Lots of meetings. The new April List is going very well. Sales have perked up. The Voyage wine looks like it will sell out. Am very glad of that. My head on the block! Now we just have to get it here without sinking!
A really good tasting of our South Americans, and a de-brief on our trip with Becca and Thomas; respectively, Chilean and Argentine buyers.
Some stand-outs:
The Patriots 2009 Merlot really is such a good wine for the price … just so rich … something that dense from Bordeaux would be three times the price. It’s unfair!
A new arrival from Tarapacá that they'd already shipped when I was there is their upmarket Terroir 2009. Just classy.
Everyone's favourite here though is Emiliana Pinot Noir 2008 which absolutely proves the Chileans have now found the right places to grow that difficult grape so it really tastes like PN … which it never did before. Keep your eyes peeled!
I like the Dos Valles 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Rosé - a clever blend - almost certainly illegal to make in France … pity.
Other winners:
Santa Inés Limari Unoaked Chardonnay 2010 would be a good one for Chardonnay haters because so clean, fresh and zippy.
The Polkura Syrah 2008 made by a Syrah nut who apparently searched the world before deciding Marchigue in Chile’s Colchagua Valley was the perfect spot to plant his dream. Another one to look out for.
Finally an Argentine wine from a place we didn't get to because it’s so far north in Salta province. Ascencion Malbec 2010 is made in Argentina's oldest winery from the fruit of the highest vineyards in the world … 7000 feet. For that alone it’s worth a try … but it is just a lovely, long wine and the result of Thomas' legendary (within Laithwaites) Long Bus Ride North.
Maybe one for my next trip to S. America.
I am definitely going back soon, because although with S. America representing nearly 15% of our sales we are well ahead of most other shippers, we are certain there is so much more we can do, so much more to find.
No comments:
Post a Comment