South American Showdown - Chile Versus Argentina Wine Tasting

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

This tasting combines the two powerhouse wine producing countries of South America; Chile and Argentina.   You may have heard me saying that it is hard to beat Chile and Argentina when it comes to value but now we will see some of the most expensive wines that they have to offer and we will take a look at a few vintage wines to see just how these top level wines age.  We will be featuring the only wine from South American that has ever earned the #1 spot in the Wine Spectator’s top 100.  The 2005 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta will be on the table and  I have been holding on to this bottle since its release to see how it will age, this is the last of the three bottles that we set aside for scientific research and it was WOTN the last time we showed it.  Like I said were doing very important scientific research with wines here at Wine Watch.  If you can’t make the tasting and want to know how the older wines showed follow the Wine Watch Instagram TV channel for a full report on this and all the tastings we host at Wine Watch.

I have also included an offering on two top producers wines from South America.  Terrazes de los Andes joint venture with Chateau Cheval Blanc the 2015 Cheval Des Andes that we are showing at this tasting along with all the other wines from this excellent winery at the best prices in the country.  I also have the Lapostle Clos Apalta wines on this offering- two great South American wineries at incredible prices.  If you can’t make the tasting you can host one in your home and see two of the top wines from Argentina and Chile but we do not have the older vintages available for sale you have to come to the tasting to experience the vintage wines or hold on to these current releases in your cellar for a decade to see them at their peak. 

This is a seated event and there are only 12 spaces available.  The fee for this tasting is $175 per person + tax and that includes dinner!  For reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

Argentina Versus Chile Wine Tasting at Wine Watch
Thursday, September 10th
7:30pm
2016 Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua
2016 Vina Almaviva Puente Alto Chile
2015 Cheval des Andes Mendoza
2013 Nicolas Catena Zapata Red Blend Mendoza
2011 Achaval Ferrer Malbec Finca Mirador Mendoza
2009 Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira Malbec Mendoza
2009 Vina Almaviva Puente Alto Chile
2009 Cuvelier los Andes Gran Vin Mendoza Magnum
2008 Puro Uno Malbec Gran Reserva Mendoza
2005 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua

Menu
Sausage Stuffed Green Olives with Avocado and Garlic Roasted red pepper puree
Quail eggs poached in Baby bell peppers with Ciacci Piccolomini Olive Oil
Crispy Sweetbreads with Savory Plum Syrup
Humitas - boiled corn leaf rolls filled with seasoned ground corn and coffee robbed Pork Loin
Short Rib Empanadas with mole Sauce

The fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $175 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com

A special offer on one of Argentina’s finest producers:

2015 Cheval Des Andes Mendoza
Wine Searcher Average Price: $98.00      Tubular Tuesday Sale $59.00

(96 Points) The 2015 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 69% Malbec and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, the tendency in the last few years. 2015 was also a challenging year for Cabernet Sauvignon, but they were ready for it after 2014, the only harvest in which they used more Petit Verdot in the blend than Cabernet Sauvignon. 2015 was a very different harvest from 2016. In 2015, they had a lot of heat, and it was dry during the growing season; the rain during the harvest was a challenge, but in a way, it also saved the year by providing some freshness. This wine feels quite classic, looking for freshness, elegance and aging potential. I see this in the style of the 2012, with more refinement and nicely textured. There are some grainy tannins that should get polished with time, and there is great structure and freshness. It's 14% alcohol, which is moderate for what it was in the past. 55,000 bottles produced. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Most Bordeaux aficionados have never tasted the old pre-phylloxera wines of Bordeaux as before phylloxera Malbec was actually one of the most important grapes in Bordeaux. In 1855 when the famous Medoc classification was established, the Grand Crus all had 20-40% Malbec in their vineyards, and Cheval Blanc had a high proportion too.

There were problems after phylloxera with bad selection of vegetal material and poor grafting, and so little by little Malbec was replaced by Merlot. But Malbec has found a new home in Mendoza. 

The rest of the Line-up at Terrazas:

2018 Terrazas de los Andes Torrontes Reserva Mendoza
Price: $15.75       Sale $13.86

Fresh and bright bouquet with a light briny character honeydew melon and lime citrus, a slight petrol note.  Fresh and clean on the tongue with a texture of skim milk and a light clean finish again with a light briny quality.  Finish 35+           Good +

2018 Terrazas de los Andes Chardonnay Reserva Mendoza
Price: $17.75       Sale $15.62

Fresh red apple and pineapple fruit on the nose with notes of fresh buttered toast and light mineral tones.  Ripe pineapple like fruit on the palate with just the right touch of lightly toasted oak spice, nice bright acidity keeping things fresh till the end.  Finish 45+ Excellent +

2017 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Reserva Mendoza
Price: $17.75       Sale $15.62

Blackberry blueberry like fruit on the nose with notes of espresso and black damp earth dark coco.  Plush and fruity black berry fruit on the tongue smooth and velvety texture with a nice touch of black spice and dark coco notes.  Finish 40+                Excellent

2017 Terrazas de los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Mendoza
Price: $17.75       Sale $15.62

Fresh plowed earth and some barnyard like aromas with cigar box and a good deal of red and black currant berry fruit and a whiff of raw meat.  Big and chewy on the palate with a good amount of tannins drying out the palate but a good amount of currant berry fruit bittersweet chocolate.  Finish 45+       Excellent +

2017 Terrazas de los Andes Grand Malbec Mendoza

Price: $39.75       Sale $34.98

Intense red with black hues. It displays an attractive and complex bouquet that combines aromas of dark fruit with balsamic and aromatic herbs notes. It shows delicate aromas of mocha and dark chocolate towards the end. Smooth, bold and fresh in the mouth. Its outstanding acidity and round, firm tannins guarantee a long ageing potential.

2013 Terrazas de los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon Los Aromos
Price: $39.75       Sale $34.98

(92 points) Full medium ruby. Crushed cassis, blackberry, licorice, menthol and bitter chocolate aromas are lifted by violet and black pepper. A suave, inviting combo of lively dark berry fruit, thick texture, firm acidity and sexy bitter-chocolate oak. Firmly built but more pliant and inviting than the 2012 was last year. Fine-grained tannins dust the front teeth on the lightly peppery finish. A sexy sweetness makes this structured, delineated Cabernet very attractive already but it has the spine and length for mid-term aging. This wine is more intense than the single-vineyard Malbec and makes that wine seem a touch dry by comparison. Wine Advocate (Issue # 228 - Dec 2016)

New – Single Plot wines from Terrazas

2013 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec SP N2W Castanos
Price: $112.50                    Sale $99.00

The nose of this Malbec delivers deep sweet herbal aromas of bay leaf, menthol and tobacco with intense typical notes of plum, quince, violet and fresh vanilla. Plum aromas dominate other complex notes such as brioche, jam and shoot, coiled by delicate aromas of fresh mushrooms and toasted almonds.
Fresh, juicy and lively.  This wine stands out for its great volume, fine layers and gentle and round tannins. Amazingly dense, yet delivers a velvety mouthfeel and a long finish.

2013 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec SP N10W Cerezos
Price: $112.50                    Sale $99.00

Artisanal wines produced in very limited quantities from our most elevated and oldest parcels: Los Cerezos (planted in 1929) & Los Castaños (planted in 1945).

When cherry trees (Los Cerezos in Spanish) and Malbec vines share the same piece of land.

A special Offering on one of Chile’s greatest producers’ wines:

2016 Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley
Price: $112.50    Sale $99.00          Quantity in Stock: 23

A blend of Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This is one of the iconic wines of Chile and has an incredible bouquet of dark currant and black cherry fruit with an array of espresso, graphite, fresh plowed earth, dark chocolate and more. Opening up beautifully on the second day very rich and decadent bouquet of aromas. A big and chewy wine ont he tongue with layers of dark berry and currant fruit, bitter coco and that graphite mineral nuance heavy still very young this wine has incredible richness and concentration but it needs time, very tannic right now, a classic in 20 years. Finish 50+ Most Excellent

Lapostolle Le Petit Clos Red Blend Colchagua Valley 2016
Price: $52.50       Sale $46.20

(93 Points) The "second wine" here, the 2016 Le Petit Clos is a very different blend from the 2015; it is now mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with just 4% Merlot and 1% Carménère, while last year it was almost half Carménère. The vineyards are now certified in organic and biodynamic agriculture. The bunches were hand-destemmed, and the grapes fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a six-week maceration. Malolactic was in barrique, and the élevage happened as follows: the wine spent seven months in new French barriques, and then 71% of the volume was transferred to French oak barriques (22% new and 49% second year), while the rest of the wine was put in oak vats. The élevage was 23 months in total. With the change in varieties, this feels very different from the Clos Apalta—more Cabernet here and more Carménère there.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Lapostolle Cuvee Alex Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley 2018         
Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76
(92 Points) There's no new oak at all on this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend with 15% Cabernet Franc and Carmenère, allowing the ripe, full-flavoured plum and blackberry fruit to express itself. The tannins add structure, the acidity welcome freshness. 2021-26  Tim Atkin

Lapostolle Cuvee Alex Carmenere Colchagua Valley 2016
Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76

(93 Points) “Old vine fruit from two parcels - one on the slopes and one on the plain - supply the grapes for this rich, dense, yet focused cuvée of Carmenère with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Showing less oak than in the past, this has classic chocolate and tobacco spice notes and a fresh finish. Tim Atkin

Lapostolle Red Blend Colchagua Valley 2015
Price: $17.00       Sale $14.96

Lapostolle Cuvee Alex Chardonnay 2016
Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76

(90 Points) The classical barrel-fermented 2016 Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay is from a zone they think is ideal for this style, Casablanca, where they have 35 hectares of Chardonnay. It's quite ripe and oaky for a cool year like 2016, hedonistic and showy, with more acidity than it usually has. It now doesn't go through malolactic fermentation.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Lapostolle Grand Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Price: $15.00       Sale $13.20
The Blend this year is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, this wine has flavors of red currant, strawberry and blackberry, with a supple and round palate.

Lapostolle Grand Selection Carmenere 2017
Price: $15.00       Sale $13.20
This year is a blend of 85% Carmenere and 15% Syrah, carmine red with violet hues. Fresh nose with red fruit notes such as strawberries and plums, along with red paprika and spices. Medium structure with very nice red fruit expression, juicy tannins and good balance.

Lapostolle Grand Selection Chardonnay 2017
Price: $15.00       Sale $13.20
Color: Pale yellow with golden hues.
Nose: Elegant and complex fruit, with apricot and cantaloupe aromas.
Palate: Fruit, with volume and structure. Refreshing and complex with a  long finish.

Lapostolle Grand Selection Merlot 2017
Price: $15.00       Sale $13.20
A blend of 86% Merlot, 12% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot
Tasting  Color: Clean burgundy color with cherry hues.
Nose: Expressive nose of red and black fruit such as blackberryalong with fresh aromas such as thym and black pepper.

 Lapostolle Grand Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Price: $15.00       Sale $13.20
A blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% of Sauvignon Gris.
Tasting  Color: Pale yellow with green edges
Nose: Very clean and expressive nose of white fruit and citrics.
Taste: Fresh and unctuous palate with long finish.

Lapostolle Le Rose Rose Blend 2019
Price: $15.00       Sale $13.20
A blend of 60% Cinsault, 17% Grenache, 12% Syrah, y 11% Mourvèdre.
Tasting  Color: Clean and clear pink color.
Nose: Fresh, elegant and delicate nose of red fruit aromas such as strawberry and sweet cucumber along with subtle herbal notes.
Mouth: Refreshing mouthfell with a long lasting finish.

Clos Apalta valley is located in Colchagua, the southern portion of the famed Rapel valley, 200 Km south of Santiago, between the Pan-American mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. It is a horse-shoe-shaped valley bordered by mountains on three sides. From the slopes at the foot of the mountain, the vineyards lead down a plain along the Tinguiririca River, which plays a key role in the quality of the vineyards by moderating the temperature, preventing extreme variations and ensuring a long, slow ripening period. At sunrise and sunset, the foothills block the sun's rays, limiting the vines exposure to intense sunshine.

Every year I make a visit to one of the world’s leading wine producing regions to experience first hand what is  going on in the wine business.  I can tell you that after visiting Chile for two weeks that the wine industry here is still in its infancy.  The potential is evident here but the locals still do not drink fine wine.  The best Chilean wines are hard to find in their mother country as the best wines from Chile are exported to the U.S. and the style of these wines has catered to our palate since their inception.  The best wine that I tasted on my travels was Casa Lapostolle’s Clos Apalta, this 5,000 case production wine's first vintage was 1997 and with the help of consulting enologist Michele Rolland Casa Lapostolle has become the best overall winery for quality in all of Chile.  Every wine in this portfolio is a contender for best in its class at every price level. 

Since its launch in 1997, Casa Lapostolle’s Clos Apalta has been causing quite a stir. Produced in limited quantities from fruit grown in Casa Lapostolle’s Apalta vineyard, a region increasingly dubbed the ‘Pomerol of Chile.  This premium cuvée, is a blend of; Carmenère, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.  Clos Apalta has won a number of international awards and accolades, including capturing the title of "#1 Wine of the Year" for the 2005 vintage.  The gravity process at the new winery begins with the hand-harvested and 100% hand de-stemmed fruit, which is crushed and naturally passed downwards for fermentation. Fermentation occurs in 21 small French wooden vats, each corresponding to a specific parcel of Apalta grapes, enabling the personality of the terroir to be enhanced in each case. Two years of ageing occurs in two underground barrel cellars, which provides perfect humidity and a naturally cool cellaring environment. The wines are then bottled and either released onto the market or sent to join the wine library at the deepest level underground.