Susan Balbo Tasting at Cafe Maxx CRIOS and Benmarco

“There is truth in wine, but you never see it listed in the ingredients on the label” ― Josh Stern

Hey we know what's in wine- GRAPES!! And if you want to talk grapes with one of the brightest minds in the world of winemaking we have Susan Balbo here with us at Cafe Maxx Thursday, September 4th.

Susan has been making wine since she earned her enology degree in 1981, and she has probably produced a wider variety of wines than any other winemaker in Argentina.   She has made wine in Australia, California, Chile, France, Italy, South Africa, and Spain, and she spends a month each year in a different wine region of the world studying with local winemakers and growers.

Chef Oliver Saucy will be making a special five course tasting menu to accompany the wines.  We only have 26 seats available for this dinner and the cost is $95 + Tax + Gratuity, for reservations call 954-782-0606.

Susan Balbo  Winemaker Dinner at Cafe Maxx 

Thursday September 4th

7pm

ReceptionLobster and citrus saladFennel seared sea scallop with lemon aioliQueso fresco philo triangles

Crios Torrontes Cafayate 2012

Price: $ 15.00      Sale $13.20          Case $153.00

(90 Points)  "Pale green-tinged yellow. Peach and soft citrus aromas are accented by a touch of spice. Rich, chewy, complex and dry, showing an almost oily texture to the flavors of yellow peach, pineapple, pear and anise lifted by flowers. Offers a terrific combination of chewy texture and inner-mouth energy. Finishes sappy, saline and long, with excellent grip. This has the umami texture to complement sushi and sashimi. This bottling is consistently excellent--and a top value."  Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2014

First courseDay cured duck breast Carpaccio, mixed berry and endive-kale slaw, opal basil and chive confetti with crumbled blue cheese and walnut raisin crostini

Benmarco Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Price: $19.25       Sale $16.94          Case $197

A blend of 5% Cabernet Franc., 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot.  The vineyards here are from Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo); Tupungato (Uco Valley); Altamira (San Carlos).

(89 Points)  "Musky aromas of currant, plum, tobacco, roast coffee and smoky oak, plus a hint of herbs. Shows a glyceral texture but also a firm acid spine to its nicely perfumed red and darker berry flavors accented by spices and herbs. Finishes with firm, ripe, dusty tannins and very good grip and length."   Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2014

Benmarco Malbec 2013

Price: $ 19.25      Sale $16.94          Case $197

A blend of 5% Bonarda and 95% Malbec, from vineyards located in Alto Agrelo, Anchoris, Ugarteche (Lujan de Cuyo); Altamira, Gualtallary (Uco Valley)

(90 Points)   "Slightly roasted blackberry, espresso and licorice on the nose, along with a peppery accent. Intensely flavored and nicely dense, showing noteworthy refinement to its dark berry and black cherry flavors. A touch deeper than the Cabernet, finishing with serious tannins that spread out to dust the palate." Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2014

Benmarco Expresivo 2011

Price: $33.75       Sale $29.70          Case $345

A blend of 50% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 10% Tannat, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Bonarda.  From vineyards located San Pablo (Tunuyan), Gualtallary (Tupungato), Agrelo & Ugarteche (Luján de Cuyo), Eugenio Busto (San Carlos)

(91 Points)   "Vibrant aromas of black cherry, exotic spices, licorice and vanillin oak. Concentrated and high-pitched, with brisk acidity giving shape and definition to the lively flavors of blackberry, violet, cocoa powder, and licorice. Has the suave yet serious tannic structure to support a graceful evolution in bottle."  Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2014

Second course

Plum and currant glazed skirt steak, toasted pistachio risotto, red wine macerated & grilled plums with roasted late summer squash

Susan Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2012

Price: $24.75       Sale $21.78          Case $253

A blend of  90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec from vineyards located in Agrelo & Alto Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), Altamira (San Carlos), Gualtallary, (Tupungato), Vista Flores (Tunuyan)

(90 Points)  "Aromas of currant, tobacco leaf, espresso and bitter chocolate. Juicy, spicy and penetrating, if a bit youthfully imploded today; not a fleshy or sweet style but boasts very good spine and thrust. Finishes classically dry, with lingering notes of cherry, raspberry and nutty oak." Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2014

Susan Balbo Malbec Mendoza 2011

Price: $ 24.75      Sale $21.78          Case $253

A blend of 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 92% Malbec.  A blend of fruit from Alto Agrelo, Ugarteche, Vistalba (Luján de Cuyo); Altamira, San Pablo (Uco Valley).

(91 Points)  "Bright ruby-red. Sexy aromas of blackberry, huckleberry, violet, mocha and nutty oak. Suaver and sweeter than the Signature cabernet, with juicy, fruit-driven black plum, blackberry and violet flavors framed by harmonious acidity. Boasts excellent precision and inner-mouth tension for a wine in this price range. Finishes with a firm tannic spine, sneaky length and a hint of minty lift." Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2014

Dinner course

Grill roasted rib eye of elk, green peppercorn crusted with fingerling potato, juniper red wine sauce and wilted fennel and leek medley

Susan Balbo Brioso Mendoza 2009

Price: $43.50       Sale $38.28          Case $444

A blend of 10% Cabernet Franc, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 20% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.  Produced from vineyards located in Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), Los Arboles (Tunuyán), San Pablo (Tupungato), Altamira (San Carlos).

(93 Points)  "Strongly oaky aromas of cassis, cocoa powder, violet and spices. Very concentrated and sweet but with insidious juicy, salty minerality and firm acidity giving shape and lift to the sexy flavors of blackberry, violet, pepper and spicy oak. Densely packed but not at all bitter or overextracted. Finishes sappy, seamless and very long, with substantial tongue-dusting tannins and enough acidity to buffer its slight sweetness and give lift to the aftertaste."  Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2014

Dessert Course

White peach and strawberry bar with vanilla-honey crème fraiche

Red wine cherry chocolate truffle and crumbled cinnamon almond brittle

Susan Balbo Late Harvest Torrente 2010

Price: $26.75       Sale $23.54          Case $273

(92 Points)  "Come-hither aromas of white peach, lemon drop, orange blossom, jasmine, flowers and spices; reminded me a bit of Muscat d'Alexandria on the nose. Sweet, creamy and concentrated, with strong stone fruit flavors complicated by saline and honey notes."  Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2012

Susan Balbo Late Harvest Malbec 2010

Price: $26.75       Sale $23.54          Case $273

This sweet wine is lush and brimming with rich blackberry pie and plum flavors, with a touch of violets and spice cake. At 14.8% alcohol and 72 grams/liter of residual sugar, it is the perfect after dinner wine and maybe one of the few dessert wines that truly goes well with chocolate.

A bit about Susan Balbo

Known to many as the "Queen of Torrontes" or the "Evita of Wine", one thing is certain: Susana Balbo is reputed throughout Argentina and the world for her incredible winemaking skill, experience, and passion.

Susana has been making wine since she earned her enology degree in 1981, and she has probably produced a wider variety of wines than any other winemaker in Argentina. She has made wine in Australia, California, Chile, France, Italy, South Africa, and Spain, and she spends a month each year in a different wine region of the world studying with local winemakers and growers.

Susana's Signature wines are the ultimate expression of her skill and artistry. Top barrel selections from her overall production are complex and powerful, yet with an elegance and finesse that only Susana can achieve quite so perfectly. Susana strives for balance in her wines, with layers of complexity coming from the individually fermented varietals. She wants people who drink her wines to feel that every sip from the glass is as exciting as the first.

She has been making wine since she earned her enology degree in 1981, and she has probably produced a wider variety of wines than any other winemaker in Argentina. Susana was the first Argentine winemaker to be hired as a consultant to make wine outside of Argentina. She has made wine in Australia, California, Chile, France, Italy, South Africa, and Spain, and she spends a month each year in a different wine region of the world studying with local winemakers and growers.

After 25+ years of winemaking, Susana Balbo has a strong sense of what she wants from her wines. From every harvest, she creates the grandest possible wines under her Susana Balbo label. To achieve this, she makes a rigorous selection of the finest barrels prior to making her final blends, dividing them into the parents (reserve level wines) and offspring or "crios". Wines under her Crios label display ripe fruit flavors, excellent balance and concentration, and are meant to be enjoyed in their vibrant youth. They are also an incredibly good value. The label features a series of three connected and overlapping hands, an image that represents Susana and her children, José and Ana. In 2011, Susana passed the winemaking reins for Crios to her own son, José Lovaglio, a graduate of UC Davis. José continues to translate his mother’s vision while bringing his own unique, modern style to the wines.

Other Wines Available from Crios, the entry level label from Susan.

Crios Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Price: $15         Sale $13.20          Case $153.00

A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec.  From vineyard sources in Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), Los Arboles (Tunuyán), Altamira (San Carlos).

Intense, dark ruby color with enticing aromas of ripe, black plums and black currants. The richly textured plum and currant flavors are joined by accents of dark chocolate and some vanilla-scented oak. The ripe, vibrant tannins give the wine beautiful structure and an amazingly long finish. This is a big wine for just a little money. Drink it now or over the next few years to enjoy the fruit flavors at their best.

Crios Malbec 2012          

Price: $15      Sale $13.20          Case $153.00

A blenc of 5% Bonarda, and 95% Malbec.  The grapes for this wine are from  Agrelo & Anchoris (Luján de Cuyo), Altamira (San Carlos), & Los Árboles (Tunuyán), Tupungato & Vista Flores

The wine has a beautiful reddish/purple color as most good Malbecs do. The aromas are a mix of freshly crushed black cherries and toasty/smoky oak—just enough to frame the exuberant fruit. On the palate, the flavors of cherries and spice are obvious, and the jammy fruit quality just keeps coming on strong, with hints of spice and sandalwood lurking in the background. This is a wine that you’ll want to buy by the case because it can be consumed at almost any occasion, whether at a fancy dinner party, or just curled up on the couch in front of a movie. Fun and delicious—what more can you ask for?

Crios Red Blend 2012     Price: $15                             Sale $13.20          Case $153.00

A blend of 40% Bonarda, 40% Malbec, 5% Syrah and 15% Tannat.  A blend of fruit from: Gualtallary (Tupungato); Agrelo, Alto Ugarteche (Lujan de Cuyo)

(89 Points)  "Bright, deep ruby-blue. Aromas of blackberry and licorice. Excellent energy and grip to the flavors of dark berries and spices. A very successful blend and a standout value--to drink now or over the next few years."  Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2013

Crios Rose of Malbec 2012           Price: $12.75       Sale $11.22          Case $131

(89 Points) "Subtle aromas of musky strawberry and red cherry. Juicy, savory and restrained, with excellent cut and a touch of sweetness to its red fruit and spice flavors. No shortage of body here but most noteworthy for its vinosity and energy."  Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 2014

Crios Syrah/Bonarda 2012            Price: $15                             Sale $13.20          Case $153.00

A blend of 50% Bonarda and 50% Syrah.  A blend of fruit from: Ugarteche (Lujan de Cuyo), Altamira, Tupungato (Uco Valley)

Dark reddish/purple color. Intense aroma of black raspberries and a touch of vanilla. Experience a rush of flavors upon first sip of this medium-bodied wine - ripe blackberry and red plum, young forest floor, hints of smoke and spice. This depth of flavor and intensity on the palate is almost unheard of for wines at this price. It’s a winner both before and during a meal. Certainly enjoyable in its youth, but will age beautifully. A fun wine to try with a wide range of red wine-friendly foods and one that will delight even the most pretentious connoisseur.