Algodon Food, Algodon Wine Update

I am very excited to tell you about Chez Nous’ Algodon Black Label Burger.   It’s dynamite!  Truly.  In fact, it’s worth the trip down to Buenos Aires for this meal alone.  The burger is made using only the highest quality of Certified Black Angus Tenderloin and braised lamb, and includes a very special whisky sauce that is extraordinary.  You have to taste it for yourself.  Algodon Mansion’s Executive Chef Antonio Soriano has done a terrific job with this (as he has with the rest of the menu), and our Black Label Burger is very appropriately named.

At Algodon Wine Estates, Senior Wine Advisor Marcelo Pelleriti has submitted his latest report on our vines since his last recent visit.  Among other things, Marcelo said that the recent work done on the vineyard is really starting to show and that the vines are looking great.  They’ll soon begin the maturity analysis for our white varieties; Semillon, Chenin and Chardonnay.  Our team is also beginning the micro vinification preparation for our 2010 Chardonnay.  Very exciting.

- Scott Mathis

Marcelo Pelleriti

While in the office the other day, we were discussing the significance of the awards won by the newest addition to Algodon Wine Estates’ wine panel, Senior Advisor Marcelo Pelleriti.  His wines have received several ratings in the 90s (some as high as 98) from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate.  For those of you who don’t know, Robert Parker is arguably the most influential wine critic in the world.  His newsletter, The Wine Advocate, is a bimonthly publication whose published ratings dramatically affect prices and demand for the wines it reviews.  In fact, according to this website: 

“Robert Parker's influence on fine wine prices cannot be overstated. As one observer once noted, ‘When Robert Parker spits, the world listens’. Historically the wines that Robert Parker gives high scores to, particularly scores over 90 points, tend to be the wines that show the biggest increase in value. Many Bordeaux producers now wait for Parker's ratings before setting the release price of their wines.”

In addition to working with us, Marcelo also serves as Enologist to Bodega y Viñedos Monteviejo and he produces several wines related in some way to the celebrated Clos de Los Siete (including Clos de Siete) in Mendoza.  I mention this of course, because in addition to the wines in France that he received high marks in the 90s for, several of his Mendoza wines received comparable marks in the 90s as well. 

Marcelo has mentioned that he feels our Bonarda in particular can someday amount to being rated “among the best in the world”.  Yes, in the world.  Given the often praised soil quality of Cuadro Benegas (where we are located), and Marcelo’s remarkable resume, I don’t hesitate to think that he may very well be the one to get us there.

-Scott Mathis

Algodon Wine is on the right track!

Happy New Year once again, everyone.  I hope your celebrations were enjoyable.

After a recent private tasting, our wine advisor and Master of Wine Anthony Foster shared with us his personal thoughts on our latest 2008 and 2009 vintages.  He says we have some real potential with this year’s vintages, and that some of our wines are “real stars”.  He even recommends submitting two or three of them to international wine competitions in the future, as he feels confident that they will garner accolades.

Here is a preview of our 2008 label designs.  They look great!

We are also all very happy with the hiring of our new wine advisor, Marcelo Pelleriti.  Marcelo recently earned 98 point ratings for wines with which he was associated with (Chateau La Violette and Chateau Le Gay) from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate.  Marcelo will join our wine panel in the planning and execution of the betterment of our vineyards, harvest and winemaking.

We are on the right track!

-Scott Mathis