After mentioning a kitchen sink blend in my post yesterday, I immediately thought of a story I heard at a recent tasting.  The rep. was pouring La Posta Cocina Tinto.  Someone asked what it meant.  He said the literal translation of Cocina Tinto is Kitchen Sink Red.  The story that I enjoyed though pertained to the brand name.

Translated to English, La Posta means "The Tavern".  It represents the tavern that the growers meet at in Mendoza, Argentina to enjoy and discuss the fruits of their labor.  The back of each bottle highlights the story:

"We have tasted over a thousand wines since we began importing from Argentina. In that time, we have discovered a handful of grape growers whose results in the vineyards with specific varietals have been truly amazing--year in, year out. Our first encounter with many of these growers was at a posta del vinatero, or "tavern of the grape grower". Here they drank wine and spoke passionately for hours about their soils, their vines, and their quest for superior flavors in their grapes. We salute the hard work and skill of these growers by offering these vineyard-designated releases made solely with their special grapes."


In this "kitchen sink" red, the blend is 60% Malbec, 20% Syrah and 20% Bonarda.  This blend creates wine that appeases both types of red wine drinkers.  For those who want a bolder wine, it is oaked just long enough and it contains enough spice on the palate as well as finish for their taste.  For those who prefer their reds to show more fruit, it is extremely evident in this wine at first sip. Overall, it is a easy-drinking red that is an absolute steal at around the $13 price point.


On a side note, I know I have said it before. I believe Bonarda (Charbono in California) is going to be the new buzz coming out of Argentina in coming years.  It is showing extremely well already in wines from Mendoza and I think it will only get better as it becomes more prevalent.  Malbec has put Argentina on the map in recent years but I think Bonarda and Torrontes will be taking their wine production to the next level!

La Posta Cocina Tinto in a Nutshell:


Description:  60% Malbec, 20% Syrah and 20% Bonarda.  Great, juicy cherry and blueberry fruits shown throughout.  A nice touch of cocoa and coffee to balance the fruit and create a wonderful full-flavored red.  

Food Pairings:   Perfect for Carne Asada or Steak Fajitas.  Versatile wine that would also pair well with a burger or pizza as well.

Vintage/Price: Current Vintage is 2010.  Price is a steal at the $13 to $15 mark.

For more information on La Posta and their other wines, please visit: La Posta Vineyards or Vine Connections

One of the more enjoyable varietals that I have loved in recent years is Malbec.  It became the buzz grape in the wine world and it really legitimized Argentina in the wine world.  It had been around forever but never got the critical acclaim that its bordeaux brothers had received.  (The five acceptable red grapes in a Bordeaux are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Some consider Carmenere acceptable as well although it is rarely used)  

Mendoza, the most famous wine region in Argentina, has put Malbec on the map.  The first planting was put in the ground in 1994.  Since then, it has become the largest grown varietal in Argentina.  It thrives in the high altitude (base of the Andes mountains) landscapes of Mendoza.

While Mendoza has exploded on the scene, a new upstart region is beginning to gain steam in Argentina.  That region is Salta.  It is at the north end of Argentina and provides unique climates that help certain varieties thrive.  Their most notable varietal is Torrontes (They are wonderful and I will write about one soon.)  They are also having luck with Malbec but are using it like it as a blending grape.

That brings me to the wine of the day, Hermanos Malbec-Tannat blend.  Tannat is a interesting grape that is known for extreme tannins and racy acidity.  It is rare to find it on its own and not in a blend because of these characteristics.  In Uruguay however, it can be produced soft tannins and less acidity.  It also shows off more fruit.  Some say that Uruguayan Tannat could be the next Argentine Malbec in years to come.  Salta shares some of the characteristics of Uruguay in terms of Climate so they are able to grow Tannat as well.

In terms of this blend, it is unique on the palate.  It's a good mix of fruit (Plum and Black Cherry) and earthiness (Anise and Cocoa).  It's big but not bold.  It's on the smoother side, not the chewy.

Hermanos Malbec-Tannat in a Nutshell:

Description:  70% Malbec and 30% Tannat.  Deep Red in Color with a purple tint.  The fruits tasted were Plum and Black Cherry.  A touch on the greener side, could be a true eye opener with a year in the cellar.

Pairings:  A wonderful for gamey red meat such as Lamb (Shanks, Kabobs, chops, etc).  Also would accompany a nice filet wrapped in bacon well.  

Vintages/Price:  Current vintage is 2010.   The price should be right around $15 wherever you find it.  1500 cases made so may not be around for long.


For more information, please visit http://www.vineconnections.com/viewproduct.php?c=1&pid=292