Wine & Spirits - June 2013 - (Page 81)

IMPORTED NEW RELEASES Our blind panels tasted 599 new-release imported wines for this issue. Our critics rated 66 as exceptional (90+) and 37 as Best Buys. Patricio Tapia reviews Argentina, Chile and Spain; Tara Q. Thomas reviews Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM and Romania. Find a complete list of wines tasted and all reviews at wineandspiritsmagazine.com. A RGE N T I N A W HIT E TorronTes 110636 89 | Tilia $11 2011 Salta Torrontés (Best Buy) ^ This is remarkable in its structure, a firm and steadfast presence from which all its tropical fruit flavors and floral scents emerge with grace. A serious torrontés for sardines. § Winebow, NY foothills, manages to offer fresh wines. The influence of the altitude reads in this red’s grip and electricity: While it’s generous in ripe red and blue fruits, the vibrant acidity perfectly balances its sweetness. It’s classic malbec with aromas of violets and raspberries augmented with a touch of toast from the barrel. § Winebow, NY A RGE N T I N A RE D freshness and vitality at this price. The bright cherry and blackberry flavors would make a good accompaniment to blood sausage. § Vias Imports, NY 110765 88 | Conquista $9 2011 Argentina Oak Cask Malbec (Best Buy) ^ Impressively elegant for the price, this malbec is fresher, tarter and spicier than most contemporary versions. Juicy and vibrant with a smooth texture, it calls out for empanadas. § Prestige Wine Group, St. Paul, MN Bonarda 110793 90 | Zuccardi $33 2011 Mendoza Emma Bonarda ^ As juicy and approachable as bonarda can be at its best, this is sweet and lush with raspberry flavor. The texture is so soft that the wine seems to skate over the palate, yet the acidity is tense and firm, keeping the ample fruit lifted. This bonarda comes primarily from vineyards planted in the Santa Rosa zone in 1979. § Winesellers, Niles, IL CaBerneT sauvignon 110966 92 | Weinert $24 2005 Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon ^ With seductive notes of meat and cured leather, this cabernet is generous in spice, nut, coffee and dried cherry flavors. With its serious, firm structure and complex flavor, it’s an excellent example of Weinert’s old-school style, a rare traditionalist in the contemporary panorama of Argentine wines. § Broadbent Selections, San Francisco, CA 110835 90 | Dom. Jean Bousquet $11 2012 Tupungato Cabernet Sauvignon (Best Buy) ^ Scents of chocolate and sweet spices speak of the heat that ripened this voluptuous cabernet. Decadently rich in texture, this will drink well with aged cheeses. § Domaine Bousquet USA, Manhasset, NY 110673 92 | Noemía $129 2010 Patagonia-Alto Valle del Rio Negro Malbec ^ From a vineyard planted in 1932, this wine’s concentrated old-vine flavors are slow to emerge, circulating around leather and barnyard at first. After oxygen kicks in, the flavors become fresher and fruitier, pointed toward cherries and spice. A firm and sturdy structure frames the wine, crisp acidity keeping it long and lively. § Vias Imports, NY 110653 90 | Catena Zapata $24 2010 La Consulta Malbec ^ Generous in flavors and aromas of red and blue fruits, this malbec moves voluptuously across the palate, robust and sweet. It’s mouth-filling and decadent, a hedonist’s pour. § Winebow, NY 110566 90 | NQN $15 $140 2012 Patagonia Malma Finca La Papay Malbec (Best Buy) ^ Both long and concentrated, this has a rich sweetness of very ripe fruit, a silkiness that’s seductive and makes it tremendously drinkable. And yet it’s also detailed, revealing flavors of violets and spices. An excellent display of what southern Argentina’s vineyards can produce. § Vias Imports, NY 110564 2009 Mendoza Gualtallary Adrianna Vineyard Malbec ^ Even in warm years, the Gualtallary zone, at 5,000 feet in the Andean 111013 88 | Manos Negras $15 2012 Mendoza Malbec (Best Buy) ^ Rich in acidity, this glides gracefully across the palate, exuding charming dried cherry flavors and violet scents. It’s so easy to drink it’ll be a star at a barbecue. § Vino Del Sol, Corralitos, CA red Blends 111094 90 | Angulo Innocenti $45 86 | Don Miguel Gascón $15 2010 Mendoza La Consulta Unisono ^ There is life in this wine, a freshness and vitality. The alcohol is a bit high, but the strength of the pure, ripe red fruit flavors carries the wine, a juicy, vivacious blend of malbec with cabernets sauvignon and franc that would pair well with a beef braise. § Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL 110664 2012 Patagonia Picada 15 Malbec (Best Buy) ^ It’s not easy to find a malbec with such MalBeC 110630 92 | Catena Zapata 89 | NQN 2011 Mendoza Colosal (Best Buy) ^ Malbec’s velvety texture is on full display in this wine, a blend that includes bonarda, syrah and cabernet sauvignon. It’s soft and red-fruited, charming and direct. § E&J Gallo, Modesto, CA $14 WINE & SPIRITS JUNE 2013 81 http://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com http://www.bodeganoemia.com http://www.vinodelsol.com/thewineries/manosnegras.html

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Wine & Spirits - June 2013

Wine & Spirits - June 2013
Editor’s Note
Happenings
Fined & Filtered
Letter from Bordeaux
Mezcal
Destination: Atlanta, GA
Napa Cabernet, Interrupted
Tempranillo à la Chambolle
Mezcal in Mexico City
Value Brands of the Year
Introduction
Top Values of the Year at $15 or less.
Ribera del Duero
Southern France
Southern Italy
Hungary
American New Releases
Imported New Releases
Books

Wine & Spirits - June 2013