90+ Point Wine Club - July 2012
Learn the finer points of all of the incredible wines we deliver, from reviews to food pairings and wine characteristics. All of the wines included in our wine clubs are expertly researched and selected for quality, value and uniqueness.
Bodega Lamadrid - Argentina
2007 Malbec Gran Reserva Single Vineyard Agrelo
The Lamadrid winery is owned by Guillermo García Lamadrid, and the manager and winemaker is Héctor Durigutti. Lamadrid owns three vineyards in Agrelo: Finca La Matilde (planted 1929), Finca Lamadrid (planted 1973), and Finca La Suiza (planted 2004). Each wine comes from one of these Agrelo single vineyards and only indigenous yeasts are used, with no fining or filtration The winery combines a unique mix of traditional and cutting-edge winemaking. The district of Agrelo, in the department of Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, is called “the land of the Malbec.” This is one of the oldest and most premier growing regions in Argentina. Lamadrid strives to represent the best expression of the beautiful terroir of Agrelo. Their single vineyard Gran Reserva offering is sourced from 100% Malbec out of their Agrelo vineyard from vines with an average age of 81 years. Lamadrid strived for an old vine Agrelo terroir-driven Malbec that is very complex and age-worthy. Boy did they deliver. After fermentation the wine was aged for 16 months in new French Oak. That's a ton of oak for this Malbec, but there’s also enough body and richness to handle it. The wine smells minty and dark, with shoe polish and chocolate aromas. Tight and acidic on the tongue, with an oak-led set of flavors that includes coconut, vanilla and butter along with blackberry. Prickly and electric due to high acidity, but quite good as a whole. Definitely decant at least one hour before use if you have the time because it will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring and will provide prime drinking from 2015 to 2022. 93 Points Robert Parker.
Olsen Estates - Prosser, Washington
Olsen Estates was proud to be an estate winery. To earn that title, a winery must grow 100 percent of the grapes used in its wine. From bud break to bottle they work to produce wines that reflect the terroir of the vineyards. The Olsen family carefully selected growing sites best suited for each of the varieties that grow on their land. Some of the oldest vines in the valley can be found in these vineyards, which are scattered below Rattlesnake Mountain between the cities of Prosser and Benton City. The Olsen family settled on ten acres in the Yakima River Valley in 1908 and has had a strong farming presence in the valley for over 100 years. The family now farms over 2500 acres throughout the Lower Yakima Valley with 800 acres planted to grape vines. They began growing grapes in 1980 with their first block of Riesling, and in 2006 they unveiled their first estate vintage, made from only a small portion of the best grapes from their vineyards. Olsen Estates grows 21 varietals of grapes over 800 vineyard acres focusing on 100-percent-varietal and Rhône-style blends, crafted by winemaker Kyle Johnson.
Olsen Estates - Prosser, Washington
2008 Merlot Yakima Valley
This 2008 is sourced from 100% Estate Grown Merlot from a blend of 3 vineyard sites - Block 21 their warmest with slight mineral and cherry complexities, Block 17 a bit cooler with deeper soils and Block 18 which gave structure and berry flavors. After fermentation the wine was aged for 16 months in 100% New French oak. It was then aged in the bottle for an additional 6 months prior to release. The result is a Merlot that is generous and forward, with rich cherry and raspberry fruit. Spicy in the nose and in the mouth, it is lightly herbal, adding texture and length, and has the concentration and depth to develop nicely over the next decade. Only 337 cases produced. 91 Points Wine Enthusiast.
Olsen Estates - Prosser, Washington
2009 Chardonnay Yakima Valley
Olsen Estates 2009 Chardonnay is sourced from 100% Estate Grown Chardonnay. After fermentation the wine was aged for 16 months in 75% New French Oak. The finished wine is classic high end Washington Chardonnay that can rival most Californian counterparts. It pours a pale golden color in the glass. It has a very clean aroma profile with mineral, Golden Delicious apples, and light spices. A beautiful, smooth palate that glides along. It is very clean but still has weight. Intricately complex on both the nose and taste. A true treat that will age well for another 2 years. 91 Points Wine Enthusiast.
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