The Armantes Estate
Armantes is made at the Bodega San Gregorio, a cave co-op founded in 1965 that counts 250 members. It is located in the Ribota River Valley, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the city of Calatayud. D.O. Calatayud is located in Aragon, a province unparalleled in Spain by its variety of landscapes (lush river valleys, mountainsides and semi-desert areas.) The name Calatayud derives from a Moorish governor named Ayub who built a castle (qalat) at the confluence of the Jalon and Jiloca rivers (qalat Ayub.) There has been thriving population here as far back as Roman times when the old city of Bilbilis was used as an important staging-post for the Roman legions on their way north to Gaul.
The Armantes Vineyards
The coop cultivates 900 hectares (2,200 acres) of primarily Garnacha (70%) and Tempranillo (20%) with some white Macabeo and other varieties. Most of the vines are at least 40 years old and some are 50+. The vines, planted “en vaso”(head-trained) are not irrigated, offering very low production levels. Local soils are rich in limestone, marl and slate, providing plenty of opportunities to make good wine on a regular basis of which Armantes is a perfect example.
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M by Michael Mondavi Red Blend is made from 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec, Only 16 barrels produced.
M starts with Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted to Cabernet Clone 4 on 110R rootstock, which produces structured fruit with ample tannins and acid to balance the concentrated dark fruit flavors. In order to perfect his process, Rob Mondavi, Jr. consulted with viticulturist Danny Schuster to help unlock the secrets of his family’s Animo Vineyard. Rob and Danny harness an organic natural approach to the vineyard that exemplifies the beautifully, unique attributes of this site.
Linear and precise, the 2016 M by Michael Mondavi opens with expressive aromas of quince, plum, juniper, cassis, blackberry & dark roasted coffee beans. With time and swirls of air, notes of dried rose petals, coriander, cinnamon and clove develop. This wine enters the palate with subtle tannins at first, and soon broadens into a silky expanse of vanilla bean, cocoa, roasted dates, black cherry, and orange blossom tea. The evolution of flavors continues with candied figs, bramble-berry, and cocoa covered strawberries. Enticing and enjoyable now, additional cellaring will surely allow further detail and refinement to develop. Blend: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
Review:
Linear and precise, the 2016 M by Michael Mondavi opens with expressive aromas of strawberry, plum, juniper, cassis, blackberry & dark roasted coffee beans. With time and swirls of air, notes of dried rose petals, coriander, cinnamon and clove develop.
96 Points - James Suckling
Produced in South Benedetto di Lugana. 100% Turbiano (clonal type of Trebbiano di Lugana)
The grapes are harvested exclusively from our own vineyards; harvesting is strictly manual in small 17kg-crates. Guyot, double arc training method.
A brief contact on the skin, stainless steel-controlled fermenting.
Intense straw yellow color with green tinges. Exotic notes, candied fruit and citrus, warm and very deep on the nose. Widespread expressive finesse; to the palate the texture is rich and persistant. Pairs best with fish-based plates, soup, pasta or rice, white meat.