January Featured Wines – Zolo Zero Rose & Zolo Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

January 2, 2025 · by ·

We are starting 2025 with wines from Chile’s neighbor, Argentina. Bodega Zolo is part of the Tapiz family of vineyards and wineries. Opened in 2000 the winery is located in Agrelo in the nothern part of the Mendoza Province just over the Andes Mountains from Sanitago, Chile. The Tapiz group encourages visits to all of their wineries plus they have added a hotel and a restuarant in Maipu south of Mendoza. They are very involved in sustainability practices and research and development of new concepts in wine production. One of their projects is through their Wapisa Atlantic Wines from Patagonia. (We actually featured Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc in October 2020.) Based on popular science that 3 years of aging in a cellar are equivalent to 1 year of aging under water, they decided in 2019 to launch a research project just off the coast of the province of Rio Negro, in the south Atlantic Ocean to test this theory. Visit their website to see what they learned.

With “Dry January” on some people’s calendar, we are also trying a project to see if no-alcohol wines win favor. Both of our Zolo wines are Malbecs. 2023 Zolo Malbec is a traditional Malbec. Zolo Zero is just what it says, a no alcohol rose made from Malbec grapes. When Michelle, my wine rep, mentioned it, she said Berlin Beer Company had used it for a sangria using lots of fruit. I thought this would be worth a try to see if a couple of no-alcohol wines would be worth carrying. Once more, winee club members are my test market!

NV Zolo Zero Rose, Argentina $15

This rose made from Malbec grapes is an aromatic rose, full of berries, mainly strawberry. Light body with nice mid palate. Nice and sharp acidity that makes it delicious. This is a dealcoholized wine with less than 0.5% alcohol. It has 25 calories in a 5 oz. serving.

2023 Zolo Malbec, Argentina $15

The red color of this Malbec is intense with violet tints. Explosion of aromas of red fruits such as strawberries, plums and cherries hits the nose. Oak provides notes of chocolate and vanilla. It is called a fresh and kind wine. Alcohol: 13.6%

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August Featured Wines – 2020 Zolo Sauvignon Blanc Estate Grown, Mendoza & 2018 Lamadrid Single Vineyard Malbec Agrelo (2018)

August 1, 2021 · by ·

2020 Zolo Sauvignon Blanc Estate Grown $13

This zesty Sauvignon Blanc from high-elevation vineyards has aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, herbs, spice and orange blossom notes that persist through the finish. This is a refreshing wine for summer seafood. Alcohol: 13.5%

2018 Lamadrid, Single Vineyard Malbec Agrelo (2018) $16

Like all of Lamadrid’s wines, this Malbec is a 100% estate single vineyard wine. It has indigenous yeasts, and is unfiltered and unfined. The delicious flavors are plums, black pepper, and berries. This is a nice wine for grilled red meat. Alcohol: 13.6%

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Featured Wines for May – 2018 Crios Torrontes & 2015 Crios Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina

May 1, 2020 · by ·

2018 Crios Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina $12

This Torrontes produced by Susana Balbo is a beautiful pale green-yellow. It is medium bodied. On the nose, it is floral, youthful and fresh. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and a great minerality with tangy acidity and notes of fresh grapes. This is a great complement for carry-out Mexican or Asian food. Alcohol: 14%

2015 Crios Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina $13

This blend, also produced by Susana Balbo, is a deep ruby color. It is intense with a complex nose from each varietal: blackberries coming from Malbec, freshly crushed cherries from the Cabernet Sauvignon, ripe black fruits from the Tannat, bell pepper from the Cabernet Franc, and truffles from Merlot. A good choice for meaty carry-outs! Alcohol: 14%

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October Featured Wines – 2018 Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Patagonia, Argentina & 2018 Verum Pinot Noir, Alto Valle del Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina

October 1, 2019 · by ·

2018 Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc ($15) has distinctive, vivid aromas and zesty acidity, which express the complexity of the soil and the sea breezes of the Atlantic Patagonia region. Inviting whiffs of citrus and delicate white flowers have a touch of fresh ginger and sea-breeze. On the palate, flavors of pink grapefruit and kafir lime come together with tropical guava to create a refreshing and utterly unique wine. Alcohol: 12.5%

2018 Verum Pinot Noir ($18) is bright ruby red with orange tones. It has aromas of red fruit and roses. It opens up in the middle of the palate with elegant red fruit notes. It has round and silky tannins and is balanced and elegant. It is medium bodied and is very delicately oaked. This allows the subtle, spicy, fresh tobacco and raspberry notes to have free rein. It is considered one of Patagonia’s best. Alcohol: 13.9%

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September Featured Wines – 2017 Santa Julia Pinot Grigio Plus, Mendoza, Argentina & 2015 Dralion Malbec/Syrah, Mendoza, Argentina

September 1, 2018 · by ·

2017 Santa Julia Pinot Grigio Plus, Mendoza, Argentina                              $11

This Pinot Grigio has nice overall clarity and balance with delightful, ripe fruit aromas of pears, apple, melon, and some tropical notes of pineapple and banana. It has good balance, nice acidity, and a long, fresh finish. The yellow color has green tones. It is very delicate but has good balance and nice acidity with a long and fresh finish. Pair with shellfish, vegetarian dishes, lean fish and mushrooms. his is a perfect aperitif. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2015 Dralion Malbec/Syrah Bodega Estancia, Mendoza Argentina           $10

This blend is 55% Malbec  and 45% Syrah. The appearance is bright, deep red with violet hues. On the nose you get complex and intense aromas of fresh red and black fruits, interlaced with notes of vanilla, leather and chocolate that come from a long rest in oak. On the palate this wine is expressive and elegant and structured and with a very good balance between fruit and wood. Intense and concentrated tannins make for a long and notable finish. Alcohol: 13.3 %

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March Featured Wines – 2016 Sposato Family Vineyards Chardonnay & 2015 Sposato Family Vineyards Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina

March 1, 2017 · by ·

2016 Sposato Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina

Our third Sposato wine we have featured this is a wine with a fruit focus and attractive color along with aromas of tropical fruit, apples and peaches. The Chardonnay grapes are carefully selected from their own vineyard. Located at 1000 meters above sea level, the combination of warm, sunny days and cold nights make our vineyard ideal for creating wines with excellent maturity and perfect balance.

 

2015 Sposato Family Vineyards Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina

This is likely a new varietal for you. It is an Old World  grape that is now unique in Argentina where it is widely grown.  On the nose this red shows an intense fruit flavor – strawberry, cherry and blackberry. On the palate it has soft tannins, great volume and concentration. This wine is elegant with a smooth and delicate balance. The Bonarda has a lighter body than Malbec but full of fruit.

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October Featured Wines – 2014 Sposato Sauvignon Blanc & 2014 Sposato Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

October 1, 2015 · by ·

Sposato Family Vineyards

After six years of researching, studying and visiting the area, the Sposato Family purchased land in the heart of Argentina’s Wine Country. They sought this opportunity based on their 23 years of working with land, soil, irrigation and plant material while running their top rated landscape company, Sposato Landscape Co., Inc. in Milton, Delaware.

The farm was purchased in 2012 as virgin ground. A new irrigation system, electric and other improvements have been installed, with more to come as the winery becomes fully operational. The Sposato Family Vineyard is located in Mendoza, Argentina at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. It is located between two notable wineries, with others just minutes away. Although the Sposato’s have planted 185 acres of their vineyards, harvest is still in the future. At this point their winemaker sources grapes from various estates for each of their wines.

Sposato SB

2014 Sposato Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza, Argentina      $12

This wine is true to Sauvignon Blancs grown in the high elevation vineyards in the Mendoza region. It has aromas of grapefruit, passion fruit, herbs and spices. It has notes of orange blossom that are persistent through the finish. A perfect white for fall recipes such as chicken roasted with lemons and thyme. Alcohol: 13.1%

Sposato Malbec

2014 Sposato Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina                          $12

The grapes used in this Malbec were selected from estate vineyards at various altitudes. It has a great Malbec concentration. The wine was aged in oak barrels for 6 months, revealing high intensity of black fruits, raspberries and violets. Slow roast a pork loin with dried fruit and garlic then pop the cork on this Malbec. Alcohol: 13.8%

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