
Patagonia engulfs the tip of South America. The southern Patagonia region includes the fruit producing regions of Río Negro and Neuquén, which are considerably cooler than the major regions to the north. This provides a long growing season in the chalky soils of the area. Humberto Canale was responsible for importing vines into Patagonia in the first part of the 20th century. These cuttings came from Bordeaux establishing the first commercial winery in the Patagonia region. Today, the region continues to grow as producers continue to plant the cool climate vines like Pinot Noir, Malbec, Chardonnay, Torrontes, Riojano, and Semillon. Quite a few of the grapes that are sourced from the region are used for the sparkling wine industry in Argentina. Located more than 990 miles south of Mendoza, the vineyards of Bodega Weinert are noted as the southernmost-planted vineyards in South America. Phylloxera has never struck Argentina with some believing that the centuries old flood irrigation systems have deeply saturated the soil creating a high percentage of sand in the soil. Another reason may be Argentina’s isolation. The mountains, deserts, and oceans also protect the vineyards against the Phylloxera louse.
Named for the former Ranch owned by Butch Cassidy and the sundance Kid.
Cholila Ranch Malbec is made from 100% Malbec. The estate-grown grapes are manually harvested, carefully sorted, and destemmed. The wine undergoes traditional maceration for 21 days with selected yeasts. Cholila Ranch Malbec is aged both in American and French oak for 9 months, followed by a minimum of 6 months bottle aging prior to release.
Deep purple color. Aromas of ripe plum and mulberry with violet hints. Ripe black fruits and fig on the palate with touches of smoke and vanilla. A truly powerful yet balanced wine with a persistent finish.
Review:
-Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points
Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is made from 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% divers.
In contrast to Chaupin, which is made from old-vine Grenache on sandy soils, the cuvée Vieilles Vignes is from old vines of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah along with smaller percentages of other permitted varieties that are grown in these old vineyards. The wine is sourced from 4 terroirs: pebbly clay, sand, gravelly red clay and sandy limestone. Vieilles Vignes is always the most powerful and concentrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvée made at Domaine de la Janasse.
Review:
-Wine Advocate 96 Points
Long Shadows Pirouette Meritage is made from Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pirouette is a classic Bordeaux blend – the 2021 is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. Philippe Melka, named one of the top nine winemakers in the world by Robert Parker, drew on small lots from Washington State's finest vineyards to craft this red blend. Hand-harvested Cabernet was fermented in 400L French oak barrels, gently rolled throughout fermentation to integrate the oak with refined dark fruit and give the wine its silky mouthfeel; the balance fermented in stainless steel, with select lots given longer skin contact for color and mid-palate. The finished wine aged 22 months in French oak (80% new) before bottling unfiltered and unfined.
Review:
"The 2021 Pirouette is Philippe Melka's take on Washington State Bordeaux varieties, and it's based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec. Ripe black and blue fruits, leafy herbs, violets, tobacco, and a kiss of some chocolaty oak all emerge from this beauty, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a broad, layered mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a stunning finish. It certainly makes the most of the vintage and it's up with the crème de la crème of this vintage."
- Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points