Skip to main content

Wine Review: 2011 Amancaya Gran Reserva - Argentina

photo

A rewarding collaboration creates an uplifting Malbec dominant wine.

Amancaya is produced in Argentina’s Mendoza region, by Nicolas Catena of Bodega Catena, in partnership with Barons de Rothchild (Lafite). Catena is one of South America’s largest wineries.

The Amancaya is a flower of the Andes, worn by native Indian women of Mendoza.

Tasting Notes 2011 Amancaya Gran Reserva:

Color: Dark garnet.
Nose: Earthy, leather jacket, cherry, candied,
Palate: Medium body, dry, spicy cherry, light mid-palate, medium finish with heat.
30 Minutes: Nose candied cherry, dusty leather jacket, tar, cedar liner from a cigar tube. Fuller, tobacco, spice, dried cherry, sip of espresso, dry medium finish. More my speed.
45 minutes: Delivering at this point. Cherry, currant, hint of sage, integrated and enjoyable across the palate.
One hour: Creamy with apple tannin, dry cherry, dry on the cheeks, swirled across the tongue, tobacco, cherry-coffee finish with nice kiss of acid. Not heavy, uplifting and tasty. Masculine wine.

Day two: Gorgeous deep purple color. Dark fruit, violets, candied cherry and tobacco. Rich, fine tannin, dark fruit, slightly smoky and spicy, tobacco, plum on dry grippy finish. Pretty nose and satisfying finish.

Thoughts: A young wine which is still developing. Decant if you drink now. Best served slightly chilled 50-55F. Recommended.


Blend: 70% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: Mendoza Argentina
Closure: Natural Cork
ABV: 15%
Sample provided by Pasternak Wine Imports

Produced and bottled by Bodegas Caro in partnership with S.A. Les Domaines Barons De Rothschild (Lafite)/Nicolas Catena

Related posts:



Cheers!
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Three Albariños and Several Food Pairings | Taste Rías Baixas

As promised, more reviews of  Albariño wines from Rías Baixas.  My previous post ( My Favorite White Wines this Summer are from DO Rias Baixas ), I emphasized more traditional food pairings, grilled shrimp, Ceviche, and watermelon. This time, I wanted to try some different pairings to see how well Albariño wines would match. I love seafood, but I was curious about the flexibility of this variety. My test pairings began with a series of mini quiche I made at home, spinach, hamburger, tomato, dill and steak. Following are my tastings notes on the wines and the food pairing results. Results were mixed. Map of DO Rías Baixas and sub-zones. While twelve grape varieties are permitted in DO Rías Baixas, the white Albariño grape represents 96% of all plantings. Albariño refreshes as a drinking wine and appeals to diverse cuisine. Albariño from Galicia delivers for me on many levels. Bright acidity, refreshing citrus flavors and that compelling salinity which in...
Read more

2 Badger Mountain Organic NSA Red Wines Reviewed

Some of you prefer organic food, but have you tried organic wine? I had a great experience at a red wine tasting at Badger Mountain Organic Vineyard and Powers Winery. Mickey Dunne, winery Owner and Sales Director, was my host. I was delighted by the Badger Mountain Organic NSA wines. It all made perfect sense. Rejoice because these are top-notch wines, big on flavor and modest on price.
Read more

Spirit Review: Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine White Lightnin' @OleSmoky

Today I have crossed the line from wine to spirits. At 100 proof the Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine is definitely turning up the volume (ABV 50%). "Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, and Tennessee white whiskey are terms used to describe high-proof distilled spirits, generally produced illicitly...The word "moonshine" is believed to derive from the term "moonrakers" used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e., by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey." Source Wikipedia My family is no stranger to Moonshine.  That is, my great-grandfather and grandfather were not strangers. Evidently the family occasionally produced their own spirits on their Oregon ranch. My grandfather told me about his younger brother getting into his dads stash with predictable results. Grandmother also told me stories about midnight runs and secretive deliveries d...
Read more