Last week I wrote about meeting up again with old wine friend Alex Guarachi of Guarachi Wine Partners that segued into a nice conversation with the two winemakers I was supposed to meet – Aurelio Montes Sr. (Montes, Chilean wines) and Aurelio Montes Jr. (Kaiken, Argentinean wines) – and a splendid wine tasting luncheon. Part One gave the info on the two winemaking regions, ending with the start of my tasting notes. This week I have the rest of the tasting notes (including my favorite) and the menu.
Tasting – aromas and flavors separated by ;
Montes Outer Limits CGM 2015
50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre
Got a whiff of cigar followed by char, blueberry and mint tea; on the palate it was brighter than I expected with bright red fruit, raspberry, dry with a medium acidity. 91 Eve pts.
Kaiken Obertura Cabernet Franc 2014
100% Cabernet Franc
Red fruit, peat, green peppercorn, vanilla and chocolate all on the nose; with chewy red fruit and a palate drying finish. 92 Eve pts.
Montes Alpha M Red Wine 2012
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
Developed fruit- POW- on the nose, with cherry liqueur, butterscotch and dried spice; followed by flavors that were big yet balanced, excellent fruit, pepper and spice. Aurelio Sr. said it spent 18 months on new French oak and a year in bottle before the release. 95 Eve pts.
Kaiken Mai Malbec 2013
100% Malbec
In what Aurelio Jr. called a Malbec that was “100% Argentinean taste” I found butter toffee almond, vanilla bean, milk chocolate, mint and velvety fruit up front; then dusty dark fruit, spice, with a pleasantly tart finish, 92 Eve pts.
Taita Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Winemaker’s Secret Choice**
(**I guessed a Bordeaux for that 15% and Aurelio Sr. told me that was what was discovered in a Bordeaux blind tasting as well.) The Taita series (pronounced Tie-Tuh) were all $249 SRP. The wine tasting today began with wines that were $19.90 SRP, so we got a full range. This 2007 was my favorite of the tasting. It was what Aurelio Sr. called a “glacier ” wine as the soil’s rocky makeup indicated water at some point, but a very long time ago. He didn’t irrigate, but instead forced the roots to search for water, which produced less fruit bunches. He also laid wood chips onto the ground. 96 Eve pts.
Taita Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Winemaker’s Secret Choice*
Barrel aged for two years and four years in the bottle prior to release. I got fresh blueberry, black licorice, mixed peppercorns and roasted meat on the nose; and on the palate it was that same blueberry and pepper, as well as a demi glaze/reduction sauce note, all with a perfect balance. 95 Eve pts.
Taita Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Winemaker’s Secret Choice*
Due to the rains there wasn’t a 2008 to try in this vertical of Taita wines. The new 2010 has just been released to the market. Big pungent aromas of blue and black fruit as well as cigar greeted me on the nose; then this younger wine showed bright fruit and more tannins. Will be even better with some age. 91 Eve pts.
Menu
There were several passed appetizers, including a yummy Vietnamese Spring Roll, before the winetasting. After the tasting guests were treated to Tuna Poke with Avocado Puree and Rice Crisps, Crispy Candied Walnut Prawns, Coriander Crusted New Zealand Lamb, Curry Brussels Sprouts, Hannah’s Famous Noodles and a cheese course. Wines paired at lunch, but not reviewed, included the Montes Limited Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Kaiken Terroir Series Torrontes 2016, Montes Purple Angel 2013, Kaiken Obertura 2014 and Montes Alpha M 2012. A very yum worthy pairing was had by all.
Watch it in less than one minute here.
Aurelio Montes Senior in Chile: http://www.monteswines.com/en/
Aurelio Montes Junior in Argentina: http://kaikenwines.com/en/home/
Guarachi Wine Partners: http://www.guarachiwinepartners.com/
The District by Hannah An: http://thedistrictbyha.com/
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
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