Joe's Winos Wine Club MARCH 2018

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ASTICA

SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017

Situated along the eastern side of of the Andes Mountains lies Argentina's Cuyo region. Bordering Chile, Cuyo's encompasses the regions of San Juan, San Luis and most famously, Mendoza. A long history of wine-making in the region has resulted in some unexpected stars. Malbec, a reasonably obscure grape brought by the French is now synonymous with wine in Argentina. For the white, Torrontes, a grape that was the unlikely cross between the unexceptional Spanish table wine grape, Mission and Muscat of Alexandria, often used to produce sweet and/or fortified wine. Several other well known grapes have seen success in the region but Astica's Sauvignon Blanc was a reminder of how little of this crisp, zingy grape we've seen so far. Astica's 2017 Sauvignon Blanc offers a bright, lime peel, flint and subtle white flowers on the nose. Surprisingly juicy and round, balanced acidity and a zesty mineral note lead to a lingering citrus finish. Astica's very value-oriented Sauvignon Blanc is bright and inviting and priced for any summer get together.

Pairings:

French style cucumber and dill salad, poultry or fish with fresh herbs (rosemary, basil, or mint), goat cheese.

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FATTORIA DEI BARBI

ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2015

The family that founded Fattoria dei Barbi is also among the original producers of Brunello di Montalcino with bottles labeled as such dating back to 1892. Fattoria dei Barbi was also the first producer to export Brunello to the USA in 1962. Brunellos are considered to be among the world's greatest wines produced and are often priced in the triple digits. The region was only formally recognized as a DOCG in 1980 and a few year's later, with producers waiting for their Sangiovese to mature in barrel, a new classification was declared. This secondary tier called "Rosso di Montalcino" could be bottled using the estate's younger vines. This would offer customers a style of their wine that needed considerably less ageing. Fattoria's 2015 Rosso di Montalcino offers a nuanced but complex nose of red currant, ripe cherry, balsamic, leather, violets, porcini mushrooms. This Sangiovese is surprisingly round on the palate with an earthy richness, red currant, plum, and under-ripe raspberries. There is vibrant acid and dusty tannins that could benefit from decanting. Give this wine 45 minutes to bring out the floral notes and to let it showcase its status as a true "Baby Brunello."

PAIRINGS:

Pasta Bolognese, hearty tuscan stews, duck prosciutto, Moroccan-Spiced Lamb