Stellina will break new ground on Thursday July 23 at 6:30 as we taste a range of Argentina’s Best Wines
as part of our summer “Under The Stars” winetasting series. Enjoy great wines, selected antipasti and good conversation while seated under the grapevines of our Italian arbor.

Argentina has a long history in winemaking, going back to 1557 when the first cuttings were brought over from Spain. Since then there has been a steady emigration of European settlers bringing both their grape varieties and their experience to the New World.

The past forty years have seen an explosion, as more winemakers have begun to realize Argentina’s potential. Today she is the fifth largest winemaking country in the world. More importantly for us, with the combination of high altitude/low humidity environment Argentina is recognized as one of the finest micro-climates for growing premium grapes.

Our tasting of Argentinian wines will be accompanied by selected antipasti and expert commentary from an industry representative.

Cost for the tasting is $29. per person. Call 617-924-9475 or go to the reservation page of this website.

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The wines at the tasting will include the following:

Catena, Malbec 

Winemaker’s Notes

The Catena Malbec presents a deep violet color with purple reflections. This microclimate blend of four unique vineyards offers intense aroma, soft texture and concentrated flavor. Deep aromas of ripe red and dark fruits are joined by delicate violet and lavendar notes, with traces of vanilla and mocha. A rich, concentrated mouthfeel is highlighted by flavors of blueberries and blackberries with a touch of leather and cinnamon. The wine has well-integrated tannins, bright acidity and a flinty minerality that provies exceptional length to the finish.

Wine Spectator – “A dark and jammy red, with enough acidity to propel the roasted plum and wild berry compote notes. Layers of smoke, toasted spice and espresso emerge on the rich finish.” 91 points

The Wine Advocate – “The 2011 Catena Malbec is produced with fruit grown in Lunlunta, Agrelo and Gualtallary fermented together with a little bit of Viognier from high altitude, which according to winemaker Alejandro Vigil had an amazing eight grams of acidity which contributed a lot of freshness to the blend. 30% of bunches fermented without destemming and as is common in the top Catena wines, these grapes from four different regions were harvested at three different points in time in search of diversity. This is very dark cherry-colored and has strong aromas of ripe plums, peach and apricot with some notes of orange rind. Medium-bodied with velvety, silky tannins, it is a good representation of Malbec in Mendoza. It is approachable now, but it should be even better in one year. ” 91 points

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Cuvier Los Andes, Grand Malbec

Another fantastic Malbec. It has a glass-coating opaque purple color with legs that ooze down the glass. It offers up a beautiful bouquet of exotic spices, truffle, red licorice and black cherry on the palate.

Bordeaux lovers will know the Cuvelier family, who own Château Léoville Poyferré in Saint-Julien. Their Argentina estate’s wine, created with the help of famed oenologist Michel Rolland, is made in 100% French oak. It is dense, powerful and packed with fruit.

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El Enemigo, Cabernet Franc

Wine Description

Adrianna Catena grew up drinking Old-World Bordeaux with her father.  She will never forget the first time dad received a shipment of wine from France and opened a bottle of Cheval Blanc for her.

Alejandro Vigil served Angelica Zapata Cabernet Franc at his wedding.  It’s as if both Alejandro and Adrianna were born with a taste for the peppery aromas, grainy tannins and freshness of this variety.

Tasting Notes

This Cabernet Franc is ruby red in color with soft violet tones. The nose has intense aromas and concentrated notes of cassis, ripe currants, and sweet spices including black pepper and cloves. His tenure provides integrated oak notes of cedar and vanilla.  Fresh impact and excellent structure on the palate, reminiscent of ripe red fruits with hints of eucalyptus and tagged black pepper. This wine has an excellent balance and elegance with a well-structured, persistent finish.

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Michel Torino, Torrontes “Don David”

Argentina’s native white varietal. Intense perfumed aromas of tropical fruits, spring flowers and notes of roses. This is an elegant and complex wine with a rich, mellow, fruity taste and clean, crisp finish.

The 2013 Don David Torrontes has delicate floral and rose aromas, with orange peel and toasted bread notes. On the palate, elegant and fresh citrus, peach and anise flavors are shaped by bright acidity and a ripe character.

International Wine Cellar – “Very pale bright yellow. Lemon, licorice, fresh herbs and ginger on the nose. Densely packed and chewy with extract, showing lovely intensity and floral lift to its flavors of grapefruit pith, herbs and spices. Some unabsorbed CO2 gives it real punch. Classic ripe, dry torrontes with a firm, brisk, very persistent back end. ” 90 points

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Luigi Bosca, Pinot Noir

Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir is a bright red colour wine, with aromas of ripe strawberries typical of the variety, with notes of violets and cinnamon thanks to its ageing in oak casks. The palate also responds to the typicity of the grain variety: medium-bodied though concentrated, refreshing acidity, fluidity and a fruity presence on the palate. Its ageing in oak casks adds them structure and fine tannins which provides them even more strength.

Wine Advocate – “The 2008 Pinot Noir spent 8 months in French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it has an engaging perfume of raspberry, cherry, and cinnamon. Very concentrated with intense sweet fruit, the wine has excellent varietal character, light tannin, and 1-2 years of aging potential. Drink this value-priced Pinot over the next 5-6 years. 90 points