Alta Vista Wine Dinner at Cafe Maxx with Special Guest Patrick D Aulan

“Just like becoming an expert in wine, you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford.”

―Julia Child

And if you can’t afford the worlds’ best or most expensive wines you need to come to this dinner as you can drink better than your budget allows with wines from Argentina.

The d'Aulan family produces wines in several wine-growing regions around the world, from France - the country of origin - to Hungary and Argentina, where they created Alta Vista in 1998, in the search of the greatest qualities of two emblematic varieties: Malbec and Torrontes. The result is the perfect combination of French savoir faire and Argentinean passion.

These wines hit at all levels with the value category at under $10 really over-delivering in terms of quality.  You have heard me say time and time again, "You can't beat what is coming from Argentina when it comes to Bordeaux varietals under $10 per bottle".

They single vineyard wines are also unique in that they are expressions of their unique terroir and are at another level in terms of quality and aging potential.  These wines are great examples of the unique terroirs that they are from and an education to taste side by side in a setting like this.

We have winery owner/winemaker Patrick D’Aulan, and national sales manager Pablo Goldemberg in town to host this event featuring all of the wines available in the U.S. from this up and coming star producer from Mendoza.  Chef Oliver Saucy is preparing a special five course menu to accompany the tasting wines.  The fee for this dinner is $75+ Gratuity + Tax, for reservations call 954-782-0606.

Alta Vista Wine Dinner at Cafe Maxx with Special Guest Patrick D’AulanWednesday, July 16, 20147:00 PM

Reception

Avocado shrimp toast with lime and chiliCeviche of stripped bass with corn and sweet potatoChicken and black bean cakes with mango crema

Alta Vista Premium Torrentes Salta Argentina 2012 Price: $17.00       Sale $14.96          Case $174

Great wines are made from great wine growing places. These Torrontes vineyards are among the the best terroirs of Salta, at 5,400 feet elevation. Each vineyard receives precise work tailored to each grape variety via specific treatments called Terroir Management®. The wine is made from destemmed grapes that are gently pressed to avoid harsh phenolics and vinified without malolactic fermentation to preserve the grape’s vibrant aromas and fresh acidity. The wine is aged for 3 months on the lees in steel tank and 3 months in bottle.

With delicate floral aromas, this wine has fresh, lively flavors that are clean, energizing and easy to drink.

Pasta Course

Torn pasta ribbons and Carbonada A La Criolla style beef with West Indian pumpkin, grilled peaches and charred corn with queso fresco

AltaMana Grande Reserve Malbec Maule DOC Chile 2013 Price: $21.00       Sale $18.48          Case $215

French expertise combines with Chilean soil and history to give this Malbec purity and balance, with complexity, depth and concentration, owed to the old vines. 60 year old dry farmed vines benefit from stark diurnal temperature variations yield the superb quality grapes for this wine. Primary fermentation was performed in 28 days with long maceration in small cement tanks. Aged in French oak for 9 months. The wine was not filtered nor clarified prior to bottling in order to preserve the wine's authentic character.

Intense, lively ruby dark color. Aromas of raspberry and Morello cherry with floral notes introduce a complex palate with well rounded tannins and great balance. The finish is intense and very long.

Alta Vista Premium Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Argentina 2011 Price: $20.25       Sale $17.82          Case $207

Great wines are made from the grapes of unique places. Alta Vista’s 516 acres of estate vineyards are among the best terroirs of Mendoza, at 3,200 feet elevation and higher. Work performed on every vineyard is tailored to each grape variety via specific treatments called Terroir Management®. Premium Cabernet Sauvignon completes a short maceration to enhance the wine’s optimal color and aromas while avoiding the extraction of harsh tannins. Part of the wine is aged for 12 months in American oak barrels, before an additional 3 months aging in bottle.

Shows intense, complex black fruit aromas with fresh herb notes. In the mouth, this structured wine has broad, black fruit flavors and rich tannins that blend elegantly with notes of oak.

Grilled Meat Course

Grilled filet mignon with Malbec Chimichurri, potato cake and roasted vegetables

Alta Vista Terroir Selection Malbec Mendoza Argentina 2009 Price: $33.75       Sale $29.70          Case $345

Terroir Selection Malbec is made from a blend of four 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. Aged in French oak barrels (new, one- and two-year old) for 12 months and in bottle for 6 months.

Terroirs for Terroir Selection Malbec 2009:  20% from Alizarine Vineyard in Las Compuertas, Lujan de Cuyo, 5% from Serenade Vineyard in Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo, 65% from Albaneve Vineyard in Campo de los Andes, Valle de Uco, 10% from Temis Vineyard in El Cepillo, Valle de Uco

Spicy, fresh, ripe fruit aromas, with lively acidity, great volume, soft tannins and a long finish.

AltaMana Contanza Single Vineyard Malbec Maule DOC Chile 2012 Price: $48.00       Sale $42.24          Case $490

(92 Points) This search started in 2008 and culminated with the release of this 2012 Malbec Constanza Vineyard, a single vineyard Malbec from a vineyard in Botalcura planted in 1923, where they have 2.2 hectares of Malbec within some nine hectares of vineyards. The vineyards are dry-farmed and head-pruned in the old-fashioned way on granite soils with some alluvial material on top. The grapes are fermented in cement vats and aged in exquisite Taransaud barrels, which for this first vintage were all new, but that amount should be reduced in forthcoming vintages. The wine is quite dark and has plenty of smoke, peat, shoe polish and graphite aromas. In a way it reminds me of a Priorat, with its strong balsamic aromatics, under which you find ripe black fruit and perhaps some violet aromas. The palate is full-bodied, juicy, concentrated and straight rather than round, with good acidity and fine tannins. This is a very small production, limited to 2,640 bottles. It’s a powerful wine that should age well in bottle. Drink 2015-2020. From 2014 there will be three single vineyard bottlings: the vineyards were very old and they needed some time to get in shape. A name to follow.

Patrick D’Aulan’s family used to own the Champagne house Piper-Heidsieck, which they sold in 1998. He developed Alta Vista in Mendoza, Argentina together with the late Jean-Michel Arcaute of Chateau Clinet, and also owns Chateau Dereszla in Tokaj. In a joint venture with his Alta Vista advisor Didier Debono he set out to find old Malbec vineyards in the historical regions of Chile, mainly Maule and Itata.  Wine Advocate #213, Jun 2014

Savory Cheese Course

3 Cheese and mushroom tart with bacon, baby greens and mixed olives

Alta Vista Alto Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007 Price: $90.00       Sale $79.20          Case $918

(92 points)    The 2007 Alto is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% new French oak. Purple/black in color with an alluring nose of sandalwood, exotic spices, black cherry, lavender, and black plum, on the palate it displays opulence, considerable power accompanied by finesse. It has enough structure to evolve for several years and will offer a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2027.  Wine Advocate #192 Dec 2010

Alta Vista Alizerine Single Vineyard Malbec 2010 Price: $54.00       Sale $47.52          Case $551

Single Vineyard Alizarine was introduced in 2001, making Alta Vista the first Argentine winery to produce single vineyard wines. Utilizing their tailored Terroir Management® system for wine growing and winemaking, Alta Vista uses grapes grown in distinctive sites to craft these unique wines that show the true characteristics of each vineyard. All Single Vineyard wines are aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels and an additional 6 months in bottle.

This remarkable vineyard is situated above 3,000 feet elevation in Luján de Cuyo. The soils of this terroir are very poor and permeable and are composed of silty clay loam with a layer of boulders 3-6 ft. deep. Irrigation is traditional, with water from the Andes Mountains, and the climate is mild and arid. The proximity of hills prevents the risk of frost since, in spring, cold air currents descend from the Mendoza River bed. The selection massale vines planted in 1927 are simple Guyot pruned and yield small, compact grape clusters. The wine from this vineyard is notable for its floral bouquet, good acidity and round, elegant tannins.

Dessert

Chocolate terrine with fruit and chocolate sauce

Join us as we experience wines from all of these prized vineyard sites with the winemaker for Alta Vista Winery.  The fee for this dinner is $75 + Tax + Gratuity, for reservations call 954-782-0606.

Great wines are made in the vineyard and these wines are all about these specific sites where they originate, here is some info about Alta Vista’s vineyard Sites:

Alizarine Vineyard

Las Compuertas, in Luján de Cuyo, is one of our most valued plantations, because of its privileged location in the mouth of the Mendoza River, from the mountain to the plain. 1050 meters above sea level, it provides the perfect temperature range, humidity, luminosity and silt clay loam soils.

14 hectares are planted with 80-year-old Malbec grapes

Serenade Vineyard

Alto Agrelo, located in the Luján de Cuyo district, is a desert area with a wide temperature range at 1050 meters above sea level.74 hectares of vineyards with up to 50-year-old plants are cultivated in very poor clay-loamy soil of 4 meters deep, which hide a bed of stones.

Azamor Vineyard

Las Compuertas, in Luján de Cuyo, is our most recent acquisition at 1062 meters above sea level. This area is ideal for the cultivation of Malbec grapes because of its luminosity, wide temperature range and poor soils. It has a privileged location in the bank of the Mendoza River which create an unique and special microclimate.

Albaneve Vineyard

Campo de los Andes, in Valle de Uco, is one of highest areas for wine cultivation in the Mendoza area. Its particularity is its close proximity to the foot of Cordón del Portillo mountains, with 5000-meter peaks; such altitude produces a wide temperature range between day and night, and a shadow cone in the late-afternoon protects the area from the intensity of the sun. 132 hectares of which 92 were planted with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Chardonnay grapes in 1999.

Temis Vineyard

El Cepillo, in Valle de Uco, our most southern vineyard benefits from extreme weather conditions.1020 meters above sea level El Cepillo is the coldest climate in Mendoza for vine cultivation, benefitting from sandy loam soil with an 80-cm deep layer of limestone Here, the conditions of Campo de los Andes are reproduced, but are even more extreme.

19 hectares planted with Malbec of 70 years with Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo vines.

Cafayate Vineyard

Valles Calchaquíes, in Salta, 1220 hectares of virgin land , from 2000 to 2300 meters above sea level is a fascinating Argentine wine growing area. It stands out from all the rest because of its height and combined Andean desert and tropical characteristics. The region is the heart of cultivation of the best torrontés grapes of Argentina.

What I Drank Yesterday- Saint Glinglin, Chateau La Rousselle, Chateau Beauregard and more

Tal was in with a mixed bag of Bordeaux, showcasing the last three vintages to be released, of which the 2011's were the most forward and drinkable, the 2010's have incredible depth and structure and the 2009's are a more forward style but also have excellent structure.

2011 Chateau Laplagnotte-Bellevue Saint Emilion Grand Cru      Price: $30.00

A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc 70/30, a good hand of fresh earth, fine herbs, coffee, currant and cassis berry fruit, a very fruit forward bouquet.  A big and fruity style of Bordeaux with a good amount of red currant berry fruit and silky smooth tannins, nice freshness with a bit of that earth and coffee notes through the finish.  Finish 35+  Very Good         

2011 Saint Glinglin Saint Emilion Grand Cru        Price: $36.00

The term means when pigs fly, Richard Betz is involved with this wine along with Francois Thienpont, a blend of 70/30, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it is from Two Grand Cru Vinetards, Larcis Ducasse and Trimoulet.  This wine has a good amount of terroir on the nose, fine herbs, flowers and a good hand of plum and dark cherry like fruit, tobacco spice, nice complexity on the nose.  A very smooth and polished wine on the tongue, elegant and silky on the tongue with a good amount of fresh red berry fruit, drinking very nicely with some of that earth and spice from the nose through the finish.  Finish 35+            Very Good +

2009 Chateau La Rousselle Fronsac          Price: $42.00

A blend of 65/35 Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Stephan Derencourt is the consultant here with a good hand of tobacco, floral notes and sweet herbs very forward and seductive fruit here, plum and cherry very ripe and showy bouquet.  A good amount of rich ripe fruit here but also has the terroir and earthy, fine herbs, cigar box spice and a nice savoriness to the finish.  Finish 40+              Excellent

2011 Chateau Beauregard Pomerol         Price: $60.00

A blend of 93% Merlot 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc 60% new barrique used here, has a bit of a green herbal note to the red cherry and red plum fruit, has some toasty oak notes, coffee and fresh earth.  A very plush and silky smooth wine on the tongue with rich plum and cherry fruit, a nice touch of that green peppery note from the nose through the finish.  Finish 40+      Excellent             

2010 Chateau Fourcas-Borie Listrac Medoc          Price: $30.00

This is made from 30 years old vines, a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petite Verdot aged for 12 months in French oak 30-50% of which is new.  This wine has a good amount of red currant and plum fruit with a nice amount of coffee, fresh plowed earth and fine herbs, nice concentration of aromas.  Nice structure and depth of flavors on the tongue with a firm hand of acidity and some dry tannins on the finish but has everything in proportion these 2010's have wonderful structure and concentration.    Finish 45+             Excellent

What I Drank Yesterday- Mossolino

The history of the Massolinos and their wine became entwined with the history of Serralunga d’Alba in 1896, when Giovanni founded the Estate. Giovanni was the very first person to bring the electric current to the village. An enterprising, tenacious and creative man, progenitor of a family that has made the combination of inspiration and tradition something to be proud of.

The first wine cellar was built by Giuseppe, son of the founder Giovanni, who, together with his sister Angela, extended his estate into the best soils and, in 1934, was one of the founders of the Consortium for the Defence of Barolo and Barbaresco. At that time, Giuseppe had six children. Three of them, Giovanni, Camilla and Renato, followed in their father’s footsteps, expanding the estate with the purchase of cru vineyards which are authentic jewels: Margheria, Parafada and Vigna Rionda.

In the 1990’s Franco and Roberto, both oenologists, joined the family estate. Their work condenses the experience of an entire family and the ambition of a new generation, determined to make an important contribution to the innovation of oenological and agronomical techniques and to the image of the estate in Italy and abroad.

2013 Mossolino Moscato D'Asti                Price: $24.75

Orange blossom and peach fruit very forward and seductive apples, pears an array fresh tree fruit with pretty floral notes.  Juicy fruit on the tongue this is the soda pop of wines with sweet fruit and a nice burst of acidity and pretty floral notes on the finish.  Finish 30+      Very Good +     

2012 Mossolino Barbera D'Alba                Price: $28.25

This is all estate bottled juice and they are a traditional producer with a good amount of dark berry fruit, pretty floral notes and some dark spices on the nose.  Bright black raspberry fruit with pretty violet floral notes and a zesty finish, very fresh finish.  Finish 35+              Very Good +     

2007 Massolino Barolo Parafada Serralinga D'Alba           Price: $99.00

Just expanded cellar which is just under the city of Serralunga D'Alba, this is the most new world in style of the single vineyard sites, sandy soils, cherry liqueur like fruit with an array of fresh flowers, red licorice spice, tar and dark exotic spices on the nose.  A big and rich wine with lots of cherry liqueur like fruit, exotic spices, pretty floral notes and a long layered finish.  Finish 50+             Most Excellent