MAKING THE CASE for Vino!

By TOM FIRTH

Over the years, I’ve gotten so used to writing things, or making recommendations months (sometimes even more than a year) in advance. For Making the Case, much to our team’s delight, I like to make these suggestions for print as late as possible. In some ways, it’s to ensure things are the correct or most current vintage, but also – I want to see what the weather will bring.

This month, all these recommendations are from countries where Spanish is the most common language. Chile, Argentina, and Spain – classic wine producing countries that understand balancing value and quality well, and if we are fortunate enough to have an early spring, these are all wines that work so very well when dinner is coming from the smoker or the grill. Mostly reds this month, but these two whites are pretty damn good too - or as one might say in Spanish, “Bastante maldito bueno!”

Find these wines by searching the CSPC code at Liquorconnect.com; your local liquor store can also use this code to order it for you. Prices are approximate.

Luigi Bosca De Sangre 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina

The well-known Bosca brand has been hitting it out of the park for years and years, and the De Sangre line is some of their best offerings. Their cab is sourced from both Lujan de Coyo and Uco Valley, and is rather sleek and supple. Cassis and cherry fruits, and mild capsicum tones hold the nose together, but on the palate…. all big tannin and cherry cola with a firm, bitter back end from some serious tannins. Very well made and a pleasure to drink – especially when that earthy liquorice note kicks in. Delicious. CSPC 871580 $30-33

Tom has been waxing on (and on) about wine, beer, and spirits for more than 25 years and freelances, consults, and judges on beverages all year long. He is the Managing Editor for Culinaire Magazine, and the Competition Director for the Alberta Beverage Awards.

For those a little tired of the “in your face” grassy New Zealand examples, Chile is a stunning place for a slightly different expression. A little grassy of course, but more focused around melon and lime fruits, it’s on the palate that this really shines with balanced acids, a slightly juicer mid-palate, and a more perfumed finish. Delicious.

CSPC 542472 $20-22

Chenin blanc from Chile? Yes please! Top shelf in every regard, this chenin was fermented in amphora in smaller batches resulting in a softer expression of chenin blanc with honey and red berries on the nose, and a mild perfume character. Wow, this is great on the palate too with pure varietal expression but a richness (not sweetness) from the amphora. Interesting, complex, and exciting to drink.

CSPC 878909 $26-30

Beau Bonhomme 2020 Organic Red Jumilla, Spain

Winemaker Nathalie Bonhomme has been making some incredible deals on exceptionally well made wines for some time and the organic Beau Bonhomme is no exception. Made with monastrell, fruits are a little dark and deep with a bit of plum and cherry leading the way on the nose and palate. Full flavoured with good weight and smooth tannins and a slightly chocolatey finish, this is a solid pairing with beef, stews, and even burgers.

CSPC 612812 $20-22

The Finca Los Primos is one of the rock solid, damn good deals of Argentine malbec. Always a stellar price with dark plum fruits on the palate, dried herb on the nose, and that opulence, almost generous depth that malbec does so well. Tastes like a much more expensive bottle, but a fine treat for those wonderful homemade burgers!

CSPC 632919 $17-19

Polished and refined, this is darn good grenache that is organic too. The nose evokes a little cocoa with raspberries and a mild herbaceousness, and in the mouth, lighter bodied with great acids and tannins in balance. But it’s those fresh fruits that sing right through to the graceful finish. A stunning bottle that would match nicely with charcuterie, pork, or hard cheese.

CSPC 784387 $30-35

Spain

A bit of a weeknight wine that just happens to be organic, but also wellpriced and a rather friendly expression too that would also work for a nice, casual barbecue. Fruit aromas evoke blackberry juice and plum with a pretty open approach that isn’t too complex. On the palate, juicy, fresh, and easy too. Although it will be pretty flexible on the table with meats or tomato sauces, it’s darn good on its own too.

CSPC 762587 About $15-17

A delightfully earthy but still fruit driven red from Argentina without a drop of malbec in it. Cherry style fruits with milder coffee and spice, and a vibrant floral character lead off in the aroma, but it’s in the palate that really shows why the De Sangre is so popular. Big fruits with protein-friendly tannins and some excellent acids, all expertly balanced with each other. Best enjoyed with beef, or rich, mushroom based dishes, but if you can hang on to this for a year or two – do it!

CSPC 745106 $30-34

Nothing quite says Spanish wine like tempranillo. The flagship grape of Spain is in good hands here with wet cherries on the nose, but also mild smokiness and earthy spices and a pinch of anise. Silky on the palate, with weighty tannins supported by wonderful acids begging for protein rich dishes with a little fat. Grilled pork, beef of any kind, or charcuterie will be a friend here. A beautiful bottle to have on hand.

CSPC 781021 $19-23

While cabernet sauvignon has made its home in almost every wine country in the world, it’s capable of reaching some pretty incredible highs in Chile, where it also represents some incredible value too for us. From Arboleda, this cab shows off a wonderful perfume, deep cherry fruit, and a complex spice, evoking cigar box and olive. Big and chewy on the palate but well suited to juicy, ripe fruits. A great sort of weeknight cabernet, well suited to burgers or even a nice brisket.

CSPC707383 $22-25

Chile

Two things Chile has always done well with its wine – cabernet sauvignon, and value, and this is no exception. A rather approachable cabernet with good, brooding black fruits, expressive spice, a deep, earthy tannin and chewy midpalate. What’s great about those things? This is a fine bottle to have for any red meat-centric meal like homemade steak sandwiches, or a pan-seared steak.

CSPC 275925 $17-19

Errazuriz “Max” 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcagua, Chile

A pretty amazing bottle of south American cabernet. Errazuriz is one of the icons of Chilean wine – for good reason. A deep, smoky cabernet on the nose with a bit of salinity, plum and cherry fruits, olive, and bell pepper, in a complex and evolving experience. In the mouth remarkably well balanced bringing great fruits, serious (and suitable) tannin, and a long, spice laden finish. Serve with ribeyes if you can, but even hanger steaks!

CSPC 287505 $23-26

Weinert 2019 Cabernet Franc Mendoza, Argentina

When I judged for Argentina’s national wine competition back in 2013, some of the most incredible bottles we tried were made with cabernet franc, and I’m always stoked to try them again. Simply beautiful on the nose with subtle floral characters, spices, and strawberry and raspberry fruits, but it’s on the palate that this wine becomes amazing with an almost plush mouthfeel, and expertly balanced fruit and spice. A tad young at this point, but it is a fine bottle any day of the week.

CSPC885082 $36-40