Ricardo Santos Tasting

Ricardo Santos

And its winemaker,

Patricio Santos Wine Tasting!

Tuesday, Jan. 25th

5:00 – 7:00 pm

On Tuesday, we will have Patricio Santos in our store. Patricio is the son of the winery’s found. Today, he has taken over the winemaking role from his father. We will taste 5 wines with Patricio.

We will also taste 5 more wines from Chile that are brought into the United States by the same importer, Global Vineyard Importers.

Ricardo Santos Winery

• Family-owned winery in the Mendoza.
  
• Ricardo and Estela Santos own and run the winery with their two sons, Patricio and Pedro.
• Patricio is the winemaker and Pedro runs marketing.
  
• Ricardo Santos owner and winemaker at Argentina’s famed Norton Winery
• Ricardo Santos is the first to export Malbec to the United States over 30 years ago.
  

10% savings on all the tasting wines during the tasting! Or the week after!

The Wines

Patricio Santos’s wines:

Tercos is a relatively new winery founded by the Santos Brothers, Patricio and Pedro. Tercos means burro – the Santos Brothers have that burro-like stubbornness when it comes to making fine wine.

Whites

Tercos Torrontés (Argentina) $12.99 – Torrontés is the white wine grape most closely associated with Argentina. It is unique to that nation. Once, it was thought to be the same as Torrontés of Galicia. However, researchers have concluded that it was created in Argentina and is the product of two other varietals. The Torrontés from Salta Province is the best in Argentina. This is dry and refreshing with aromas and flavors of peaches, melons, tropical fruit, apples and grapefruit. Brisk acidity on the finish. Completely Unoaked. Brand new to Maine!

Ricardo Santos Old Vine Semillon 2009 (Argentina) $18.99 – Ricardo Santos built the winery’s reputation producing world-class Malbec. He’s always wanted to produce a classic white made from a Bordeaux grape and his friend and neighbor happens to have a 70-year old vineyard of Semillon. So, this wine was born! Semillon is one of the famed grapes of Bordeaux, where it is used to make both dry and sweet wines. This has an intensely yellow color. The aromas are grassy, fruity and rich. The flavors are figs, tropical fruit and apricots. Semillon has a nice weightliness to it and vibrant acidity.

Reds

Ricardo Santos Malbec 2008 (Argentina) $21.99 - We loved this wine when we tasted it recently – big, rich, tasty, interesting! Aromas of dark fruit, dark semisweet chocolate & figs…a little “funky” aromas at the start. Soft, rich fruit at the start. Peppery spice mid-palate. Nice “legs” in the glass. Well-balanced acidity & tannins. Long, long finish. Aged 6 months in used French & American oak. Hand-harvested. Gently pressed. High altitude vineyard; single vineyard. Organic Farming. Food pairing - Drinks well with roasted or grilled meats, aged cheeses such as Parm or Piave Vecchio…drinks well on its own if you like bigger wines.

Tercos Mendoza Malbec 2007 (Argentina) $12.99 - Juicy, soft, loaded with fruit and easy to drink! This is calling for a summer/early fall night when you are grilling or chillin'! Aromas and flavors of blackberries, ripe black cherries, rich dark fruit (maybe figs).......soft, well-integrated tannins. This is just good, easy drinking! Long, smooth finish that lasts and keeps tasting soft and good! Food pairing - steal, beef (hey! This is Argentine wine!), lamb....mushroom dishes.....drinks well without food b/c the tannins are so soft.

Tercos Sangiovese 2008 (Argentina) $12.99 – Italian immigrants brought the Sangiovese grape with them to Argentina. This is a straightforward wine – it tastes good with nice fruit and is light-medium bodied. Perfect for a party or dishes featuring tomato sauces. Aromas and flavors of fresh strawberries and black currents. Well-balanced fruit and acidity.

Global Vineyards Importers Wines
with David Joseph from Davine Wines

Whites

Peñalolén Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Chile) $12.99 - Big hit at a tasting this Spring! This is a crisp, clean delicious Sauv. Blanc. Aromas of oranges and lemons. This also has flavors of tropical fruit, ginger and citrus. Brisk, crisp acidity and a clean finish. Refreshing. 100% Sauvignon Blanc aged and fermented in stainless steel. The vineyards are in Casablanca Valley. Food pairing – seafood, lobster, Shrimp Scampi, Thai food. Sitting on a deck in the sun! Food & Wine Magazine, “Buy by the case!”

Apaltaqua Reserve Chardonnay 2008 (Chile) $12.99 - This is a wonderful Chardonnay that is neither Napa Valley nor is it Burgundy. This winery is probably Chile’s pioneer when it comes to biodynamic farming. Aromas and flavors of peaches, grapefruit and tropical fruit. This is crisp, juicy and refreshing. The finish is long and clean. From Casablanca Valley. Food pairing – salmon, lobster, grilled chicken, creamy pasta dishes.

Reds

Peñalolén Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Chile) $19.99 - Delicious wine! Big hit at our March tasting! This has a smooth, soft texture – velvety! Aromas of violets, mint, baking spices and berries. The flavors are full of berries, cinnamon, nutmeg and a little pepper. Blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Aged in French oak for 12 months. Will drink well through 2014. The vineyards are in the Maipo Valley. Food pairing - drinks well with or without food. Goes great with steak, lamb, ribs. Wine Spectator, 88 points

Viña Maquis Calcu 2007 (Chile) $13.99 - This is delicious! Big hit at a tasting! Tasty little blend! Nice minerals, ripe tannins, baking spices, red fruit, and subtle oak in the flavors and aromas. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Cabernet Franc (15%), Carménère (30%) and Petit Verdot (5%) blend. In the local "Mapuche" language, "Calcu" means "healing doctor" or "magician." Indeed, the winemakers have created another magical "Super Chilean!" From Colchagua Valley. Food pairing - pasta, grilled meats, mushroom dishes, etc. Drinks well without food. Wine Enthusiast, “Best Buy;” Robert Parker, Wine Advocate,“Excellent Value”

Viña Maquis Lien 2006 (Chile) $17.99 - Delicious! Rich, lush wine! Aromas and flavors of mocha, toast, ripe plums, blackberries & blueberries. Fleshy, ripe and rich. Hints of loamy earth. Not too tannic. Low-yield vines. All of the grapes are hand-sorted at the winery. 42% Syrah, 30% Carmenère, 9% Petit Verdot, 12% Cabernet Franc & 7% Malbec. Barrel aged for 12 months in French oak. “Lien” means silver in Chile’s native Mapucha language. The lizard on the label is an example of fine silversmithing in old Chile. From Colchagua Valley. Food pairing - grilled meats, steak, etc. Pasta dishes. Drinks well without food. Michael Franz, Wine Review Online, 91 points, “Wine of the Year; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 90 points