The Good Juice

For this edition of The Good Juice we have selected the Crios, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon and the Maven, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc. The Crios Cab is produced by Dominio de Plata located in Mendoza, Argentina. The winery is the result of a collaborative effort between Susana Balbo and Pedro Marchevsky. Their project began in 1999 and in June of 2001 they decided to build a winery in the centre of the District of Agrelo, in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Pedro and Susana share a commitment to precision viticulture, sustainable agriculture and a true love and passion for the wine making process. Marlborough, New Zealand which is home to Maven, is pocket-sized when compared with other internationally renowned wine regions. Despite that fact, the region has an enormous reputation; the quality of its signature Sauvignon Blanc is unparalleled. The key to Marlborough’s success lies in the diversity of its terroirs – that combination of soils, climate, geography and other factors whose interaction make a region’s wines unique – enabling the production of highly individualized styles.
Maven 2007 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc $21.95/bottle

The Maven Sauvignon Blanc is a single-vineyard wine grown exclusively on their estate vineyard near the stony banks of Marlborough’s Wairau River. The main block has been separated into a number of zones and the amount of leaf plucking has been varied in each zone. This directly affects the fruit’s flavour and composition, with more exposure to the Marlborough sun leading to riper, more tropical flavours. A riper component, which is hand-picked separately, is fermented using wild yeasts (in seasoned French barriques). This process is invariably slower, but allows the wine to develop to its natural potential and the result tends to be more complex and richly textured. By picking separate parcels of the Sauvignon over a 3-week period they were able to capture a wider spectrum of flavour and aromas. A greener component was cool fermented in stainless steel at very low temperatures to retain its crisp, vibrant freshness and that unmistakable Marlborough zing.

The resulting wine displays lifted aromas of passion fruit and gooseberry. A vibrant, lively wine, this Sauvignon balances the freshness of melon and lime with rich, ripe tropical fruit on the palate and a lingering finish. Subtle use of seasoned French oak casks on a portion of the blend has added further weight and complexity.

Sauvignon Blanc pairs very well with foods that are aromatic, higher in acidity and spicier than most. For the Maven 2007 Sauvignon Blanc I would recommend Ricotta – Stuffed Chicken Breast with Roasted Bell Pepper Sauce.
Crios de Susana Balbo 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon $16.95/bottle

The 2006 Crios is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 5% Merlot. The wine has been aged in French oak 50% and American oak 50% for 9 months. It shows an intense, dark ruby colour with enticing aromas of ripe, black plums and blackcurrants. The richly textured plum and currant flavours are joined by accents of dark chocolate and some vanilla-scented oak. The ripe, vibrant tannins give the wine beautiful structure and an amazing long finish. Here is what the Wine Advocate had to day about the wine:

90 points.

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep crimson coloured, it has an excellent bouquet of cedar, spice box, cassis and black currants. This leads to a medium-bodied wine with a smooth texture, intense dark fruit flavours and excellent depth. There is enough silky tannin to support 2-3 years of bottle age although it can be enjoyed now. Although Susana Balbo’s Crios offerings are the declassified lots from her more expensive “signature” wines, they need no apologies. They rank among the best values from my Argentina wine tastings. Wine Advocate # 174(Dec 2007)

Cabernet Sauvignon matches very well with grilled meat, roasted game and cheese. For the 06’ Crios I recommend Grilled Veal Chops with Balsamic Mushroom Sauce. The real trick here is to not get too carried away with the balsamic vinegar. Enjoy.

When you have a moment please check out our website at www.profilewinegroup.com

How to order

Phone: 416-598-0033 extension 243 to speak directly with Allan Leal, or you can
E-mail him at aleal@profilewinegroup.com

All orders are COD. Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, AMEX or cheque. Your credit card will not be charged until the product is shipped.

Minimum Orders: There is a one case minimum order (12 bottles unless otherwise noted).

Delivery to a single destination within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is free of charge. Delivery outside of the GTA can be arranged.

You must be 19 years of age or older to place or receive a wine order.