Download the wine list - Matthew Clark

24
Argentina Malbrontes | Salentein Salentein Argentina 25
Malbrontes
Winemaker and consultant: Mauricio
Lorca’s career began at the world famous
Catena Zapata and Michel Torino wineries;
following such great results at several other
wineries he now advises more than 20 top
wineries in Argentina.
Going alone: In 2002 he established his
own winery Bodega y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca;
here he produces his own fantastic wines.
Mauricio is one of the few winemakers in
Argentina distinguished by the American wine
critic Robert Parker with a score of 96 points.
His wines are beautifully crafted, deeply
concentrated and yet elegant.
A top spot: The winery is located in Perdriel
in Lujan de Cuyo one of the most premium
sub-regions within Mendoza and the vineyards
are planted at high altitude in the Uco Valley
at over 1000 metres above sea level.
Red and white: The Malbrontes project was
instigated with the red wine, taking inspiration
from the legendary Côte Rôtie wines of the
Northern Rhône; but instead of co-fermenting
Syrah with the aromatic Viognier, Mauricio
uses Argentina’s two most famous grapes:
Malbec and Torrontés.
Mauricio Lorca
Cleaner production: The dry climate tends to result in healthy
vineyards in Mendoza, so there is little or no need for synthetic
treatments for the production of healthy grapes. The winery is
part of a government programme called Producción Más Limpia
(cleaner production) this includes measures to improve energy
effi ciency for example, they are now installing solar boilers.
24564 Malbrontes Torrontés, Mendoza 2011/12 75cl 7.88
Shows the typical floral and spice profile that has made Torrontés fashionable recently. Unoaked, but shows weight on the palate alongside delicate
and subtle flavours accrued from the grapes' long hang-time on the vines: the vineyards are over 1,000 metres above sea level. (x)
24566 Malbrontes Malbec-Torrontés Rosé, Mendoza 2010/11 75cl 7.88
A blend of Argentina's most favoured varieties to produce a refreshingly dry rosé. Typical floral notes and berry-fruit dominate the bouquet of this
bright, almost scarlet rosé. (x)
24565 Malbrontes Malbec-Torrontés, Mendoza 2011/12 75cl 7.88
An interesting blend and a spin on the trend of adding a touch of Viognier to Syrah-based reds: a point noted by Jancis Robinson's Summer
Favourites in the Financial Times June 2010, 'Beefy but scented Argentine Malbec with some white Torrontés grapes following the Côte Rôtie habit
of adding some Viognier to Syrah. Velvety and fun.' (x)
Salentein
Established winemaking: Argentina has
been making wine since the 1500s, tracing
its wine heritage back to Spain, France and
Italy, so it is no surprise that Salentein Estate
in the Uco Valley has roots that extend back
to the 17th century and The Society of Jesus.
Up in the heavens: Not only did the Jesuits
build an estate and farm at an altitude of
1700 metres above sea level, they also
planted the first vines on the estate so that
they could make communion wine.
Local support: The goal of this multiaward
winning estate, says Winemaker José
Galante, ‘is to make exceptional wines while
supporting the local people and community
and encouraging local biodiversity.’
Global knowledge: José Galante led the
Catena Zapata Group for more than 30 years
Paso
and worked alongside numerous international
wine consultants. In the 1990s, he travelled
to the United States to work alongside Paul
Hobbs, now a consultant for Salentein.
Whilst there José started on a new path to
create superior quality Argentinean wines to
achieve this goal, he has studied winemaking
techniques in Spain and France.
José Galante
Winemaker
Environmental approach: Salentein gained ISO 14001 status
in 2010 and vineyard management is focused on sustainable
viticulture practices. Native fl ora is employed as cover crops and
all organic matter resulting from vineyard and winemaking activities
is returned to the land as natural fertilisers. The wineries recycle
100% of the water they use and continue to make year-on-year
energy savings. Salentein operates a reserve to protect about 50
hectares of native desert habitat in pristine condition.
26981 Paso Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay, Valle de Uco, Mendoza NEW 2012/13 75cl 5.85
Delicate aromas reminiscent of citrus and tropical fruit, green apple and pineapple; fresh with a touch of richness to the finish. (x)
26982 Paso Malbec-Merlot, Valle de Uco, Mendoza NEW 2012/13 75cl 5.89
A relatively light red with aromas of red fruit including cherry; the palate shows ripe fruit with a touch of spice. (x)
Portillo
24552 Portillo Sauvignon Blanc, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2011/12 75cl 7.25
Greenish yellow with golden tints; shows supple aromas reminiscent of tropical fruit, pink grapefruit and white peach. The refreshing palate shows plenty
of structure marking this out as a good food wine. The grapes were grown at the Finca El Oasis vineyard at over 1,000 metres above sea level. (x)
BRONZE (2011) Decanter World Wine Awards 2012
24553 Portillo Malbec Rosé, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2011/12 75cl 7.02
Highly aromatic with its ruby-red hints this rosé offers up fruit aromas of cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Unoaked, the palate finishes crisply with
lingering fruit notes. (x)
26980 Portillo Malbec, Valle de Uco, Mendoza NEW 2012 75cl 7.19
Ruby-red wine; displaying a fresh and fruity nose, enhanced by hints of plums, black berries and a touch of vanilla; fresh fruit flavours, supported by
sweet and round tannins and a good structure. (x)
BEST ARGENTINE MALBEC UNDER £10 (2011) Decanter World Wine Awards 2012
24554 Portillo Pinot Noir, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2011/12 75cl 7.02
The grapes were grown at over 1,300 metres above sea level on the El Portillo estate, this resulted in a long ripening period and outstanding levels
of maturity. Fruit-forward aromas of fresh, ripe cherry, strawberry and blackberry on a well-balanced youthful palate with soft tannins. (x)
Reserve
25086 Salentein Reserve Chardonnay, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2010/11 75cl 10.50
Light yellow, clear, limpid, and translucent, with greenish tints. Aromas of good intensity and complexity, with a mineral citrus character and delicate
floral notes, supported by a slight vanilla touch towards the end, as a result of barrel ageing in French oak. A gentle start develops greater amplitude,
intensity and crispness, ending with good length and persistency.
SILVER (2010) Decanter World Wine Awards 2012
25087 Salentein Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2009/10 75cl 10.50
Ruby-red wine; with good aromatic intensity, touches of roasted red pepper followed by a sweetness given by the red and black fruits and vanilla
from ageing in French and American oak barrels. Round, soft palate, well-structured with fine tannins and generous fruit flavours.
BRONZE (2010) International Wine Challenge 2012
25088 Salentein Reserve Malbec, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2010 75cl 10.50
Deep red-purple coloured wine; very intense nose with notes of ripe blackberry, blueberry and redcurrant, with subtle hints of violet. The silky palate
has a crisp, balancing acidity which shows the fruit and floral notes backed by vanilla on the lingering finish. Barrel aged for about a year in a mixture
of new and seasoned French oak barrels prior to bottling.
GOLD (2010) Sommelier Wine Awards 2012
25089 Salentein Reserve Pinot Noir, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2010 75cl 10.50
Ruby-red, with fragrant and forward nose aromas of fruits such as cherry, strawberry and raspberry, typical descriptors of the Pinot Noir from the
upper reaches of Uco Valley. Shows sweet, ripe fruit and silky tannins with a balancing freshness followed by a touch of vanilla on the palate.
Numina
25083 Salentein Numina Malbec-Merlot, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2007 75cl 17.03
Bright purple, vivacious wine endowed with depth and intensity. It has a fresh and sweet nose, with a prevalence of red fruits like redcurrant and
touches of black fruits in the background; a spark of violet adds a floral character. The fruit returns on a palate with a deliciously fresh profile which
finishes full with traces of spice. The Malbec and Merlot were aged for 12 months in French oak prior to blending and for a short period after,
in barrel, to integrate.
BRONZE (2009) International Wine Challenge 2012
Primus
25085 Salentein Primus Malbec, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2007 75cl 27.08
Intense, complex aroma of red and black berries, spices, such as clove and black pepper; the palate is full-bodied yet remarkably well-balanced
with plenty of freshness to carry the fruit. The grapes are grown 1,150 metres above sea level on low-yielding vines in the Finca El Oasis vineyard.
Fermented in French oak vats with manual ‘punching-down’ of the caps, then aged for 19 months in French oak, no fining was carried out.
25084 Salentein Primus Pinot Noir, Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2006 75cl 27.08
Shows a delicate, lingering aroma, the fruit reminiscent of black cherry jam or maraschino, with notes of vanilla and white chocolate; it is wellstructured
with ripe, gentle and sweet tannins and varietal flavours of red and black fruit. Immense care is taken with handling the fruit, even dry-ice
is employed to prevent oxidation, fermentation takes place in French oak as does ageing and the finished wine is not fined or filtered.