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Shannon’s Adventure in Argentina
Shannon Sprentall and Laura Catena, Proprietor of Luca Vineyards and daughter of Nicolas Catena.
Argentina was quite an adventure thanks to a fearless tour guide who led the way to meaty meals, scrumptious wine and quality company. One of the best “work” trips I have ever been on! Here are the highlights of my Argentina trip 2010:
Jan. 30th – Leave USA for ARG
Jan. 31st – Buenos Aires, lunch, sightseeing, dinner
Feb. 1st – Leave for Mendoza (2 hour flight) – check in, visit Mendel, dinner at 9 with Mapema
Feb. 2nd – Mendoza – Paulucci, Pizzella, Laborde & Tikal vineyards – 1884 (world acclaimed restaurant in Mendoza, at Catena winery)
Feb. 4th – Mendoza/Agrelo – Dominio del Plata (Crios, Ben Marco, etc…), dinner with Susana Balbo
Feb. 5th – Tikal day
Click here to see more pictures from my trip!
Brunellos, Pasta Cars & VinItaly
A Pasta Car at VinItaly
Our first day at Vinitaly was a full one with 140 plus wines tasted. Of that group we were fortunate to find almost 10 that will probably appear on B-21 shelves in the future. It may not sound like much but that is well above the average!
We completed tasting around 5:30pm after 8 hours with barely a break. Bob commented that we were lucky because in Bordeaux they usually continue tasting right through dinner.
- Steve Rayman, B-21′s Director of Wine and Italy Correspondent
About 1/3 of the Brunellos at Vin Italy.
Reporting LIVE from Vin Italy 2010
Arriving in Verona for Vin Italy
I arrived in Verona today and the weather is tropical. The town is full of students on Easter break and the wine trade. An odd combination to say the least. Bob is here too having driven in from France where he was tasting 2009 Bordeaux.
Tomorrow I begin serious tasting. But today I’m relaxing on the piazza and enjoying the view.
- Steve Rayman, B-21′s Director of Wine & Italy Correspondent
Day 1 & 2: Margaux & Latour’s 2009 Second Wines are Remarkable
Cellar of Latour
March 28:
Leoville Las Cases backyard renovation
Comparisons to 2000 and 2005 so far seems unfounded after tasting 100 or so 2009′s today.
Both ’00 and ’05 had extraordinary level of homogeneous success; that is, all levels of wine participated in the success of the vintage.
This was apparent while tasting the wines of Fronsac where 00, 03 and 05 superior at this point. Moulis wines topped by Chass-Spleen did not share in the success of 00 or 05. From Margaux stunners Lascombes, Brane Cantenac and Rausan-Segla are certainly at the level of 05 and the latter two probably exceeding their excellent 05′s. However with many other Margaux this was not the case.
St. Estephe disappointed although Cos Labory is excellent. The ’00, ’03 and ’05 St. Estephe are superior of the wines tasted.
Walking through Chateau Margaux
Most samples were drawn from barrels on Friday the 26th. I am looking forward to tasting other sample lots to corroborate.
Day 4: The Road to Napa with Steve
The evening started with cocktails at a small bar near Union Square called Cantina. Unremarkable name but the concoctions were superb.
2007 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape $199.00
All manner of fresh herbs and fruit garnishes are expertly employed to create tasty and lovingly crafted drinks. This is a must stop for fans of the ideal cocktail.
Later we were invited to dinner at one of San Francisco’s finest restaurants, Boulevard. One of the pricier too. Yikes. Food was excellent especially if you are a meat lover. Bob and I both felt the lamb t-bone was the best lamb we had ever tasted. BTG Tablas Creek Cote de Tablas was tasty as was Chave CDR but the wine of the night was the young but clearly outstanding 2007 Clos du Pape CDP. Its the finest young CDP I’ve tasted and I think RP’s score is right on. It is fully ripe but somehow not overripe and the flavors are expansive and the finish endless.
Day 3: The Road to Napa with Steve
Gnarly Head Zin $6.99
We were blessed with cool sunny weather today for the ZAP tasting. It is indoors but in two large warehouses right on San Francisco Bay so we were exposed to the elements when traversing between them. Despite reports of frost I found several 2008 Zins with much to like. Some great ones actually. Some nice 2007s are still in the market too but they are becoming harder to find. The best overall group of zins had to be Seghesios. 2008s and 2007s are tasting good there. We found a few new leads too which I’ll report on once secured.
BTW Gnarly Head was the best value for the 5th year in a row! It is very impressive for the price.
Day 2: The Road to Napa with Steve
Well you don’t see much Charbono out there. We’ve handled a few at B-21 over the years including Robert Foley and Tofanelli. Only 60 acres of it are planted in the entire world! Charbono seems to originate in France’s Savoie but its flavor profile is decidedly more Italian reminiscent of a combination of very fine Sangiovese and Barbera. In any case last night I think I tasted the finest example of Charbono I’ve ever had. It is from very old vines in Napa that have been tended by the same family for three generations. Look for it to be available later this year.