Cigliuti Tasting at Wine Watch with Special Guest Claudia Cigliuti

To A Corkscrew By Duffield Osborne

Thou who to burdened brain, and troubled heart Dost wind thy way with gently sinuous art, Slender, and graceful, curled with skill divine; Mirth, riot, and revelry are ever thine Whose office ’tis to seek and free the captive wine.

Hail! to thee men below and gods above Attune their lays of homage and of love; Fair silver ringlet!

The Piedmont is full of small producers like Cigluiti and this is the reason why it is one of my favorite wine regions on the planet.  They are a small family run winery that focuses on quality first and quality of life is one of the most important things to most of the denizens of this part and all of Italy for that matter.  These small artisan producers know that there is nothing better than food, wine and family.

We have been selling the wines of Cigluiti for over a decade and have tasted quite a few of their wines with 10+ years in the cellar.  The wines of Cigliuti age very nicely and I would love to taste them with 10 more years in the cellar but most of these wines will not make it that long here at the store.  We recently opened a 1997 Serraboella Barbaresco in the store and the other bottle that was here sold that day to one of the people who was lucky enough to get a taste.  These new releases will reward those with the patience and a cellar to hold on to them.

Join us as we break bread with the next generation from this small family owned gem from the Piedmont.  Wine Watch Catering's Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines.  The fee for this tasting is $55 + tax + gratuity, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Cigliuti Tasting at Wine Watch with Special Guest Claudia CigliutiTuesday, October 8, 20137pm

Tasting Line-Up:

Cigliuti Dolcetto d'Alba Serraboella 2011 Price $21.00  Sale $18.48  Case $215

(88 Points) The 2011 Dolcetto d’Alba Vigna Serraboella is fresh, vibrant and nicely done, with plenty of varietal character. The 2011 is a floral, perfumed, medium-bodied Dolcetto to drink over the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014. Cigliuti is one of the many small, family-run estates that embodies the finest of the artisan traditions of Piedmont. I found a lot to like in these current releases. The 2009 Barbareschi showed quite well, even though they had been bottled just prior to my visit. They are fresh, vibrant wines with lovely balance for the year. The 2010s are shaping up to be even better, but they are at least a year away from hitting the market. Claudia Cigliuti describes 2009 as a vintage with heavy snowfall in the winter and considerable rain during the spring. The summer was warmer than normal, which resulted in a slightly early harvest that started on September 8 and finished with the Nebbiolo being brought in between the 20th and 25th. Cigliuti makes two Barbareschi. The Vie Erte (formerly Vigne Erte) is aged in cask, while the Serraboella is aged 60% in cask and 40% in French oak.  Wine Advocate #203, Oct 2012

Cigliuti Barbera d'Alba Serraboella 2009 Price $30.00  Sale $26.40  Case $306

(90 Points) Deep layers of rich, resonant fruit emerge from the 2009 Barbera d’Alba Serraboella. There is plenty of 2009 vintage fleshiness, along with an additional dimension of volume from the aging in neutral French oak barrels, but it is the purity of the fruit that comes through most clearly in this highly engaging, utterly delicious Barbera. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.  Wine Advocate #203, Oct 2012

Cigliuti Briccoserra 2007 Price $51.00  Sale $44.88  Case $520

Briccoserra is 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Barbera from the Serraboella vineyard. The Barbera fills out the wine's core and provides the plump, fragrant fruit while the Nebbiolo contributes aromatics and structure. Ideally the sum is greater than the whole of its parts, which is certainly the case here. From start to finish this is a beautifully balanced, compelling red. It is loaded with ripe dark fruit. This medium to full-bodied red possesses outstanding depth and clarity, along with layers of gorgeous aromatics that continue to open up in the glass.

Cigliuti Briccoserra 2009 Price $55.00  Sale $48.40  Case $561

(88 Points) The 2009 Briccoserra (Nebbiolo, Barbera) is a deep, fleshy wine with plenty of depth and roundness. There is nothing wrong with the 2009, but it doesn’t have the sheer personality of the estate’s other wines. These Piedmont blends – once all the rage in the 1980s and mid 1990s – have now pretty much run their course. The Briccoserra spent 18 months in new French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.  Wine Advocate #203, Oct 2012

2005 Cigliuti Barbaresco Vigna Erte List Price: $58.25               Your Price: $51.26 Quantity in Stock: 13

Vigna Erte is a lovely Cru, just one hill over from Serraboella. As of 2010, the wine will also carry the "Bricco di Neive" Cru designate. This hilltop has more sand in the soil. Sandy soils lead to an expression of Nebbiolo with high-toned aromatics and more accessible tannins. Like Serraboella, Vigna Erte sees both Slovenian and French 2000L oak casks. In the glass, the wine has fresh red plum and raspberry, violets, roses, tar, and minerals. It is a highly aromatic, soft and silky expression of Nebbiolo.

(90 Points) Cigliuti's 2005 Barbaresco Vigna Erte is beautiful in this vintage. The wine shows its trademark aromatics, but has more richness in its fruit and greater finesse in its tannins than has been the case in the past. The once-young vines are acquiring age, and this bottling finally seems to be coming into its own. This is the best Vigna Erte yet. The wine was aged 20-hectoliter casks. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. Wine Advocate # 179, Oct 2008

Cigliuti Barbaresco Serraboella 2008 Price $84.00  Sale $73.92  Case $857

30 year-old Nebbiolo vines are carefully tended by hand at the hillcrest of the Serraboella Cru in Neive. Cigliuti's portion of the hill is southwest facing on calcareous marl and tufa soils. Barbaresco Serraboella is aged in primarily Slovenian casks and a small amount of French oak. There's beautiful fruit in this red, which shows pure cherry, plum and licorice aromas and flavors highlighted by oak spice and floral notes. Detailed and elegant, with solid power underneath. The finish echoes fruit, earth, and spices.

(90-92 Points) The 2008 Barbaresco Serraboella is quite compact and closed, but there is a purity and depth to the fruit that is striking. Sweet red berries, crushed flowers, cinnamon and tobacco are all woven together in this attractive, deceptively mid-weight Barbaresco. The rich, round finish leaves a lasting impression. For the first time I can remember, I have a slight preference for the Vigne Erte in this vintage, as it appears to be a better balanced wine, at least at this stage. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.  Wine Advocate #203, Oct 2012

Menu

Selection of Cheese:  Reggiano Parmesan, Beemster Gouda, St. Andre

Chicken Flat Bread with herb infused wild mushrooms, goat cheese and mole sauce

Eggplant rollatini served over fresh tomato marinara with aromatic vegetables and fresh herbs

A bit about Cigliuti

Renato Cigliuti's family has been farming vineyards and producing wines in Barbaresco since 1790. However, it wasn't until 1964 that they began bottling and selling their own wines, just 300 bottles of Barbaresco. Renato was one of the first in the area to do so, together with Giacosa and a few other estates.  Today, Renato steers the course for Cigliuti but is assisted in the cellar by his wife Dina, and daughters, Claudia and Silvia— a talented and a well-matched team.

The winery is located at the top of the Serraboella hill. Serraboella is an official Barbaresco subzone and the most important vineyard in the eastern part of the municipality of Neive, thanks largely to the progress made by Renato himself. For decades, Cigliuti's name has been synonymous with expressive Barbarescos from Serraboella, of the utmost quality, and will continue to be for decades to come.

The territory of Langhe is characterised by hills, steep slopes and a predominantly calcareous clay soil. The climate is mainly continental, with important differences in microclimate depending on the site. This terroir brings minerality, complexity, personality and longevity to the wines. The Fratelli Cigliuti winery is situated on the Serraboella hill, 350 metres above sea level, overlooking the village of Neive, in the Langhe region of Piemonte.

Serraboella, rich in calcareous clay, is planted with Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto; incorporating the single vineyard 'Campass'.  The sandier Bricco di Neive is planted exclusively with Nebbiolo ('Vigne Erte'). The Cigliuti family tend the vineyards themselves, by hand, and in a way which respects the environment. Yields are kept low in order to harvest the finest fruit.

Other wines available from Cigluiti:

2006 Cigliuti Briccoserra Nebbiolo Barbera List Price: $48.75               Your Price: $42.90 Quantity in Stock: 9

(90 Points) The 2006 Briccoserra is a tasty, flavorful red loaded with ripe dark fruit. This medium to full-bodied red possesses outstanding depth and clarity, along with layers of gorgeous aromatics that continue to open up in the glass. Briccoserra is a blend equal parts Nebbiolo and Barbera aged in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2012. Wine Advocate # 179, Oct 2008

2004 Cigliuti Barbaresco Serraboella List Price: $68.75               Your Price: $60.50 Quantity in Stock: 6

(92 Points) The flagship 2004 Barbaresco Serraboella is made in a generous, expansive style that provides balance to the wine’s structural components. Sweet spices, toasted oak, dark fruit, tar and menthol are just some of the nuances that emerge from this harmonious, complete Barbaresco. This is a very representative wine in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024.Wine Advocate # 179, Oct 2008

2005 Cigliuti Barbaresco Serraboella List Price: $70.75               Your Price: $62.26 Quantity in Stock: 2

Notes of fresh shaved lead pencil fresh plowed earth and dried flowers with a good amount of red cherry liqueur like fruit and black tar like fruit very complex bouquet. Smooth and velvety on the tongue with layers of spice firm tannins and layers of spice and dried floral notes. Finish 45 Excellent

What I Drank Yesterday:  The King of Bonarda

I think that this is one of those grape varietals that makes a very good everyday wine but I have not had any examples of Bonarda that to me were world class wines.  With that said, these are all excellent examples of this varietal and if you want to give this varietal the old college try these are as good as any that I have tasted.

2011 Colonia Las Liebres by Altos Las Hormigas (Bonarda)            List $13.50  Sale $11.88  Case $138.00

Black earth, dried tobacco, dried flowers and dark plum and black cherry fruit.  Light and refreshing red with cherry fruit and notes of earth, bitter coco and dark spice on the finish, short but pleasant.  Finish 30+    Good +

2011 Bodega Iaccarini (Bonarda)               List $15.75  Sale $13.86  Case $161

I don’t like the plastic cork but has a pleasant bouquet dark earth, tobacco spice and a hint of smoke.  A bit of beef stew like quality to the finish with brown spices and earthy notes to the dark plum fruit.  Finish 25+            Good

2010 Nicasio (Bonarda) List $29.25  Sale $25.74  Case $299 

A bit of a minty, menthol like note to the black raspberry, cherry berry fruit and pretty floral notes.  Has a nice amount of juicy fruit smooth and silky texture on the tongue, concentrated berry fruit with spiced tobacco and that menthol notes through the finish.  Finish 35+    Very Good

What I Drank Yesterday: Paul Hobbs Imports

All of these reviews are from our Argentina and Chile wine tasting that we had in the store here a month or so ago.  This is a portfolio that we know very well as Paul Hobbs imports has become not only one of the best wineries in Argentina but now one of the best sources for other top level wines as they have added a few friends wines to their portfolio.  The Perez Cruz brand from Chile is excellent and the Pulenta Estate wines are as good as anything that I have tasted from Mendoza.

2012 Felino Vina Cobos Chardonnay Mendoza   Price: $19.00 Sale $16.72 Case $194

A blend of grapes from the Valle de Uco and the Lujan de Cuyo, this wine does see 20% French oak, 4000 cases produced about 30% comes to the U.S. market.  Fresh apple and pear like fruit with just a touch of spice and vanilla but just a whiff the fresh fruit is the focus here on the palate very fresh and lively with a nice touch of spice through the finish.  Finish 35+                Very Good +

2011 Perez Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Chile              Price: $16.00 Sale $14.08 Case $164

This Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the typicity of Maipo Alto, a good amount of that peppery spice to the red currant and cherry berry fruit very aromatic, distinctly Chilean.  A very fresh and savory style of Cabernet Sauvignon With red currant berry fruit and a good hand of herbs and that peppery spice through the finish.  Finish 35+          Very Good +

2012 Pulenta "La Flor" Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza     Price: $15.00 Sale $13.25 Case $153

Red currant and red plum like fruit with notes of tobacco spice and a touch of mint and fresh earth along with a note of peppery spice.  Juicy red currant berry fruit with zesty tobacco spice and fresh earthy notes along with a hint of pepper on the finish, but very juicy in the fruit department with ripe round tannins, very smooth with a balanced fresh finish.  Finish 35+         Very Good +

2011 Bramare Vina Cobos Malbec Valle de Uco                 Price: $45.00 Sale $39.60 Case $459

This is all purchased fruit from 3 different vineyards, Mendoza is the size of Germany only 2-3 % of the area is planted to grapes, this is one of the best areas in Mendoza, maybe compared to more fresh fruit violets, red berry fruit more acidity, it is a bit cooler and the soils are more alluvial nature, black and red cherry berry fruit, violets, nice concentration.  A big and juicy wine on the tongue with bright red cherry fruit, black raspberry and fine tannins very ripe and round with bright refreshing zesty acidity and some minerality, leaves the tongue salivating for food.  Finish 40+   Excellent +

2010 Vina Cobos "Bramare" Cabernet Sauvignon Lujon de Cuyo Mendoza           Price: $41.00 Sale $36.08 Case $419

A good amount of fruit on the nose, figs, dark currant and black cherry fruit with sweet tobacco spice, dark soy, coffee and sweet herbs, very complex bouquet of aromas.  Big and chewy on the tongue with ripe round tannins, turning a bit dry on the finish but has a good amount of juicy fruit black cherry and currant berry fruit along with an array of dark spice notes through the finish.  Finish 40+    Excellent +

2010 Pulenta Estate Gran Malbec Alto Agrelo Mendoza                Price: $43.00 Sale $37.84 Case $439

A very pretty wine with violet floral notes, fresh plowed earth notes to the black raspberry and blackberry fruit hints of black licorice spice, very complex array on the nose.  Big and chewy with an array of dark berry fruit, violet floral notes, fine tannins with a nice touch of sweet tobacco spice and white pepper notes through the finish.  Finish 45+                Most Excellent

What I Drank Yesterday: Vine Connections

This is another top level portfolio of wines and they have Mr. Roland’s wines from the famous Yacochuya estate have become some of the most sought after in South America.  We have also included a few wines from TGIC at the end of these reviews for Vine Connections as there are only two of their wines that were tasted that night but one of them was the wine of the night for me. 

Montes Purple Angel really steals the show every time it is on the table.  This little monster is deep purple and is angelic like in terms of its finish, like it was from another world with its level of richness and still maintaining elegance and balance, if you like Carmenere or would like to try one of the greatest examples of this varietal on the planet- check this wine out!!

2010 Luca Chardonnay   Price: $36.00 Sale $31.68 Case $368

Butterscotch and vanilla notes to the pineapple and peach fruit, very fruity with a nice touch of oak spice.  A rich and creamy wine on the tongue with layers of rich tropical fruit, vanilla and butterscotch notes and a touch of zesty mineral nuance with good balance and freshness for such a rich style.  Finish 40+              Excellent

2011 Yacochuya Torrontes Salta                Price: $24.00 Sale $21.12 Case $245

From the 60-year-old vines of Finca Yacochuya in Valles Calchaquíes, the grapes are handpicked and the wines are aged in French oak barrels. Yacochuya wines were the first to be barrel-fermented in Argentina. These wines are the ultimate combination of the Finca Yacochuya vineyard, the Etchart family’s grape growing knowledge in this unique high-altitude region of Cafayate, along with the passion and expertise from one of the world’s pre-eminent winemakers, Michel Rolland.  Has a very perfumed floral nuance from the nose, lilacs and gardenias  with notes of ginger spice and a slight briny note, green melon rind, orange and tangerine fruit on the nose, fairly complex bouquet of aromas.  Fresh and fruity on the tongue with a light effervescence on the finish tongue tingly acidity and pretty floral notes through the finish, slight oily texture.  Finish 35+         Very Good +

2010 Susan Balbo “Signature” Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza     Price: $28.00 Sale $24.64 Case $286

A fairly complex bouquet of coffee, tobacco spice and light smoke with dark cherry and black currant berry fruit.  A big but still savory style with dark currant and cherry fruit, a good amount of tannins and nice freshness, tobacco spice and fresh earth notes through the finish.  Finish 40+            Excellent

2010 Mendel Unus          Price: $37.50 Sale $33.00 Case $383

A blend of 82-year-old un-grafted 65% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Perdriel, Mayor Drummond and Altamira that is aged in new Taransaud oak for 16 months.   Has a good amount of dark earth, coffee and dark berry fruit plum, light smoke and coco notes.  Has a good amount of dark spice and damp earth with hints of barnyard to the black currant and blackberry fruit with a smooth finish, notes of dark coco and mineral nuance, some dry tannins, needs a bit of time, a big wine but well balanced and long finish, even better on the second day.  Finish 45+        Excellent +

2010 La Posta “Pizzella” Malbec               Price: $20.00 Sale $17.60 Case $204

A good amount of toasty oak spice, fresh floral notes, bitter chocolate and graphite mineral notes to the black cherry and dark plum fruit, good concentration of aromas on the nose.  A big and juicy wine on the palate with black cherry liqueur like fruit, notes of black licorice and sweet tobacco spice, nice freshness with good structure, dark tobacco spice and some dry tannins on the finish.  Finish 45+               Excellent +

2011 Lurton “Araucano” Pinot Noir         Price: $14.00 Sale $12.32 Case $143

Light red berry fruit, strawberry and raspberry with pretty floral notes, a touch of mint and exotic spices.  A light and savory style of Pinot Noir with a good hand of fresh earth and truffle nuance on the finish, nice spicy/savory finish.  Finish 35+                Very Good

2009 Lurton “Clos de Lolol”         Price: $25.00 Sale $22.00 Case $255

A blend of the wineries best cuvées of Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Carmenere. Each part of Colchagua valley produces grapes with their own distinct characters.  Notes of graphite, black earth and black pepper spice to the dark cherry and plum fruit with some of that green herbal nuance of chile and the Carmenere varietal showing here, notes of espresso.  A savory style Bordeaux blend, a nice amount of that herbal nuance to the dark berry fruit laced with tobacco spice, espresso and that peppery nuance and fresh plowed black earth notes through the finish.  Finish 40+       Excellent

2010 Zuccardi “Q” Tempranillo Mendoza Price: $21.00 Sale $18.48 Case $215

At the foot of the Andes Mountains, in the vast desert province of Mendoza sits Familia Zuccardi, Argentina's largest family-owned winery and one of the leading exporters of Argentine wines.  Has toffee notes to the strawberry jelly like fruit on the nose, a touch of raw hamburger meat, very pretty bouquet.  A good amount of dried tobacco and fine herbs to the zesty wild strawberry and cherry fruit with some dry tannins on the finish, but lots of juicy fruit all the way to the end.  Finish 40+            Very Good +

2009 Zuccardi “Zeta” Mendoza  Price: $45.00 Sale $39.60 Case $459

Pretty violet floral highlights to black cherry and plum like fruit notes of cedar, sweet tobacco and some fresh earth but the focus is on the ripe juicy fruit.  Smooth and polished on the tongue with ripe round tannins and a nice amount of spice and herbs on the finish, lots of juicy fruit but still finishes balanced and fresh.  Finish 45+        Excellent

2004 Weinert “Caves de Weinert” Mendoza      Price: $26.00 Sale $22.88 Case $265

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot.  This wine is starting to show some age with aromas of dried earth, barnyard like aromas to the currant and cherry fruit on the nose, tobacco spice.  Sweet fruit on the tongue plum and currant with a silky elegance that you usually only find in Bordeaux very old world style with lots of layers of earth, fruit and spice, showing some evolution but still has good fruit and some tannins through the finish.  Finish 40+   Excellent

2010 Ventisquero “Grey” Carmenere    Price: $22.00 Sale $19.36 Case $225

Green peppercorn spice to the black plum and huckleberry fruit on the nose, dark earth and black pepper spice, sweet berry fruit, tobacco spice with espresso and mocha notes.  A nicely balanced wine with a good amount of that herbal notes and tobacco spice to the dark cherry and plum fruit with a nice touch of peppery spice at the end.  Finish 45+     Excellent

2010 Montes Purple Angel Colchagua    Price: $67.50  Sale $59.40 Case $689

A very complex array of coffee, espresso, black licorice, fine herbs and mocha with an array of dark cherry, dark plum like fruit wonderful concentration and depth of aromas very complex with layers of dark exotic spices and dried floral notes.  Very big and chewy on the tongue with layers of everything aforementioned on the nose coming through on the finish.  This wine is big and chewy but with wonderful balance and a long complex finish. Wow- even better on the second day the true sign of a GREAT wine.  Finish 50+     KILLER

2010 Achaval Ferrer Quimera Mendoza Price: $45.00 Sale $39.60 Case $459

A blend of 38% old vine Malbec from Medrano and from Luján de Cuyo; 24%, Merlot from Tupungato; 24% old vine Cabernet Sauvignon from Medrano and from Tupungato; and 14% Cabernet Franc from Tupungato.   A very complex bouquet of fresh earth, mineral nuance, dark cherry and plum like fruit with sweet tobacco spice, light smoke and soy like exotic spices.  A pretty wine on the tongue with smooth tannins and fine herbs and spice through the finish with fine herbs and fresh plowed earth notes very fresh and spiced finish.  Finish 40+    Excellent +

What I Drank Yesterday: Durigutti Winery

This is a first generation family winery this is their 11th vintage and everything is estate bottled from two different vineyard sites.  The only thing that I did not like about the line-up here is the plastic corks in the lower tier wines.  These corks have been proven to shorten the shelf life on wines but if you drink them in the first year of their life this should not be a problem. 

2010 Durigutti Bonarda Mendoza             Price: $15.00

12 months in the barrel and they use native yeasts bottled unfined unfiltered.  Dark berry and plum fruit with black earth and spices, dried beef and mocha notes.  Fresh and easy drinking style with dark berry fruit, nice freshness with a short but pleasant finish.  Finish 25+           Good +

2012 Durigutti Malbec Mendoza               Price: $15.00

Four different vineyards sites 100% varietal, 12 months in French oak, low yields one plant one bottle.  Pretty floral notes to the blackberry fruit, violet and some tobacco spice and fresh earth.  Dark berry fruit with fine tannins nice freshness and balance with notes of mocha and nice freshness on the finish, nice fruit here but balanced and fresh on the finish.  Finish 30+         Very Good

2010 Durigutti Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza     Price: $15.00

This wine has 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petite Verdot in the blend utilizing 50% second use American and French oak for 12 months.  Bark currant and cassis berry fruit with notes of fine herbs and some loamy earth notes, dried tobacco spice.  A very smooth and elegant style of wine with currant berry fruit, fresh finish, earthy and fine herb notes on the finish again a very balanced and elegant style not overdone.  Finish 35+            Very Good

2011 Durigutti Cabernet Franc Mendoza               Price: $15.00

100% varietal and the same regiment as the other wines native yeast, one vine per plant and cigar wrapper spice to the dark cherry and blackberry fruit and dark earth black truffle notes.  Big and chewy on the tongue with dark currant berry fruit and fine tannins a bit dry at the end, notes of dark coco and black earth through the finish.  Finish 45+          Very Good

2009 Durigutti Malbec Reserva Mendoza             Price: $22.50

Very old vines located in Agrelo part of Mendoza, 1945 2% Cabernet Franc in the blend 16 months in the barrel 30% New and the rest second use French oak, 7000 plants per hectare high density planting.   Has a good amount of ripe black berry, raspberry and pretty violet floral notes along with some black earth, notes of bitter chocolate.  Smooth and silky texture on the tongue with bright blackberry fruit with a zesty finish very balanced and elegant style, leaves the tongue salivating for food.  Finish 40+               Excellent

2010 Durigutti Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Mendoza   Price: $22.50

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from different vineyard and production in the vines, reserva line is 2 plants per bottle and 16 months in oak.  A bit of fine herbs and some graphite pencil lead notes to the bouquet of currant and cassis berry fruit.  Dark currant and cassis berry fruit with notes of tobacco spice and loamy earth notes, nice fresh savory finish, all of these wines leave you wanting a second glass.  Finish 45+         Excellent

2010 Durigutti Cabernet Franc Reserva Mendoza              Price: $22.50

A blend of Uco 1200 meters high and Lujan de Cuyo valley 1100 meters high fruit 50/50, made the same way as the Reserva Cabernet 2 plants per bottle.  Pretty nose of violet and lavender floral notes, dark coco mocha notes to the blackberry black raspberry fruit, minty green notes.  Lots of ripe rich dark berry fruit on the tongue with a firm hand of tannins and balanced fresh acidity leaves the tongue salivating for good, tobacco spice on the finish. Big but again still elegantly fashioned.  Finish 45+         Excellent +

2007 Durigutti Famillla Mendoza              Price: $60.00

Made from a vineyard planted in 1929, 24 months in French oak first use, a blend of 85% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Bonarda and Cabernet Sauvignon making up the remainder of the blend 3 plants per bottle, alcohol fermentation in barrique with punch down.  A very intense and concentrated bouquet of aromas on the nose, black earth, blackberry and black cherry liqueur like fruit, fresh violet floral notes.  Big and chewy on the tongue with lots of everything plump ripe fruit, currant and cherry fruit, firm tannins and a good hand of earth and spice through the finish, very long and layered, this wine still needs time but has everything in proportion.  Finish 50+    Most Excellent