Reds of South America

Join us on Thursday, March 15th from 6-8pm for our latest Winemaker Social event! We'll be featuring select South American reds from Via Pacifica Selections. Their CEO, Cristobal Fernandez will be on hand to guide us through wines from Chile's Casas del Toqui and Argentina's Manos Andinas. While Cristobal is not the "winemaker" for these wines he comes from a 3rd generation winemaking family and is intimately familiar with these producers. We'll be doing a flight containing a Casablanc Pinot Noir, a Mendoza Malbec, and two Cabernet Sauvignons (detailed below) for only $14. We'll also be offering special prices on these wines in the Wine Cellar next door so come on down and explore some of South America's treasures with us.

“Hands from the Andes” or Manos Andinas is named for the handcrafted wine made in partnership with small and passionate South American grape growers practicing sustainable and family viticulture for generations. Each grower's small production is vinified separately as a parcel to maximize their own expression and character. In Chile's cool, Casablanca valley, this region has a Mediterranean climate with cool misty nights and hotter days that provides excellent growing conditions for top quality cool climate varieties, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc as well as this Pinot Noir. This hand-harvested Pinot  is aged in selected French oak for over 6 months, rotating the barrels daily to improve the wine balance and texture. The last stage is a 4-month bottle-aging period for the wine to settle ($12 retail in the Orchard Wine Cellar). 

 Mendoza is located at the foot of the Andes but on the eastern side and 500 kilometers from the coast. This famous Malbec region generally enjoys wide day-night temperature variation, poor alluvial soils, low rainfall but ample pure Andes irrigation water. All of which contribute to fruit-forward wines that are well structured and easy to enjoy. The Manos Andinas Reserva Mabec is cold soaked and fermented in stainless steel tanks with gentle pump overs to avoid over extraction and after is aged in selected French oak for over 6 months. That this wine can also be had for $12 is the Cellar is a great deal!

The first Cabernet is the Casas del Toqui Barrel Series that has a very complex nose with hints of tobacco, spices and black fruits, and a soft hint of vanilla. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has been aged in oak barrels for 8 months. The second Cab is the Gran Toqui with a full 14 months in oak. It also has 5% Petite Verdot and 5% Syrah added to the 90% Cab. Its a warm and lovely big bodied Cab retailing at $22 with the Barrel Series coming in at $16 a bottle in the Wine Cellar.

 

 

 

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Orchard Wine Cellar Movers and Shakers This Week

  • Tintero Moscato

    #1 Tintero Moscato

    Sori Gramella refers to the one of the only single vineyard Moscatos, and Marco is the only producer to bottle this striking limestone amphitheater commercially. Once the 30 year old vines give up their bounty, and the grapes are harvested and pressed, they are kept in stainless steel at a low temperature to prevent fermentation until an order is received in order to provide the freshest wine possible.
    (Holding the #1 spot)

  • Sweet Sunset Chocolate Merlot

    #2 Sweet Sunset Chocolate Merlot

    First lets say that this is Not ChocoVine. This wine is actually made with eighty five percent Merlot and than has natural chocolate cream added to the mix. This is the wine for anyone looking for sweet red or the chocolate lover at home. Great gift for the holidays. (behind by 44 bottles)

  • Domanda Prosecco

    #3 Domanda Prosecco

    Yum! Soft peach and floral notes with a smooth finish. This Prosecco is classified "Extra Dry" which means its a touch sweeter than the "Bruts" that are next to it. A very easy drinking bubbly and a great price! (behind by 5 bottles)

  • Donausonne Blaufrankish

    #4 Donausonne Blaufrankish

    If you can't pronounce this grape don't worry! Neither can anyone else. Sweet berry and red fruits in this light, pretty wine from Hungary. Rich flavor with no bitter tannins. A great sweeter red that is a big seller here. Many folks feel its the only red wine for them! (behind by 4 bottles)

Fun New Arrivals

  • Amon Ra

    Amon Ra

    The 2014 Amon Ra reflects the tried and true essence of the Glaetzer style - generosity of flavor with finesse of structure. The inky purple color displays the gentle but full extraction. The nose shows an abundance of dark blueberry, vanilla, black cherry and hints of cassis with notes of mixed spice and anise. Although still young and firmly wound, the vibrant blackberry and dried spice flavors integrate well with youthful yet supple tannins with the trademark loooong and sleek finish. Meant to go 10 to 15 years to hit its prime.

  • Obsidian Cab

    Obsidian Cab

    A wonderful classic CA Cab with solid structure from the altitude and Hungarian oak. Reserved and dark on the nose with aromas of blackberries, hints of black licorice and coffee. Really nice and elegant. Touch on the masculine side with no jammy, jelly jar junk here. Wonderfully different.

  • Gotes del Priorat

    Gotes del Priorat

    A slightly different and wonderful lighter take on Priorat. The gorgeous blue slate show immediately on the nose, Carignan is there but with richness and elegance. Really pretty and an homage to the fruit. Gorgeous leather and blue black fruit flavors with spice and soft leather. Organic, hand picked and just 9 months in French, this really is a lovely wine!

  • Schieferkopf

    Schieferkopf

    Acid freaks rejoice! This dry Riesling shows the classic stone minerality and petrol on the nose with floral aromatics as well. The palate yields citrus, green apple and stonefruits with mouth watering acidity. A great food wine or one simply just to drink.