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

The Gold Medals Continue!

If you’ve been following my blog, then you know that just two weeks ago Algodon Wine Estates was presented the Global Award in Accommodation from Great Wine Capitals’ 2010 “BEST OF WINE TOURISM” competition. This award of course follows our trophies on the national level in Argentina from the same competition: the 2010 Gold Medal for Accommodation and the 2010 Silver Medal for Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences (for the 3rd year in a row). In addition to the remarkable abundance of unsolicited positive press, reviews and write-ups- the awards and Gold Medals have literally been stacking up. It was announced last week that our outstanding wines have won four more awards! At the 9th edition of VINANDINO, an international competition of wines and spirits, Algodon Wine Estates 2006 Bonarda won a Gold Medal, and our 2006 Malbec won a Silver Medal. This year’s competition included a total of 836 entrants from Germany, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, France, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, Portugal and, of course, Argentina. The jury consisted of 35 international and 60 national experts. In an unrelated competition called CODEVIN, a San Rafael wine tasting event organized by local winemakers, Algodon Wine Estates 2009 Bonarda and 2008 Malbec, were rated to be among the top 15 wines in region, out of a total of 120 entrants. Congratulations to our winemaker Mauro Nosenzo and our Ambassador of Wine Camilo Aldao, as well as to all of our partners for the hard work they put in! Let’s all raise a glass of Algodon Wine Estates’ Gold Medal winning Bonarda, and toast to Algodon’s continued successes (and even more Gold Medals) in 2010 and beyond! --Scott Mathis

New Wine Labels, New Media Articles

Our new wine label designs have been finalized, and they look great. We will be utilizing them on all of the wine bottles from now on. There is a significant difference between the new labels and our previous ones in that we have chosen to discontinue the “Viñas del Golf” name and design in the marketing of the wine, and strictly use the Algodon Wine Estates branding from here on out. The Viñas del Golf name and logo will still represent the resort itself, however we wanted to establish a clear and distinct difference in the marketing of our wine and winery.

There is a great article on WineSur.com regarding the surge in popularity and recognition of Argentine Bonarda; “2008 could be remembered as the year of the ‘re-discovery’ of Bonarda”. You can read the full article here: Bonarda: a new Malbec? While on the subject of WineSur, we’re also mentioned in a recent online article regarding Argentine wine tourism here: Wineries renew programs to attract tourism. Both articles are good reads, and the latter addresses the concern of 2009’s potential decline in tourism numbers, and our strategy to combat that possibility.

- Scott Mathis

New Wine Labels, New Media Articles

Our new wine label designs have been finalized, and they look great. We will be utilizing them on all of the wine bottles from now on. There is a significant difference between the new labels and our previous ones in that we have chosen to discontinue the “Viñas del Golf” name and design in the marketing of the wine, and strictly use the Algodon Wine Estates branding from here on out. The Viñas del Golf name and logo will still represent the resort itself, however we wanted to establish a clear and distinct difference in the marketing of our wine and winery. There is a great article on WineSur.com regarding the surge in popularity and recognition of Argentine Bonarda; “2008 could be remembered as the year of the ‘re-discovery’ of Bonarda”. You can read the full article here: Bonarda: a new Malbec? While on the subject of WineSur, we’re also mentioned in a recent online article regarding Argentine wine tourism here: Wineries renew programs to attract tourism. Both articles are good reads, and the latter addresses the concern of 2009’s potential decline in tourism numbers, and our strategy to combat that possibility.