is famous for; it makes wonderful Cabernet. The Aquitania has delicious fruit expression, though what stands out most for me are actually the aromatics, red fruited and rather subtly leafy, with hints of black currant as well. Coupled with an elegant and persistent palate, this is what well made Cabernet based wine is all about. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Catena DV "Tinto Histórico" Mendoza]( [2015 Catena DV "Tinto Histórico" Mendoza]( ($14.99) 93 points James Suckling: "Aromas of mushroom, dark fruit. Hints of dark chocolate. Full and lightly chewy with a lovely texture and a ripe fruit finish. Juicy and delicious. I like the tea and bark at the finish." (06/2017) 91 points Decanter: "Classy and gently perfumed with aromas of plums, blackberries, cherries, sweet spices and flowers. Excellent fruit concentration with ripe tannins and savoury flavours." (05/2017) K&L Notes: Domingo Vicente Catena, father of Nicolas and grandfather of Laura Catena, originally created this iconic blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Petit Verdot, selling it to the best restaurants in Buenos Aires in the 1930s and '40s. This is an honest, authentic re-imagining of a blend that highlights Malbec's delicious fruit, with Bonarda's slightly rustic brawn and Petite Verdot's color and acidity. An authentic Argentinian blend, originally crafted for locals and now available to us. [Chantel Carroll]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 17, 2018 I spent most of my career in the restaurant industry and sold a ton of Catena. My impression was that the wines were easy drinking and middle of the road. However that is not longer my opinion. I'm super excited and really impressed that they are really honing in on these smaller appellations, and making wines with so much character, and concentrating on the terroir. This blend is a tribute to Don Domingo Vicente Catena, who made this style popular in the 1930's. This was the blend he would sell to the upscale French Bistros, in Buenos Aires. This is a blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Petit Verdot. Delicious and classic [kirkw.jpg]( Walker]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 29, 2018 I am really enjoying what Catena is doing right now. I am totally fired up with the appellation releases that they have done. I think that the time is right for us in the US, and elsewhere, to really dig into the dirt of Mendoza, and Catena is giving us a master class at a really affordable price. While this wine is not digging into the soils of Mendoza it is looking at the roots of the industry. Bonarda and Malbec were and are the pillars that Argentine wines stand on. It is delightful to see them blended together like they used to be. There is a real synergy here. The aromas are heavy but lifted with dark fruits, a floral note, and a savory almost grilled meat tone. The palate is rich but not heavy build around pleasantly aggressive tannins and more of that dark, pretty fruit. A hearty yet friendly wine that is easily enjoyed by itself but it really wants you to have something rich and meaty so it can help you wash it down. [joemanekin.gif]( Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 29, 2018 If Buenos Aires is the "Paris of South America," then it follows that Argentina would be France, which - at least in terms of their high per capita consumption of wine - is pretty spot on! Catena's Tinto Historico is a nod to the Argentinian population's love of red wine, and a particular style of red blend that consisted of some Malbec, for sure, but was also significant for its use of Bonarda, Argentina's original red grape of preference. The resulting wine is a bit more savory and brawny, drier as well, with less noticeable oak spice than many Malbecs at this price point. And, it is delicious. For a suggestion of what Catena's wines once tasted like, and a feel for the style of everyday red that is still wildly popular in Argentina, you cannot do better than Catena's tinto histórico. Serve in a decanter or carafe, with lots of company and good food, for maximum efecto argentino! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Montes Alpha Pinot Noir Aconcagua Coast]( [2015 Montes Alpha Pinot Noir Aconcagua Coast]( ($14.99) 91 points James Suckling: "A tangy and fresh wine with dried strawberry and hints of smoke. Medium to full body, round tannins and a fresh finish. A pretty pinot with plenty of texture and flavor." (05/2017) Vinous: "Vivid red. Musky red berries, cherry pit, dried flowers and succulent herbs on the nose. Smooth and gently sweet, offering raspberry and cherry flavors complemented by a touch of spiciness that builds with air. Silky and easy-going; the herb note echoes on the nicely persistent, subtly tannic finish. (JR)" (02/2017) [kajstromer.jpg]( Stromer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 18, 2018 Beautiful aromatics of fresh strawberries and red cherries fill the glass. Hints of rose petals follow adding a subtle floral note. The wine is medium weight on the palate with fresh ripe berry character. Additionally, the wine reveals hints of forest floor and wood spice adding additional levels of complexity. This wine seems a hypothetical cross between Russian River Valley and Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Im amazed at the level of quality of this wine. Ive been a fan of the Montes Alpha wines for quite some time and their popularity is well deserved. Such high quality Pinot Noir at this price point is nearly impossible to match. [gregstclair.gif]( St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2018 The nose is full of a creamy, sweetness that reminds me of a cherry/plum cobbler. On the palate the wine is lush, round and rolls across your palate while still showing good acidity. There, besides its rich fruit character it begins to show signs of a savory, stemmy complexity that adds a plus to the fruit. The finish is easy, balanced but for me this wine seems to be more of a cocktail pinot, nothing wrong with that it just seems really easy to drink out of a glass and one wouldnt need a fork for assistance. [Stefanie-Juelsgaard.jpg]( Juelsgaard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2018 Fans of the New-World style of Pinot will undoubtedly love this one. This wine shows lovely dark fruit and a fresh palate. I expected the rich fruit to be accompanied by a softer, fatter mouthfeel, but there is a lot of lift and life here. California Pinot lovers who are getting tired of the ever increasing prices will be ecstatic to come across this deal. [joemanekin.gif]( Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2018 Chile continues to make great strides with their Pinot Noirs. Having tasted them for over a decade, it's enlightening to see all the progress that has been made, involving everything from vineyard sites, to ideal harvest times, cooperage choices and other winemaking decisions. The 2015 Montes Pinot, sourced from the coastal portion of Aconcagua not too far from the twin coastal cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, shows tasty dark cherry fruits, nicely weighted, with a clean, foresty and subtly savory side. Very well made PN for under $17! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Chateau Los Boldos "Grande Reserve" Cachapoal Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2015 Chateau Los Boldos "Grande Reserve" Cachapoal Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($15.99) 95 points Decanter: "2017 Decanter Gold Medal Winner World Wine Awards. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting notes: Liquorice and baked cherries notes with some salty feel. Fresh and elegant cassis, spearmint and black fruit palate. Smart and polished Cabernet Sauvignon. People will like it!" (07/2017) 92 points James Suckling: "A juicy and fruity wine with plum and sweet tobacco character. Medium to full body, ripe and flavorful with a lovely balance of flower and cedar. Needs a year or two to soften." (05/2017) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Polished and rich-tasting, with dark plum, cherry tart and chocolate mousse flavors that are well-proportioned. Medium-grained tannins show on the finish, with dried blackberry and green olive notes. (KM)" (07/2017) [kirkw.jpg]( Walker]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 02, 2018 A charming bright Cabernet nose with lifted red berries and a wisp of leather and earth. It is medium bodied with slightly darker fruits than the nose would suggest. It has sneaky tannins that are polished and is lightly oaked. This is an everyday cab that is not simple and very charming. [gregstclair.gif]( St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 02, 2018 The nose is full of green olive, barrel spice and cassis, it gives one the sense of a powerful statement. On the palate I was surprised by the wines' balance, it has richness but excellent lift and focus with just a hint of tannins. The finish is classic Cabernet leaving a lasting flavor reemphasizing the cassis and barrel spice, quite a Chilean value. [alexp.gif]( Pross]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: January 02, 2018 I love this wine! It has everything I look for: depth, precision, balance, complexity and most importantly it tastes really good. Chile is one of the many regions around the world where you get great bang for your buck and the 2015 Chateau Los Boldos Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect example. A suave nose of mint, earth and dried herbs deftly gives way to a palate that just oozes gorgeous dark berry fruit, spice, subtle mocha notes and a touch of earth and herbs. This is a wonderful, food friendly Cabernet Sauvignon that totally over delivers given its modest price. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Casa Lapostolle "Cuvee Alexandre" Cabernet Sauvignon Apalta Vineyard (Elsewhere $25)]( [2013 Casa Lapostolle "Cuvee Alexandre" Cabernet Sauvignon Apalta Vineyard (Elsewhere $25)]( ($16.99) 94 points James Suckling: "Deep and dense yet agile and fine. Full body, blueberry and black currant character, and a seamless silky finish. Gorgeous pure cabernet sauvignon. Biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold." (05/2016) 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Dark spice, rubber, tree bark and herbal black-fruit aromas are congruent. This big tough tannic Cabernet is layered but hard as nails. Flavors of black fruits, chocolate, fig and dark spices finish with toughness and charred oak. Drink through 2024. (MS)" (03/2017) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Offers mouthfilling richness, with sinewy and concentrated flavors of dried cherry, mint and raspberry, featuring green olive notes. Minerally finish. Drink now through 2018. (KM)" (05/2016) K&L Notes: Casa Lapostolle, famous for their highly collectible Clos Apalta bottling, also makes a range of varietal wines, this one from their dry farmed, Colchagua Valley Clos Apalta Vineyard, whose average vine age is 60 years old. [andrewwhiteley.gif]( Whiteley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 13, 2018 Getting great old vine Cabernet from Chile is difficult to find. Much like California, a lot of Cab gets ripped up after 30 or 40 years when yields begin to drop. Not for Lapostolle! They are making this wine from 60 year old vines which offer immense concentration and power. Even more incredible than their foresight to keep this vineyard intact, is the fact that they can offer this wine for such a low price! [gregstclair.gif]( St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 13, 2018 The nose reminds me of old Sonoma Valley Cab, lots of green olive and tomato leaf coupled with sweet cassis. On the palate the wine is supple, round and super easy to drink, but still you can tell the fruit is old vine because it has wonderfully balanced acidity that keeps it fresh on the palate. The finish replays the olive and cassis balanced by the acidity. Id try this with a spicy Tri-Tip. [Stefanie-Juelsgaard.jpg]( Juelsgaard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 12, 2018 Old vines are a rare find in Chile, which makes the wines that come form them all the more special. The 60+ year old vines used here impart fantastic concentration, deep fruit, and nice crunchiness to the wine. A classic Cabernet Sauvignon nose with a fresh and expressive palate. The French oak adds a nice rounded edge and tames the tannins, while adding a little backbone of richness. What a great find from a phenomenal producer. [joemanekin.gif]( Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 24, 2018 Casa Lapostolle is most famous for their Clos Apalta, a wine which has been selected #1 wine of the year in Wine Spectator and is a rich, dark fruited collectible that sells for over $100 per bottle. While this varietal Cabernet is not the same Cab that goes into that blend, it is from the same neck of the woods, on the Apalta Vineyard, in Chile's Colchagua Valley. Spicy cherry confiture, sweet oak spices and dark chocolate aromas are all well balanced. Given the cooler vintage, the palate profile is nicely ripe, with a stylish, , spicy profile, well framed by the tannins. For a few bucks under $20, this is an impeccably well produced Cabernet that deservedly has a number of loyal fans. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Kaiken "Ultra" Malbec Mendoza Las Rocas]( [2016 Kaiken "Ultra" Malbec Mendoza Las Rocas]( ($17.99) 94 points James Suckling: "A soft and round-textured red with stones and blackberries. Full body, subtle chocolate and berry character and hazelnut undertones. Turns rich on the finish. A blend of top vineyards." (05/2018) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Ultra Malbec is heady, ripe and faintly oaky, defining the house style in an approachable entry-level red. (LG)" (06/2018) K&L Notes: Aurelio Montes, founder and winemaker of Chile's renowned Montes winery, established Kaiken after falling in love with Argentina's terrior-driven wines. The winery is named after the Kaiken (Caiquén), a wild goose from Patagonia that flies across the Andres between Argentina and Chile. Just like the Kaiken, Aurelio made several trips across the mountain range until, in 2001, he was able to secure an old winery built in the 1920's. Along with the historic winery, he secured several very important vineyard sites. Today, the combination of Chilean winemakers and phenomenal estate locations in Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo, and Valle de Uco help produce exceptional Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. [ryanwoodhouse.gif]( Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 21, 2018 Loaded with gobs of purple fruit, plum, cassis, blackcurrant all wrapped up in exotic spice and mocha oak tones. Explosive and hedonistic but with enough acidity and structure to keep it from going over the top. A remarkable value given the obvious quality of fruit and oak. A modern, flashy expression that is sure to make a lot of friends especially at this sharp price point. [keithmabry.gif]( Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 20, 2018 "Ultra" is right. This is pure juicy Malbec with gorgeous black currant, plum and raspberry fruit. Almost bordering on hedonistic, the polished sweet tannins frame this wine making accentuating the chocolate-y tones. This is the perfect compliment to any Asado (Argentine BBQ) or just classic American fare. My new go-to steak wine. [gregstclair.gif]( St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 19, 2018 The nose of this wine is full of a dusky plum character with some cassis while showing bits of barrel spice. On the palate the wine is aptly named, it is an ultra lush, full bodied wine however it never shows an over ripeness its just a really rich wine. Highly polished displaying hints of vanilla and toffee show the quality cooperage is not an accident. Powerful and a whole lot of wine for your money. [kajstromer.jpg]( Stromer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 19, 2018 Malbec fever swept the nation several years ago. Its robust nature and smooth texture made it a natural fan favorite. Over time, the fever may have tempered slightly but in the right hands, like the legendary Montes family, the argument for Malbec is strong. Precise wine making along with premium Mendoza vineyards combine to make the stunning Ultra Malbec from Kaiken. I was most impressed by its suave and balanced nature. The wines pedigree is revealed by red and black fruits along with a dusting of distant oak and a hint of cocoa. Together they belie the exceptionally low price point. This has a tremendous quality-to-price ratio and is just a delicious, versatile wine. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Ritual Chardonnay Casablanca Valley]( [2015 Ritual Chardonnay Casablanca Valley]( ($17.99) 93 points James Suckling: "A bright and stoney chardonnay with clarity and beauty. Full body, bright and tangy acidity with lime and green pineapple character. Vertical tension to this. Long and flavorful finish. Drink now." (05/2016) Vinous: "Light, bright yellow. Aromas of fresh pear and orange pith, accompanied by a quinine accent in the background. Chewy and a touch dry on the palate, offering biter pear skin and citrus pith flavors and a subtle honeysuckle note. Finishes taut and nervy, displaying repeating citrus fruit character. (JR)" (02/2017) K&L Notes: Located in Chile's Casablanca Valley, not too far from the cold Pacific influence (spring frost is a frequent risk in this region), Veramonte is moving from strength to strength, not only with their terrific Sauvignon Blanc and reliably delicious Pinot Noir bottlings, but with their Chardonnay as well. All of Veramonte's holdings in Casablanca valley are planted to various types of granite and decomposed granite soils, which contribute freshness to their wines. [joemanekin.gif]( Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 12, 2018 I was seriously smitten by this humble, sub $18 Chardonnay, so much so that I thought we should probably email you about it; it might be the best Chardonnay for under $18 which I have tasted this year. This delicious Chardonnay is the result of a beautiful, coastal terroir, featuring lots of decomposed granite, some heirloom Wente clones originally planted 25+ years ago, and a winemaker in Rodrigo Soto who studied how to make Chardonnay with none other than David Ramey. There is a bright, rich, mouth filling, palate of citrus and stone fruit, with explosive acidity, along with the perfect combination of texture and freshness, which I associate with Wente clone Chard. Compare this Chardonnay to pricier ones from more expensive real estate (Sonoma county and Burgundy, for example) and prepare to be very pleasantly surprised! [kajstromer.jpg]( Stromer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 03, 2018 Local hero and winemaker Rodrigo Soto is backed up by legendary winemaker Paul Hobbs. Together the two have access to some amazing vineyards. The grapes are organically grown and and harvested with minimal intervention allowing the fruit to come into the winery as naturally as possible. Fermentation is done using only native yeasts. The result is a sexy spiced apple aromatic that invites the taster into this best-buy Chardonnay. The wine has green apple and hazelnut notes with a hint of oak and vanilla. Really quite a pleasant glass of wine. [Stefanie-Juelsgaard.jpg]( Juelsgaard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 26, 2018 Now this is a wine for California chardonnay lovers. There is nice richness and depth here with nice weight and a creamy texture. The body is not overwhelming though, with nice vibrancy to lift it up. There is a touch of oak, which is evident here, but that adds another great layer and envelops the fruit. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Arboleda Pinot Noir Aconcagua Costa]( [2016 Arboleda Pinot Noir Aconcagua Costa]( ($19.99) 95 points Decanter: "Sweet raspberry aromas and a floral touch. Freshness on the palate with ripe cherries, young and sappy but with the savoury-sweet balance spot on. Great concentration, elegant wine." (08/2017) 93 points James Suckling: "This is a very special Arboleda with lifted nose of flower, strawberry and iodine. Moss. Medium body, lively finish. Love the finish. Lightly decadent. Beautiful." (05/2017) 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The same as the Chardonnay, 2016 Pinot Noir Aconcagua Costa was produced with fruit grown from two specific plots from their vineyards at 12 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak for 11 months (only 10% new). It has a nice nose mixing spices, sour cherries and a touch of earth and forest floor, even though the wine is so evidently young. The palate is very tasty and juicy, with super fine tannins and a remarkable, long finish. (LG)" (04/2017) [gregstclair.gif]( St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2018 This wine has a classic, restrained pinot noir nose, a complex blend of savoriness and ripe cherry. On the palate the wine shows bright and clean with wild cherries and then begins to show bits of earth, leather and a more savory component. The finish is focused, framed by a gentle tannic structure it gives the wine a path on the palate. I can see myself drinking this wine with a country pate and Gouda cheese. [gary.gif]( Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2018 This excellent Pinot Noir from Arboleda just proved to me that sometimes you can have it all at a reasonable price. Not only does it have generous, open knit, brambly red fruit, it also has savor and complexity. I can't remember trying much Pinot that comes in at this price that has this kind of intrigue and depth, and I can't wait to try it with some lamb chops at home. I can count the number of Aconcagua Costa bottlings I have tried on my fingers, but now I will be seeking them out! [Stefanie-Juelsgaard.jpg]( Juelsgaard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2018 This is a truly unique and interesting wine coming out of Aconcagua. It is packed with flavor which leans more toward the herbal and savory side, though the fruit is not lacking, it just isn't overwhelming. The use of only 10% new oak is spot on to soften and smooth the body, without covering up the delicate flavors with woodiness. I love the spice character because it manages to be powerful and elegant simultaneously. [joemanekin.gif]( Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2018 Next level Pinot Noir need not: a.) come from CA b.) come from Burgundy or c.) cost $30 or more. In this case, we have a beautiful, high toned, red fruited, varietally true example from coastal Chile (12 km from the Pacific). I love this wine for its freshness, its linear quality and surprising length on the finish. Professional critics seem to be on the same page with this wine, though unfortunately we only received about one-third of the amount we attempted to order, so this Pinot deal is not likely to be long for this world. That said, we still wanted to spread the news about this delicious, highly recommended sub $20 Pinot from Arboleda. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Casarena "Owen's Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza]( [2015 Casarena "Owen's Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza]( ($24.99) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Tasted side by side with the 2014, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Owen's Vineyard feels a lot fresher. This is an old, balanced, traditional vineyard that yields wines with very good depth and natural balance. There is perfect ripeness here and a notable absence of those green pepper aromas that often mask the personality of many Cabernets. These old vines yield very concentrated juice and it shows in the tannins and acidity, which show in perfect harmony. (LG)" (12/2016) 93 points Wine & Spirits: "Grown in the heat of the Luján de Cuyo DO, Agrelos Cabernets tend to be juicy, with soft tannins, and, at their best, have good acidity to give them energy. Casarenas top Cabernet, from 90-year-old vines, shares that style, its sweet fruit gaining seductive complexity from notes of herbs and flowers. Accessible now if poured with something as meaty as braised short ribs, it has a long life ahead." (06/2018) [joemanekin.gif]( Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 13, 2018 Here's a little known secret, even amongst Cab lovers: Argentina has some really good stuff. While we have talked up the $10-$15 values, there are some fantastic overachieving examples in the $20-$40 range. Take the Owen's Vineyard, for example, whose Lujan de Cuyo (old vine capital of Mendoza) fruit yields this supple, elegantly fruited Cabernet. Perusing my colleagues' reviews, there are no shortage of mentions of "old school Sonoma valley,"old school Napa," and the like. While it makes for delicious drinking, now, this should age well over a 6-8 year window. [andrewwhiteley.gif]( Whiteley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 08, 2018 Elegant Cabernet and Argentina don't tend to go together in my mind. I've loved many a cab from South America, but generally I have an expectation that they will be robustly fruity, full of oak, and perhaps a touch sweet. Nay. This is a bottle to reach for when looking to find full fruit mixed with the elegance and nuance that you used to find across much of California, but now requires some hunting. It is savory and herbaceous, but still alive and sweetly fruited. There aren't many places in the world where you can find cab from nearly 100 year old vines in the sub $100 price range, let alone in the sub $30 zone. This is an amazing deal for an extraordinary wine. [gregstclair.gif]( St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 08, 2018 The nose of this wine is full of green olive, herbs and swirls of cassis and camphor, and it reminds me a bit of the nose of Carmenere. I feel a bit taken back to the old Sonoma valley cabernet sauvignon of my youth, spicy, gamey, and vibrant, more herbaceous than fruity, I loved those wines. On the palate this wine is supple, round and still framed by some evident tannin that hold the center together. The finish brings out more of the camphor and adds a bit of menthol while replaying the green olive and cassis. Excellent wine! Id suggest a spicy, dry-rubbed Tri-Tip grilled to rare. [gary.gif]( Westby]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 07, 2018 What an outstanding bottle of Cabernet! Tasting this transported me back to my first days in the wine business, more than two decades ago, tasting the old fashioned greats of Napa. The cool cassis fruit, the hints of olive and the concentration that comes naturally from the sun, rather than from extraction, made me think of the Heitz and Montelena bottles of the old days. If you like to have your Cabernet with food, and love the old school style, this is a must, especially at this great price! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Zorzal Eggo "Tinto de Tiza" Mendoza]( [2015 Zorzal Eggo "Tinto de Tiza" Mendoza]( ($24.99) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The one blend in the Eggo range is the 2015 Eggo Tinto de Tiza, which mixes Malbec with 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented in 2,000-liter egg-shaped cement vats where the wine matured for almost one year. This feels quite complete and balanced, with good ripeness while keeping the balance and poise. The palate is juicy and fresh, with fine-grained tannins and a bittersweet finish akin to sour cherries. Very tasty and long. Super. Incredible for the price. 16,000 bottles were filled in January 2016. (LG)" (12/2016) 90 points Vinous: "Bright, dark red. Aromas of currant, black pepper, licorice and crushed stone, lifted by a violet nuance. Very suave and energetic, with strong chalky minerality currently keeping the wine's dark berry and violet flavors under wraps. But there's nothing hard about this persistent, smoothly tannic wine. Suave, light on its feet and sneaky-long, with utterly no edges. (ST)" (07/2018) K&L Notes: A blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this savory, serious, dry wine has terrific presence and intensity - not to mention structure - on the palate. Once again, the Michelini brothers have proven the power of the blend, aged in their beloved concrete eggs. Perhaps more than any other winery in Argentina right now, Zorzal is challenging the notion of what wines from that country can and should be, focusing on early picked fruit from highly calcerous parcels and then a simple regimen in the cellar to pursue balanced, food-friendly wines. [dulcineagonzalez.jpg]( Gonzalez]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 02, 2017 Black mountain fruit reigns supreme here, with an interesting hint of violet. Expressive, round and inviting, this wine was a total standout in a recent line-up of malbec's that KL staffers tasted through. Holding it's volume and weight extremely well, this wine delivers a robust yet fresh intensity that is pure and delicious. Make this your next BBQ pick! Super Recommended. [rachelvogel.jpg]( Vogel]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 10, 2017 Maybe those more worldly than I already knew that "Tinto de Tiza" means "red chalk," naming the wine after the influential soil type of the region. Nestled at the foot of the Tupungato Volcano in one of the highest elevation vineyard sites in Mendoza, this Argentinian Blend is solely influenced by it's terroir. While the vines are young, the high elevation, strong sun and cool temperatures creates a balanced wine with both striking acidity and structure. It is fermented and aged in a concrete egg (hence the Eggo), to more easily control temperature and keep the wine in constant movement to allow more complex character to form. That control allows the wine makers to skip the more artful wine making techniques that are usually used to add character to young grapes. The wine goes through a bit of malolactic fermentation for texture while the bold spice, deep black berry and fresh acidity really give you the true colors of the Uco Valley. [joemanekin.gif]( Manekin]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 31, 2017 A most serious Malbec based wine, this 2015 vintage is now in a Burgundy bottle, and the wine's reserve, structure, acidity and overall balance seem to have risen to the occasion and new bottle shape! As Gutierrez suggests, there is an initial austerity on the nose, though on the palate, the wild plums, subtle cured olive and meaty notes suggest very good quality northern Rhone Syrah. Spectacular value here in one of the driest, most structured and complex bottles of Argentinian Malbec we have yet to feature. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Casa Lapostolle "Clos Apalta" Red Blend Colchagua Valley]( [2014 Casa Lapostolle "Clos Apalta" Red Blend Colchagua Valley]( ($114.99) 100 points James Suckling: "An extremely aromatic and focused Clos Apalta with blackberry, blueberry, floral and hot stone character. Full body, very linear and ultra-fine tannins. Focused and tight. Precise and long. This is the most polished and beautiful definition of this wine ever. You want to drink it now but better in 2020. A blend of Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. *Ranked #5 on Top 100 of 2017*" (05/2017) 94 points Decanter: "A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Petit Verdot. It took just a few harvests before the Marnier Lapostolle family realised the potential of the Apalta terroir after founding its Colchagua winery in 1994. An excellent 1997 vintage led to a special bottling, and Clos Apalta was born. The grapes are sourced from two blocks of old Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1920 and 1940, along with Merlot planted on hillside vineyards from 1997. In 2005 Clos Apalta was given its own gravity-flow winery, with hand-destemming and fermentation in small French oak vats. In 2008, the Apalta vineyard was certified organic and in 2011 biodynamic. The philosophy is simple, says Charles de Bournet Marnier-Lapostolle: to make world-class wines using our French know-how of generations in wine and spirit production, together with the unique Chilean terroir. With cedar and liquorice spicy aromas, this supple-textured, richly concentrated red is fleshed out by powerful, cassis opulence framed by a reprise of polished French oak and supported by a muscular structure. Drinking Window 2018 - 2027. (AR)" (10/2017) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Viña Almaviva "Almaviva" Bordeaux Blend Puente Alto]( [2015 Viña Almaviva "Almaviva" Bordeaux Blend Puente Alto]( ($119.99) 100 points James Suckling: "A glorious and complex nose of tobacco, blackberries and hints of stones and flowers. Hints of bitter chocolate. Full-bodied, very tight and compacted. Linear backbone gives this form and tension. It has the same character on the palate as well as cayenne and other spice. Loved the 2014 but this shows more fine-grained tannins. So balanced and harmonious. A blend of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Needs four or five years in bottle but a joy to taste now. *Ranked #1 on Top 100 of 2017*" (05/2017) 96 points Decanter: "This latest release has 2% of Petit Verdot, adding a dash of dark pepper spice. It's a lovely wine, structured, intense but not tight, and beautifully balanced. There are some great liquorice and soft berry spice flavours, with notes of dark chocolate, cinnamon and sage. It has soft, smooth tannins which lend a supple texture to the wine. This gets better and better in the glass and has a freshness and grip that suggests great ageing potential. Drinking window 2020-2035. (JA)" (06/2017) 95 points Wine Spectator: "Powerful and rich, this is full of juicy dark plum, cherry tart and berry compote flavors that are creamy and lush. Hints of French roast and spice emerge midpalate, with a long finish that is elegant and savory. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. *Highly Recommended* (KM)" (05/2018) Jancis Robinson: "69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Tremendous richness and plushness to this. Excellent fruit intensity, which isn't just generic black fruit but has nuance and detail. Far more satisfying than plenty of Bordeaux 2015s! 17.5/20 points (RH)" (09/2017) --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on: Check Out Our Blog: [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [On the Trail (K&L Blog)]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Account]( | [Wine Clubs]( | [Events]( |[Gift Cards]( | [Accessories]( | [Shipping]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Missed an offer? 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