This Malbec comes from a 90 year-old vineyard in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza that sits at 950 meters above sea level. It has been aged in French and American oak barrels and offers aromas of mixed berry fruits, vanilla and cocoa, a hint of Lujan violets and some roasted herbs. The palate is fresh and the berry flavours are lashed with exotic spices like cloves. A supple mouthfeel leads to firm, ripe tannins and a long, sweetly spiced finish.
Very tasty.

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 5th, 2011

From a vineyard panted in 1943 that sits over 1000 meters above sea level, this is a fantastic example of Argentina's indigenous Torrontes grape.
Here plenty of pretty floral and stone fruit aromas are lashed with lime oil, fine minerality and exotic spices. Snappy and fresh on the palate - it's dry but with a kiss of fruit sweetness and flavours of peach cider, warm spice and rose water are hilighted by tangy lime zest. The finish is long and mouth-watering.
A wine that will sing with medium-spice dishes and bold tangy cheeses.

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - February 23rd, 2011

From the Wente Family Estates, this label pays homage to the Hayes, a family of Californian ranchers. This wine is made from Chardonnay grown in sustainable vineyards in Monterey and Livermore. And, like it's red companion, the Hayes Ranch Cabernet, this Chardonnay will please a crowd.
Tropical fruits and spiced nuts, creamy caramel and orangeblossom aromas roll into similar flavours - pineapple, spiced caramel, vanilla and some toasted oak. It has a nice weight and suitably fresh palate for sipping solo or pairing with buttery cornbread.

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 6th, 2011

Cliff Raven was a legendary tattoo artist and the Cliff Raven label pays tribute to him. One of the founders of the tattoo renaissance who was known for "laying in the ink" he would produce colourful skin works that stayed vibrant for years.
This wine will linger too - it launches with aromas of sweet cherries and blackberries, chocolate and vanilla with floral undertones. There is some nice structure here, it is juicy with a solid backbone and firm but ripe tannins. Similar flavours of dark fruit, cocoa and spicebox with espresso lingering on the finish.

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - March 22nd, 2011

Named for the territorial Siete Cuchillos (Seven Knives) bird found in Mendoza this concentrated Malbec from the appellation of Lujan de Cuyo offers black cherry, blackberry, chocolate, cedar and vanilla aromas with vauge savoury undertones. The palate is supple but with a fine, powdery texture that carries flavours of black fruit, white pepper and mixed spice, a slightly saline minerality and roasted/char flavours lingering on the finish.
Full-bodied and dense enough for grilled meat or aged, crumbly cheese.

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - February 22nd, 2011

Potent!
This fantastic Malbec hails from a 90 year-old vineyard in the respected Malbec producing appellation of Lujan de Cuyo in Mendoza.
Fruit driven - loads of black currents and black raspberries, fragrant crushed flowers and cedar chips, tobacco and molten chocolate. The palate is supple, quite slick and very concentrated. There is dense fruit and plenty of spice plus saline minerality - coffee and spice flavours linger with powdery tannins on the finish.
Suggested drinking: now thru 2015

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 5th, 2011

From the Wente Family Estates, this label pays homage to the Hayes, a family of Californian ranchers.
This approachable and easy-drinking Cabernet also contains 14% Tempranillo and 11% Merlot.
There are appealing aromas of cassis and plums, vanilla, mocha and leather followed by a smooth and fresh palate of black currents, plums, spiced cocoa and finally espresso, that lingers across the finish.
Great all around crowd pleaser.

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 6th, 2011

The Quattrocchi family (originally from Italy) has been making wine in Mendoza since the 1970s.
This is without a doubt a generous and fragrant wine - expect blueberries and vanilla, sweet, exotic spices and a potpourri of crushed flowers and liqueur. The palate is supple and fresh (but not overblown or boozy) rich fruit spiked with sweet spice flavours dominate and smooth integrated tannins linger.
Delicious!

©copyright 2011 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Diva reviewed - April 4th, 2011