While Malbec is undoubtedly the king in Mendoza, Bonarda claimed that crown long before. This work-horse red grape of Italian origins, was mainly used in bulk table wine and now is mainly used as a blender, to to add fruitiness to the finished wine. But, Bonarda, especially ones from 85 year-old vines like this one is, can be excellent on its own, especially when oak aged as this one - 6 months in French barrels.
Fragrant aromas of plump raspberries, vanilla and violets, chocolate and star anise dominate the nose. The palate boasts an attractive fleshy character with cedar and fine spice, vanillin oak and ample purple fruit.
©copyright 2016 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 28th, 2016

Muscular, savoury, balance.

Argentine Malbec continues to lure consumers, due to price and full-impact flavour. Alamos is made by the Catena family, who have been Malbec pioneers in Mendoza for more almost 120 years.
The Seleccion is the pinnacle of the Alamos portfolio and the 2017 was considered an exceptional vintage. After fermentation, the lost were aged separately in a mix of stainless vats and French and American oak for between 16-18 months after which is was blended and aged for additional 4 months in bottle.
Smoked herbs and dry earth, savoury spice, dark chocolate, salted licorice and espresso aromas are layered with wild black berries. Smooth in the mouth it has a sooty cocoa texture and loads of structure balanced by freshness. It has a muscular character that needs pairing with grilled meats and grilled vegetables, roasted mushrooms, hard cheeses and hearty pastas.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 11th, 2021

Second Review: Nov 2016
Nose: vanilla and toffee, wild forest berries and black currents, roasted plums, sweet spices and a core of leather and smoked meat. The palate is quite ripe with expressive berry flavours, mocha, tobacco atop a smoked meaty core sprinkled with fleur de sel. Overall smooth but with powdery tannins across the tongue to add texture.
©copyright 2014 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 4th, 2016

Plush, succulent, value.
The Alamos wines are made by the respected Catena (Catena Zapata) family of Mendoza. This vintage, the Cabernet offers attractive and plush black cherry and black current jam, chocolaty mocha, pipe tobacco and baking spices on the nose. It follows through with a supple and succulent palate with toasted spice, dark fruit and a bittersweet cocoa finish. Very good acidity to balance and smooth tannins.
Pair:: Grilled steak or lamb and grilled or roasted vegetables.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2014 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 21st, 2014

Bold, succulent, value.
The Alamos wines are made by the highly respected Catena (Catena Zapata) family of Mendoza. The 2019 vintage Cabernet was aged 6-9 months in one-to two-year-old French and American oak and is boldly scented with spicy red fruits, espresso, cracked pepper, dried herbs, tobacco and seasoning salts. That salinity emerges on the palate alongside high-toned red fruits, smoked meat and brown spices. It's supple and balanced, a wine made for BBQ.
Pair:: Grilled steak or lamb and grilled or roasted vegetables.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 7th, 2021

Fresh, supple, balanced.

Argentine Malbec continues to lure consumers, due to price and full-impact flavour. Alamos is made by the Catena family, who have been Malbec pioneers in Mendoza for more almost 120 years.
Aged for 8 months in French and American oak this Malbec (with 1.5% each Tempranillo and Cabernet) delivers aromas of sweet purple berries and red cherry, violets, licorice, dried herbs, leather and pipe tobacco. It's a fresh wine, approachable and supple and very easy to drink. It has a supple plummy character and very good balance overall.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 12th, 2023

Argentine Malbec continues to seduce consumers on both price and full-on flavour. Alamos is made by the Catena family, who have been Malbec pioneers in Mendoza for more than 110 years.
It's a solid balance of sweet and savoury. Expect aromas of blackberries and black cherries, espresso and licorice with toasted spices and hints of tea leaf. It enters the palate with juicy berry flavours and rolls into dark chocolate mocha, sarsaparilla and peppery spices. Expect lovely balance and freshness with a supple weight and good persistence.
Recommended pairings: grilled meats and grilled vegetables and hearty pastas

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 7th, 2013

Second Review: August 2015
Overall savoury in style and consistent. Nose: Espresso and peppery spices, herbs leather and tealeaf atop bittersweet chocolate and wild briary berries. The palate is meaty, savoury and equally peppery with a saline character. Very good structure and acidity. A wine made for grilled meats and heavy proteins.
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 4th, 2015

Value, consistency, rich.

Argentine Malbec continues to lure consumers, due to price and full-on flavour. Alamos is made by the Catena family, who have been Malbec pioneers in Mendoza for more than 110 years.
It's a solid balance of sweet and savoury. Bittersweet chocolate with peppery spices, vanilla, dried herbs, smoke and a layer of juicy cherry aromas. The palate is smooth and smoky; dark mocha, grilled meat and black fruit flavours lead the charge. Good length with a bittersweet finish.
Pair: Grilled meats and grilled vegetables, roasted mushrooms and hearty pastas

Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2015 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 13th, 2015

Value, consistency, succulent.

Argentine Malbec continues to lure consumers, due to price and full-impact flavour. Alamos is made by the Catena family, who have been Malbec pioneers in Mendoza for more almost 120 years.
2018 was considered an excellent vintage with wines emblematic of the region.
Mostly Malbec, it also contains 6% Cabernet and 5% Syrah in the blend and offers savoury spices, wild blackberries, grilled herbs, smoked meat, leather, tealeaf and vanilla aromas. The entry is supple and flavours echo the nose; wild purple and black berries, toasted spice and dark chocolate, espresso and black pepper trail on the finish.
Pair: Grilled meats and grilled vegetables, roasted mushrooms and hearty pastas

Pairs great with Gone Crackers Canadian Chedder & Chive
 
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 8th, 2021

Earthy, levity, classic.
This Sangiovese dominant blend went through malolactic fermentation before being aged in Slavonian oak and a small amount in stainless steel. First produced in 1985, it is known for it's fruit expression and that's certainly been my experience with it.
The 2020 delivers strawberry and plum compote, leather, sweet brown spices, cocoa and pipe tobacco aromas. It has notable levity and the palate is more earthy and restrained than the nose. Spice, cocoa, tealeaf and coffee flavours are primary.
Pairs with slow cooked meats, classic Italian pizzas or hearty tomato sauces.

©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - July 15th, 2023

Second review:
Great typicity here with smoked red cherries, saddle leather, strawberry, grilled herbs and cedar with layers of fine spice. The palate is fresh and juicy, it is medium-bodied with red berry fruit, leather, herbs, tobacco and spice to echo the nose. Fine chalky tannins and well balanced acidity in a rustic package.
A perfect foil for Italian dishes and any tomato based pastas or pizza.
©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 11th, 2013

Classic spicy red cherry aromas wrapped in leather, roasted coffee beans, red plum, sunbaked earth, wild herbs and toasted oak. The palate is fresh with appealing rustic charm. Nice balance here, plenty of juicy red fruit with fine toasted spiec andetobacco trailing on the finish.
Pairs with slow cooked meats or hearty tomato sauces.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 10th, 2012

I love the classic Chianti character in this widely available and consistent Tuscan. Expect juicy cherry and strawberry jam, leather, tealeaf, rose petals and fine spice. It has an earthy tone to the palate with leather, tobacco and spicy red fruit. Expect lively acidity in this food wine and a long finish carrying cedar and and toasted spice.
Pairs with slow cooked meats, classic Italian pizzas or hearty tomato sauces.

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 27th, 2013

The leader of the pack. No wonder it's the No.1 selling California wine in BC, it was the first of a strong trend of sweeter red blends, laden with supple texture, gobs of fruit and chocolate.
This gothic labeled California red blend includes Zinfandel, Syrah and Merlot.
It is what you would expect, a plush fruit-forward red with chocolate covered cherries and berries (blueberry, raspberry), cola spices, sweet coffee, licorice and vanilla. It is straightforward, supple, sweet and spicy - entirely quaffable with burgers, chili, spicy ribs or pan pizza.
©copyright 2014 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - February 5th, 2014

The somewhat gothic labeled California red blend includes Zinfandel, Syrah and Merlot.
It is what you would expect, a plush fruit-forward red with chocolate and berries, molasses and plum cake, baking spices and vanilla. It is supple with loads of cherry, berry and milk chocolate flavours underscored by spice and vanilla. Smooth, lush - a straightforward crowd pleaser.
A perfect game day wine with grilled foods, burgers, chili, spicy ribs or pan pizza.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 30th, 2013

An attractive, and somewhat gothic label tells you that this wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Merlot.
It is what you would expect, a fruit-bomb style red with aromas of sweet plums, purple berries, vanilla and chocolate with hints of pipe tobacco. It is supple and sweet in the mouth with flavours of vanilla, ripe berries and mocha. Approachable and very consumer friendly.

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 30th, 2011

Balthasar Ress' Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus is a wonderfully balanced and mouthwatering Riesling with great finesse.
Aromas of mineral (notably slate) lemon drops and honeysuckle with, apricot jelly and marmalade with earthy undertones. It is undeniably complex - expect layers of peach, green apple and wild honey with a racy marmalade finish. It has fantastic persistence and its residual sweetness is cleansed by brisk acidity.
A perfect wine for holiday dinners, which include ham, turkey, stuffing and mashed sweet potatoes...

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 6th, 2013

Balthasar Ress' Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus is a wonderfully balanced and mouthwatering wine with great finesse.
Aromas of smoke and slate, lemon drops and wild flowers, apricots in honey and marmalade with earthy, forest floor undertones. The palate is complex - layers of peach, green apples, honey and a bit of mushroom lead to a racy lemony marmalade finish. Wonderful persistence and any residual sweetness is swept up by brisk acidity.
A great wine for holiday dinners - think ham, turkey, stuffing and mashed yams...

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 22nd, 2012

Savoury and rustic - with cherries, meaty tones, tar and crushed flowers - a brooding Chianti Classico. The entry is fresh and spicy with balanced acidity followed up with flavours of earth, leather and mocha - powerful tannins linger on the finish.
Best to decant before drinking - will pair will with roasted meat dishes.
©copyright 2008 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 4th, 2008

Second review:
Looking for a turkey wine this holiday season? Here it is... A potpourri of cedar chips and dried floral and berry notes, tangerine peel and fine spice with a whiff of dried herbs. A lovely silky texture greets the palate with flavours of rhubarb, sour cherry, kumquats and fine spices. It's a tangy and dry rose with a zingy finish.
©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 14th, 2013

The Gamay, which makes up the sole component in this rose, comes from a vineyard in McIntyre Bluff north of Oliver. The aromas here are strawberry and rhubarb, cedary notes with forest floor and some fine spice. It is dry and mouth-watering on the palate - expect tart fruit and pink grapefruit flavours with similar cedar and fine spices lingering on the finish.
Perfect for your holiday meals with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce.

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 26th, 2011

You could say that the Clark & Telephone is the most masculine of the four single vineyard Pinot Noirs that Joe Wagner makes under the Belle Glos label. The vineyards are: Las Alturas (planted high in the Santa Lucia highlands), Taylor Lane (close to the ocean and resulting fog on the coast) and this Clark & Telephone in Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara. The newest edition is the Dairyman Vineyard Pinot Noir, which hails from Russian River, also very near the Pacific Ocean.
Luscious fruit dominates - juicy cherry and black raspberry aromas tango with rose petals and violets harnessed to a core of fine spice, rainforest floor, cedar, cocoa and star anise. It is silky and plush with sweet and supple fruit yet it has firmness in its structure. Lovely acidity keeps it fresh and the finish is both persistent and generous.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - December 24th, 2013

You could say that the Clark & Telephone is the most masculine of the three single vineyard Pinot Noirs that Joe Wagner makes under the Belle Glos label. The vineyards are: Las Alturas (planted high in the Santa Lucia highlands), Taylor Lane (close to the ocean and resulting fog on the coast) and this Clark & Telephone in Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara. Stay tuned in coming vintages - there may be another coming soon.
Luscious fruit dominates - juicy cherry and raspberry dance with slightly darker fruit. Next, crushed roses and violet notes are grounded with beets, leather and forest floor. It is silky and plush with a sink-your-teeth-into-it texture. Voluptuous fruit, licorice and spiced chocolate flavours grab on for the long haul.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 11th, 2013