Dear Friends,
What I look forward to the most after completing inventory, is sharing found wines I refer to as "landmines"
We've accumulated a lot of these incredible wines kept in our cold storage, unintentionally looked over.
After being cellared a few years—they're all exploding from the glass as we revisit them now. The same thing happens everytime: "We should have bought more."
Today's last call is for two Argentinean landmines that are ridiculously great, and will change anyone's opinions about South American wines.
Clos de los Siete is Michel Rolland's property. You know, that one winemaker that consulted for Ornellaia, Screaming Eagle, Harlan / Bond, Bryant Fam, Staglin, Angelus, Pavie, Pontet-Canet, and many more:
|
|
It doesn't matter if you have a preference between Bordeaux, Napa, Sonoma, Washington, etc... as this will satisfy regardless and is in such a great spot right now.
34 bottles left. It was $50 on release. Steal it today for $34-29.99 btl.
"An impressive cab that’s also easy to enjoy." -JS 93
"I consider this a real triumph..." -WA 92
"I love its balance and purity..." -JD 92
|
|
Both wines will blow you away right now and will cellar another 5 years.
Thank you for reading, dear friends!
All my best,
—James Tran
|
|
2018 Clos de los Siete Uco Valley Red
Mendoza, Argentina
94 Points, Rank #27 - Top 100 of 2021, James Suckling:
"Ripe plum, black cherry, lavender and cocoa on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, creamy tannins. Polished and rounded with a plush, deep core of dark fruit. Lingering crushed-hazelnut notes on a long, concentrated finish. Drink or hold."
92 Points, Editor's Choice - Wine Enthusiast:
"Clos de los Siete almost never fails, and this version from a ripe and easy vintage is just that: ripe and easy. Inky blackberry and black cur-rant aromas show a waft of campfire creosote, while this feels big and round, with plenty of mouth-blackening fruit. Oak-aided blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors come with a hint of herbs, while the finish is smooth and mild."
91+ Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"I think the 2018 Clos de Los Siete is the finest vintage of this blend that I've tasted so far. It has good ripeness (14.5%), juicy but fresh and balanced, tasty, with full flavors and fine tannins. Instant gratification at a great price."
91 Points - Vinous:
"The assemblage here is made by Michel Rolland and his team, 70% of which is aged in up to 1/3 use French barrels. Dense, dark violet in color. The nose is complex in the Bordelais style, presenting aromas of plum, blackcurrant and blackberry with hints of blueberry, oak and herbs. The 2018 is free-flowing on the palate with good energy and volume. It's mild tannins still have enough energy to lend shape and intense flavor. An interesting, potent wine. Drink in two years. Drinking window: 2023 - 2030."
90 Points, Rank #53 - Top 100 of 2021, Wine Spectator:
“Dense and powerful, with plenty of loamy notes to the dark cherry and roasted plum flavors that show creamy accents. Ends with dark chocolate on the finish. Drink now through 2024.” - KM
-
Blend: 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cab Sauv, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Cab Franc
-
Aging: 11 months in new and used French oak
- Unfined, unfiltered
-
Alcohol: 14.5%
|
|
Average Online: $20.00 btl
Most Others: $20.00 btl
|
|
Our Sale:
-
$18.97 btl (1-5)
-
$17.97 btl (6-11)
-
$16.97 btl (12+)
|
|
2015 Catena Zapata "Alta" Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina
93 Points - James Suckling:
"Quite an exotic nose with a hint of passion fruit alongside the more familiar cassis, red bell pepper and chocolate notes. Rich with plush tannins and a healthy acidity. An impressive cabernet that’s also easy to enjoy. Drink or hold." (5 Apr, 2018)
92 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"As always, the 2015 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of different plots in order to achieve greater complexity. It usually comes from the La Pirámide, Domingo and Nicasia vineyards, with approximately 50% of the grapes from Luján and the other half from Valle de Uco. It contains some 5% Cabernet Franc. It fermented in 500-liter French oak barrels and aged in 225- and 500-liter oak barrels for 18 months. It's super varietal, with powerful herbal and spicy aromatics, serious and without a trace of heat. It has an elegant and fresh palate with bright, vibrant flavors and great length. I consider this a real triumph, as 2015 was very challenging for Cabernet, especially in Luján, where they avoided harvesting earlier." - Luis Gutiérrez (29th Jun 2018)
92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"While I wasn’t able to taste the 2016, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Catena Alta Historic Rows showed beautifully, with plenty of cassis and black cherry fruits, notes of leafy herbs, damp earth, and cedar, medium to full body, and silky, polished tannins. I love its balance and purity, and while it’s certainly delicious today, I suspect it will cruise for 10-15 years on its balance and overall harmony." (2/25/2019)
92 Points - Vinous:
"Bright medium ruby. In-your-face Cabernet aromas of redcurrant, plum, tobacco leaf and mocha. Suave, fine-grained and subtly penetrating, with a thickness of texture leavened by perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes with terrific building length and serious but harmonious tannins that spread out to saturate the front teeth. At once subtle and stuffed with material, this Cabernet boasts a lovely balance of sweet fruit, acidity and tannins." - Stephen Tanzer (Jul 2018)
-
Cases Produced: 525
-
Alcohol: 14.8%
|
|
- Lowest price in the country
- 34 bottles left
Release Price: $50.00 btl
Average Online: $45.00 btl
|
|
Our Sale:
-
$34.99 btl (1-5)
-
$29.99 btl (6+)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
