Welcome once again as we pontificate, ponder, and present the possibilities of "The Patriota" to your passionate palate!!

"The Patriota", a product of Argentina and the passion of Ernesto Catena were on 'pour' at last Thursday's wine tasting at State Street Liquors.

Ernesto Catena is the son of Nicolas Catena who is otherwise known as "The Robert Mondavi of Argentina!"  Suffice it to say that Ernesto comes from some pretty good stock and his premier wine speaks volumes to his heritage and skill as a wine maker.

The "Patriota" Tikal is 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec, both signature grapes of Argentina.

"The Patriota" Tikal  is a tribute to these two core grapes of Argentina's heritage as both  grapes have been instrumental in Argentina's great winemaking traditions. 

And now that people can actually identify Argentina on a map, this country, many moons south of the equator, (just a place for the public school educated to start looking) is actually becoming a formidable wine making contender in the fight for shelf space at fine liquor establishments everywhere.

At first approach, I was expecting a massive, powerful wine, as the bottle alone has to weigh 3 lbs. soaking wet.....and, maybe even dry, I'll let you know......but, true to Malbec's characteristics, think Merlot, the wine offered up fragrant bouquets of black cherry, raspberry, and chocolate.  After one swallow, think a whole bowl of mixed ripe berries, the luscious layers of blueberry, raspberry, cherry/berry, and just a hint of cocoa wrapped themselves around my tongue and refused to diffuse even as I tried to talk and pour (no easy feat for this blond with a brunette past).

But, my true hair color aside, Wine Aficionados from around the world love this wine. At just under $25, this highly rated winner, '90' points from Robert Parker and '91' points from the Wine Enthusiast, will quickly become the love of your wine life. A love that you simply cannot fathom drinking -I mean- being without .... unless you're Lilly Tomlin.

Lilly Tomlin once said: "If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question?"

Yes Lilly, I can!  

The question is:

"What can produce passion at first sight?" 

The answer quickly becomes:

"Why, "The Patriota", of course."

See you Thursday!!

Until

The Wine Tellar

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