This past Thursday and Saturday I was fortunate to spend my time paying tribute to the glorified wine of both Argentina and New Zealand. Thursday was the trade tasting and although spectacular, a bit of a sensory overload. I walked through the doors and before me were what seemed to be endless rows of tasting booths collectively showcasing over 700 wines! At first I found myself in a panic and wasn't exactly sure what my tactic of circulation would be. Moving in a clockwise direction from the outer most edge inward seemed to work best. But once my glass was in hand it was smooth sailing and I managed to cover quite a bit of ground.
I tasted some fantastic wines, some memorable Malbec, incredible Sauvignon Blanc, and a few randoms from elsewhere that were dispersed among the New Zealand and Argentinian tables.
On that note, one very memorable winery worth mentioning was Galil Mountain, located in Merom HaGalil Israel. I know...Israel! It is an understatement to say that I was utterly blown away by the red wines they were featuring. And why should I be surprised? They have the heat units to ripen and a mountainous sloping terrain with an extended warm and very dry growing season...a winemakers dream. There were 3 reds in particular that really pampered my papillae (forgive me, haha)
1) Yiron Cabernet Merlot (my fav). Consisting of 50% Cab, 40% Merlot, 4% Syrah, and 2% petit verdot. This beauty was aged 6 months in American oak and to me demonstrated a full, very well balanced, rounded and complex wine with overlapping layers of ripe blackberries and raspberries, accentuated by the spice of clove, vanilla and nutmeg. A great wine to drink right away but also showed excellent ageing potential for ateast 5 years. I'm going to call this wine Confident.
2) Yarden Cabernet Merlot. The smooth, luscious finish was what really captured my attention. The lingering of ripe cassis and damson plum flavors mingled just perfectly with the spicy, earthy, toast that was offered by french oak barrels. Almost a full minute later I was still enjoying this wine. I'm calling it Elegant.
3) Yarden Mount Hermon Red. 45% Merlot, 40% Cab Sauv, 15% Cab Franc. Talk about an explosion in your mouth...my taste buds were dancing after I had a swish-swash of this baby. Vibrant cherries, black berries and plums with nuances of fresh herbs and aromatic spices. I was left with a pleasantly nutty finish. It is a medium to full bodied wine with delicate tannins. I'm calling her "Lady in Red" because she embodies just that.
These are only a few of the many wines Galil Mountain Winery offers. I can't remember price points for the life of me but I remember thinking they were all pretty reasonable. Where can you get them? Visit their winery website www.galilmountain.co.il or else contact www.international-cellars.com and they're sure to steer you in the right direction. I highly recommend giving them a try! I don't think they know how good they really are...a very rare find in the industry! Ever heard of the Ugly Duckling Sydrome?
Saturday had a somewhat different feel to it. A much more intimate setting with about 25 tasting tables circled around a tiny stage where both the Tango and the Mauri war dance was performed. Lots of good eats as well but I must say I was in complete preoccupation with the wines.
I was absolutely gobsmacked when I came across my, with a doubt, most favorite producer of Sauvignon Blanc in all the world! Astrolabe is the winery's name, located in the Awatere Valley, and with it comes one of the greatest expressions of Sauvignon Blanc excellence.
I first discovered the wine in Toronto at Rodney's Oyster Bar and I have to say it changed my life. Trying to find the wine on the shelf in Ontario was almost impossible as it only came in about twice a year. I spoke to the winemaker's wife at the booth and she reassured me that it's only a matter of time before The Sauvignon Blanc makes it way to the B.C. liquor stores.
I was tickled pink when she went as far as inviting me to do a vintage at their family winery...how incredible! Although I didn't have the opportunity to reunite with the epic Sauv Blanc, I was able to try, for the first time, their Pinot Gris. It was beautifully complex with great acid...I don't think there's anything worse than a flabby Pinot Gris! The aroma exhibited soft notes of pear, ripe lemon, and mandarin orange zest. The wine itself was dry and medium bodied with an intrinsic minerality accompanied by dominant flavors of apricots and pear. I do know that the Pinot Gris is available now and you can find out more about it when you visit them online at www.astrolabewines.co.nz The more people that inquire and get on board the more likely they are to show up on our shelves, you'll be thankful you did.
I'm going to go ahead and list off some of the other wines I tasted, ones that I think are definitely worth mentioning sans the rediculous price.
1. Moncellier Sauvignon Blanc '08 - Not sure what it retails for but I believe it's around 20$. It's concentrated, complex, with aromas of passionfruit, grapefruit and citrus, intermingled with the typical Marlborough grassiness. I'm calling this YUMMY!
2. Tavel Beaurevoir Rose '08 - $24.99 Displays ripe fruit nuances of apricot and morello cherries. I found it to be a dry wine with a hint of red licorice with a well balanced finish.
3. Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers Rouge '07 - $26.99 It's 100% Syrah, dominated by rich red fruits and cassis on the palate and nose. It is ever so silky with a hint of coco and vanilla and a slight lingering aftertaste and mouthfeel comparable to chocolate milk (haha, that's what I got anyway)
4. Maipo Alto Valley Winemaker's Reserve Red (can't remember the vintage) $52- I know a little pricey but worth every penny. It was rated within the top 50 at the festival. A velvety, vibrant blend owith an elegant persona. Hints of mocha cassis, mint and cigar box. An investment worth waiting for.
5. Spy Valley Riesling '08 - I know it's cheaper than Tantalus' and it's just as yummy, just a tad different, a little less acid and more residual sugar. They're located in Marlborough NZ and have produced a riesling with a concentrated, intense flavor and aroma profile that screams orange zest and key limes. It's around 20$ A scrumptuous find!
Ok that's all for tonight, I'll continue tomorrow.
cheers!
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