Bodegas CARO Winery-A First Choice for Serious Celebratory Occasions by Philip S- Kampe

Its my wife’s Birthday (January 29th). We will be in Spain ( Madrid) to celebrate this once a year tradition. My baggage will be checked, fortunately, so, I’ll be able to bring wine with me. I am going to pack a great vintage bottle of Champagme and one of Maria’s bottles of red wine-specifically an Argentinian bottle of Bodegas CARO 2016, a Bordeaux red blend from Mendoza ($60).

This is the red wine Maria loves.

 Its a very interesting wine, A wine made between a partnership that combines Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Catena Family. The partnership began in 1999. The idea was to combine Argentine and French ingenuity into one wine that focuses on each countries signature grapes-Malbec from Argentina and Cabernet Sauvignon from France.

The first vintage was in 2000, at the Bodegas CARO winery, in the heart of Mendoza.

The Catena family has produced wine for four generations, so, its knowledge of what terroir for Malbec was best was not an issue. Barons Rothschild skills of vinifying and ageing Cabernet Sauvignon from centuries of winemaking added expertise that did not exist with the Catena family. The high altitude grapes that were selected from the family vineyard came from the most respected terroir in their winery. All grapes are harvested by hand and are immediately sorted after harvest. Both grapes are aged separately for 18 months in specially toasted oak barrels. The elegance and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon marries Malbecs powerful, fruity profile.

The rest is magic and a wine that should be shared during special occasions.
Think Valentines Day!

CARO is made from 74% Malbec and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon
The winemaker is Philippe Rolet
14%abv
CARO has soft tannins, is well balanced with a refreshing acidity. Its intense ruby color and complex aromas allure your tastebuds. The first sips leads you to wanting the second. And a third....

Philip S. Kampe
Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

GAIA Red Blend 2018 An Argentine Secret by Philip S. Kampe

The postman came by the house with a small package for me.

Minutes later, I pulled out a gorgeously labeled bottle of wine from the producer, Domaine Bosquet from red wine country in Argentina, specifically Mendoza.

The red blend consists of Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon,

I poured the wine. It was dark, ruby red in the glass with obvious aromas of menthol and black licorice that blew you away, followed by  faint plum and ground black pepper odors. The fragrance was very seductive. You could stop there and your mind would be full of curiosity because the lead up to the palate taste was special.

My palate opened up immediately once I modestly sampled the first drops of this wine. I took immediate pleasure with its depth and intensity. As I enjoyed the second sip, it was obvious this was a full-bodied, silky wine with that irresistible smoky element that was married with black licorice and violet lozenges from my youth.

The intense, smooth flavor lingered in my palate for several minutes.

At well under $20 a bottle and age worthy, this is a wine to drink now and put away for the future.

Philip S, Kampe
Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

Tenuta del Meriggio’s Luscious 2017 DOCG Greco di Tufo by Philip S. Kampe

Its been less than a month since I had the opportunity to overdose on the best 2017 Greco di Tufo that I had the opportunity to sample, or should I say, drink non-stop during my visit to the vineyards of Tenuta del Meriggio in Irpinia (Campania) Italy.

The vineyard was acquired by the Pizza Family (yes, that’s their real name) in 2010. Father and mother, Bruno and Nunziz, with their college age kids, Saverio and Emilia, run the family business from their estate near the town of Avellino.

On my recent visit, I felt connected with both the family and the wine. Its not the only wine from Tenuta del Meriggio that I fell in love with, but, just the first one I will tell you about. Its aged in stainless steel, bright yellow like papayas, full of minerality, as fresh as a newborn and as bright as the sun. The rounded taste lingers for minutes, a true invitation to sip more.

Historically, Geco di Tufo was transplanted to the village of Tufo in 1660. It is truly a noble grape with an ancient origin and considered the most prestigious white grape from Irpinia. Originally, it was brought to the region 2,500 years ago by Greek settlers.

And today, I believe Tenuta del Meriggio may be producing the best Greco di Tufo in the history of the grape.
What do you think?

Philip S. Kampe
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com.

Dueling Pistols Tense Wine Blend from Terlato by Philip S. Kampe

                             Dueling Pistols Red Wine Blends Shoots to Win the Market

‘Dueling Pistols’ red blends may be considered both a disruptive and innovative wine at the same time. The wine label is tension-packed, opening a story line the consumer can be part of. We are talking about you, Gen X., the consumer. You are the generation that wants to understand the products you consume, both visually and in this case, internally.

Tension in the bottle is when the two blends in each bottle duel for superiority. Both blends are bold, but, in different ways. The Paso Robles is half Cabernet Sauvignon and half Petit Sirah, while the Dry Creek is half Zinfandel and half Syrah. Get the idea?  Competing varietals fighting for dominance only make good bed partners who work together in the end.

Somehow, the Dueling Pistols (the two varietals) emerge as one.

Its not magic, but, intrigue, on the winemakers part. Both wines rested in French Oak (American & Hungarian) for fifteen (15) to eighteen (18) months. During that period, interplay between the varietals peaked, having end products blend into one.

What I thought about the wines:

Dueling Pistols Dry Creek Red Blend 2016   (50% Zinfandel  50% Syrah)   $49.99
Bright cherry aromas, lively acidity, lots of spice, dense, 50 year old Zinfandel vines and twelve (12) Syrah vines planted in clay soils, velvety in the mid-palate.

Dueling Pistols Paso Robles Red Blend 2016    (50% Cabernet Sauvignon & 50% Petite Sirah)   $49.99
This is certainly a tough wine to master. Rarely planted Petite Sirah, with its huge, intense tannins are hard to balance. Bring on a Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon and you have met your match. The result is a jammy, dense, soft edged wine with under the ocean tannins that linger throughout the night. Sweet plum and black cherry dominate the palate.

Philip S. Kampe

Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com



 

Tenuta del Meriggio: A Family Winery In Irpinia by Philip S. Kampe

                                       Tenuta del Meriggio: 'A Family Winery'
                                        In Irpinia, Province of Avellino (Campagnia)



                                              Founder Bruno Pizza with son, Saverio

                                                Founder Nunzia Guerriero

                                          Paulo Sibillo, sales manager, with Bruno Pizza

If you have never visited Campania, a region in southern Italy, facing the dramatic coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the time to go is now. Not only is Campania home to the historic city of Naples, the Amalfi Coast with views of the Island of Capri, it is also home to Irpinia wines whose varietals, many indigenous, grow in the fertile soil of the province.

The Apennine mountain range is the focal point of the province..   

The Province of Avellino, in Irpinia (part of Campania) incorporates beautiful mountain ranges, valleys, lakes and plateaus. It is famous for its culinary products: chestnuts, black truffles, cheese, ham and more.

Many people visit the region solely for its wines. For a not so large geographical area, the Irpinia region has had its success with the excessive number of DOCG wines that are produced.

The area is well known for its Fiano di Avellino; Greco di Tufo, Taurasi, Aglianico and Coda di Volpe.  

Avellino province has numerous vineyards, many of which reside in or close to Montemiletto, an ancient mountainous town, with numerous mountain peaks topping 2,000 feet.

The mountains meander in-between valleys and rivers. It’s a beautiful region that dates back to the Stone Age.

Sampling wines from the province of Avellino led me to a Tre Buccheri award winning winery, Tenuta del Meriggio. It is a family owned winery with open space for farming. In relative terms, it is a new winery that has commanded respect, worldwide, for its 2017 Fiano di Avellino being awarded a Tre Buccheri. What that means it that that wine was selected as one of the best wines in Italy and was awarded with that honor.

Tenuta del Meriggio was founded by the husband and wife team of Bruno Pizza and Nunzia Guerriero. Together, their passion for wine led them to this estate in 2010. They purchased 100 acres of land, half of which are planted with both new and older (50 years) vines.

The two adult children of Bruno and Nunzia, Emilia and Saverio are learning the ins and outs of the wine business and with the help of a distinguished staff and consultants, the future of the winery is in good hands.

I spent an afternoon with sales manager, Paolo Sibillo. He explained that production at the winery is 100,000 bottles plus or minus depending on conditions. In future years, output could reach 300,000 bottles, if needed. Domestic sales are 70% of production, with foreign entities, including the United States (California) receiving 30% of production.

The wines produced at the vineyard are: Coda di Volpe DOC; Benevento Falanghia IGT; Fiano di Avellino DOCG; Greco di Tufo DOCG; Irpinia Aglianico DOCG and Taurasi DOCG.

The wines are produced in a new, modern winery at Tenuta del Meriggio. Principles of environmental sustainability dominate with a deep respect for the terroir exists. Vinification can be both traditional and modern. Both stainless steel and oak are used for aging. The cellar has a green roof with a wall that is kept constantly wet by water seeping in from the ground, which guarantees the correct amount of humidity.

My next article will highlight the wines from Tenuta del Meriggio.

Winery: Tenuta del Meriggio
Address: Contrada Serra 78/81A, 83038 Montemiletto (AV) Italy
Telephone: +39 0825 962282
E-mail: info@tenutadelmeriggio.it 

Philip S. Kampe

Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com 

Superstar Winemaker Alejandro Galaz Is At The Forefront of Winemaking in Chile by Philip S. Kampe

                         Winemaker Alejandro Galaz Is At The Forefront of Winemaking in Chile

Vina Ventisquero winemaker Alejandro Galaz specializes in cool climate wines. His goal through the years is to produce wines that are a sincere expression of elegance, distinction and subtle expression of the varietal.

Alejandro expressed that cool climate winemaking is a challenge. The grapes are handpicked in the morning, where the best grapes are selected for a fourteen hour maceration. After fermentation, the grapes are aged on lees for a minimum of three months before battonage.

Alejandro is a very fortunate winemaker. Several years ago, Chile, had a true wine renaissance. High technology coupled with innovative winemakers has paid big dividends.
The world has been a stage for the wines from Chile. The isolated wine producing region is protected by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes mountains to the east. These two factors have transformed Chile into a rare wine producing country that has not seen measurable climate change.
The wines I sampled are from distinct winegrowing regions in Chile. The Casablanca Valley is not close to the sea. The varietals ripen slowly and are more like a typical vineyard elsewhere in the world. I sampled the HERU Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, 2017.
Contrasting locations, the Leyda Valley is only four miles from the Pacific Ocean, where morning fog and sea breezes cool the vines. The GREY Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, 2018 was sampled.

Wines made in the Atacama Desert are in one of the driest places in the world. The sea meets the desert is the description Mr. Galaz evoked. The dry environment is home to the red grapes. Pinot Noir and Syrah, as well as home to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Vina Ventisquero produces three exceptional examples of wines from this plateau: TARA Red Wine 1/ Pinot Noir, Atacama 2016; TARA Red Wine 2/ Syrah, Atacama 2016 and TARA White Wine 1/ Chardonnay, Atacama 2016.

One of winemaker Alejanndro Galaz wines was selected as one of 250 wines with a score of 93 points or above by Robert Parkers ‘Matter of Taste’ committee. The event was held at the Ziegfield Ballroom in Manhattan this past weekend. (see photo)

Vina Ventisquero wines are well distributed in America and should be easy to find. All bottles are around $40, with the exception of 2017 Grey Pinot Noir, which retails close to $21.

Philip S. Kampe

Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com 

Lamarca and Masottina Prosecco DOC: A Holiday Bubbly Tradition by PhilipS. Kampe

We host several Holiday parties, both in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Its a great time to share wines and holiday cheer with your close friends.
I have been the cook for the past twenty-five years. Everyone seems to come for lasagna, a tradition that my wife’s mother, Anna, began years before I was in the picture.
I’m blessed to carry on the tradition.
At one point, when I was in the cheese and gourmet food industry, I would stock up on cheese and easily would serve twenty styles of cheese along with an array of various foods.
Those days are over.
Now, since my life has focused on wine for the past fifteen years, wine is the focus. At parties, though, consumer wines are my go to. That brings us to these two great bubblies that are reasonably priced and are always well received by guests.
Northeastern Italy is famous for sparkling wines. The famous Prosecco growing region is hilly and beautiful. The glera grape is abundant and is the varietal used to make these two, DOC, crowd favorites.
Both Lamarca and Masottina add that special, festive quality that defines the holidays. They are both food friendly, have balanced acidity and enough fizz to whet your appetite. I like to use them as an aperitif, before or after the meal.
The choice is up to you...

Philip S. Kampe
Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com