Argentina Wine Tasting at Cafe Maxx

“A bottle of wine begs to be shared; I have never met a miserly wine lover”
Charles Baudelaire

Argentina is the fifth largest wine producer on the planet today but it was not until recently that the wines have been highly regarded by wine drinkers outside of Argentina. They consumed most of the wine produced here over the last few hundred years as the population of Argentina were also among the largest consumers of wine in the world.   It was not until the 1980’s when they started to look to export their wines as the population started drinking less wine and some people in other parts of the wine world started to notice the potential of the wines from areas like Mendoza and Patagonia.

Once superstar consultants like Michele Rolland from Bordeaux and Paul Hobbs from California started working with Argentina’s biggest names in the wine industry the wine drinking people outside of Argentina began to take notice of their wines.

Today, the wines of Argentina are on par with the best wines produced anywhere in the world. I have been touting the wines from this country for the last decade saying that “You can’t find a better value if you like Bordeaux varietals than Argentina.”  Malbec is the star here but the blends are the best wines to me and when you look at the top end of the quality range today these wines can also hang with the best made anywhere in the world.

These tastings at Cafe Maxx for $35 are the best value of any event that we do. Eight wines are pre-poured in order to allow them to open up. Master chef Oliver Saucy will be sending out a few small courses to accompany the wines.  These tastings are a great opportunity to get a taste of Cafe Maxx and an education in wine all at the same time.  The fee for the tasting in $35+ tax+ Gratuity for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Argentina Wine Tasting at Cafe Maxx
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
6:30 PM

Bodegas Salentein Chardonnay
Price: $18.50   Sale $16.28     Case $189

Complex aroma with notes of spring white flowers, citrus and tropical fruit.  In the mouth, its entry is gentle. It is a sweet and unctuous wine in the middle mouth with a long and persistent finish.   Its natural acidity makes it a fresh wine, while the contact with the lees as well as its oak ageing grant it elegance and unctuousness.

2014 Bodega Chacra Barda Pinot Noir Patagonia Argentina
Price: $29.75
Smooth with dusty berry, plum, caramel and spice aromas and flavors, this Pinot Noir culminates in a composed and satisfying finish.

2012 Alta Vista Malbec Terroir Select Mendoza
List Price: $26.25
Terroir Selection Malbec is made from a blend of five vineyards in Lujan de Cujo and Valle de Uco, each bringing different characteristics to the wine. Lujan de Cujo contributes elements of ripe, mouth filling fruit that is very long on the palate, while Valle de Uco supplies strength and young, primary fruit aromas and roundness in the mouth. Terroir Selection Malbec is aged in French oak barrels (new, one- and two-year old) for 12 months and in bottle for 6 months.

2015 Pulenta Estate Chardonnay VIII
List Price: $15.00        Sale $13.20     Case $161
Lemon and green apple fruit with a flinty mineral note to the nose hints of lightly toasted oak spice, vanilla bean spice, nutmeg. A very rich and creamy wine on the tongue with a very plush wine with a nice touch of spice, vanilla and cinnamon, a firm hand of acidity, very well built, this wine should last for 3-5 years at least very well balanced. Finish 40+ Excellent +

2012 Pulenta Estate Gran Corte Red Mendoza
Price: $45.00   Sale $39.60     Case $459

A blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Tannat, only 1500 cases produced.  A big bouquet of dark berry fruit, mocha, toasty oak spice, dark cherry liqueur and dark chocolate, very rich and lots of richness but still elegant.  A very rich and chewy wine with a good amount of dark spices, coco and sweet tobacco with dark earth, intense minerality and more, big but still quite balanced through the finish, this wine has excellent structure and depth, even better on the second day, this wine should age for a decade or more in your cellar.  Finish 50+                Most Excellent +

 2015 El Porvenir Tannat Amauta Absoluto Cafayate    
Price: $17.00   Sale $14.98     Case $174

A big and grapey bouquet here almost like welches jam, fermentation in large oak with some pretty floral notes and dark fig.  Big and sweet almost candied with smooth tannins for a tannat but still a bit out of balance with the jammy fig newton like fruit.  Finish 35+        Good

2013 Bodega Renacer Enamore Mendoza
Price: $25.50    Sale $22.44    Case $261

An exciting, innovative wine produced from a blend of Malbec, Syrah, Bonarda and Cabernet Franc uniquely dried and vinified in the Amarone style. A truly unique joint production between Allegrini (renowned Italian producer of Amarone) and Bodega Renacer. The grapes that produce Enamore are sourced from 50+ years old vines located in three distinct high-altitude vineyards from the Mendoza region in Argentina. The grapes are dried on the vines (appassimento), until they loose 1/3 of their weight. After a prolonged fermentation (both alcoholic and malolactic) the wine is aged in new French barriques for 12 months.

Dark ruby red in color, Enamore offers supple aromas of ripe berries, raisin, and plums. Sensual notes of exotic spices, charcoal and chocolate are seamlessly layered with the fruit. Full bodied, rich and complex, with a long finish beautifully framed by fine-grained tannins. This is a very special wine that will surprise many wine lovers.

These tastings at Cafe Maxx for $35 are the best value of any event that we do. Eight wines are pre-poured in order to allow them to open up. Master chef Oliver Saucy will be sending out a few small courses to accompany the wines.  These tastings are a great opportunity to get a taste of Cafe Maxx and an education in wine all at the same time.  The fee for the tasting in $35+ tax+ Gratuity for reservations call 954-523-9463.