Luigi Bosca Sauvignon Blanc 2015 – pale yellow, almost clear at the rim; fruit forward nose with grapefruit and green bell pepper on the nose; on the palate, upfront moderately high acidity, dry, lots of grapefruit, bell pepper and hints of grass; medium finish heavy on the grapefruit. $17 (all prices in dollars, estimated average overseas) [Recommended]
Luigi Bosca “Gala 3” Viognier-Chardonnay-Riesling 2013 – pale yellow, color holding to the rim; fruit forward nose of fresh peaches and flowers; on the palate, soft acidity, dry, minerally – wet stone, the fruit takes more of a background here, with the peaches leaning more towards canned, a hallmark of good Viognier, hints of floral notes; medium length finish, wet stone. $26 [Highly recommended]
Mendel Semillon 2013 – straw yellow with green highlights, clear rim; on the nose floral and fruity, honeysuckle, wet stone, green apple; on the palate, high acidity, wet stone and coconut upfront, with guava and toffee green apple following close behind; fading to mostly toffee and acidity on the long finish. $20 [Highly recommended]
Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard Malbec D.O.C. 2012 – deep ruby red, slightly clearer at the rim; slightly closed, spicy nose with notes of allspice and clove, a bit of toasted oak, and lurking somewhere in the background some indistinct fruit; on the palate, medium acidity, slightly off-dry, soft tannins, milk chocolate from the oak, spicy notes, and a good dose of red plum fruit; the finish is long, heavy on the fruit and acidity. $24 [Recommended]
Luigi Bosca “Gala 1” Malbec-Petit Verdot-Tannat 2012 – deep purple red, holding to the rim; fruit forward nose of black plums, violets, and hint of toasted oak; on the palate, moderate acidity, dry, soft tannins, bitter chocolate, black plum, toasted coconut, hint of papaya; long finish, slightly bitter, mostly oak coming through. $31 [Recommended]
Familia Zuccardi Textual Ancellotta 2012 – [Ancellotta is a not well-known grape from Emilia-Romagna in Italy, where it is used as a secondary grape in Lambrusco. There are also traditional plantings of the grape in Switzerland. In the “new world” there are some plantings in southern Brazil, and this vineyard in Mendoza.] Deep, inky purple color, holding to the rim; Fruit forward nose of blackberry jam, hints of clove and nutmeg, Thai basil; on the palate, soft tannins, moderately high acidity, dry, more of the same jammy fruit and spice, bitter cocoa in the background that carries forward onto a lengthy finish. $12 [Highly recommended]
Familia Zuccardi Textual Caladoc 2012 – [Caladoc is a hybrid grape created in France in 1958 – it is crossing between Grenache Noir and Malbec – and is planted in limited amounts in the Languedoc and Provence, and also in scattered places in South America, Lebanon, and Eastern Europe.] Deep red color, holding to the rim; slightly earthy nose, with notes of old leather, plums and hints of spice; on the palate, moderate acidity, soft tannins, more fruit forward than the nose with plums and dark berry fruit, cinnamon, and sweet oak, which carries over onto the long finish. $12 [Highly recommended]
Bodega del Fin del Mundo “La Poderosa” Cabernet Franc-Merlot 2012 – 70% CF, 30% M; medium dark red-purple, slightly fading to the rim; on the nose, brambles, black olive, and red fruit; on the palate, medium high acidity, soft, slightly sweet tannins, continuing the bramble and black olive character, with a blend of red fruits, well balanced, easy drinking; medium finish mostly tending towards the fruit with a touch of residual sweetness. $10 [Recommended]
