Argentina
May 23, 2009Saturday 4:00pm until 7:00pm (or until it's gone)
$5 per person
Benegas Winery
Clara Benegas Chardonnay, 2008
Benegas Sangiovese, 2006
Benegas Lynch Meritage, 2005
Bodega Campo Negro Winery
Finca El Reposo Saint Jeannet, 2008
Campo Negro Malbec 2006
Campo Negro Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Presented by Catherine Price, Wine Consultant
Roanoke Valley Wine Company
The Wineries
Benegas Lynch Winery, Libertad VineyardTiburcio Benegas, together with Silvestre Ochagavía (Chile) and Agoston Harszthy (California), are considered the first three pioneers in the wine industry in Argentina. Convinced that it was imperative to achieve excellence in their products, Benegas brought the first French grapevines ever introduced in Argentina, along with the most advanced technology available at the time.
The Benegas family has a long tradition in wine history. In 1883, Tiburcio Benegas bought a vineyard called "El Trapiche", located in Godoy Cruz, Mendoza, formerly the department of San Vicente (the Patron Saint of vineyards). It was on this land that Tiburcio built the Trapiche winery, which eventually would attain international fame and prestige.
Federico J. Benegas Lynch was born in the winery in 1951. He grew up by his father's side, sampling wines and working in the vineyard. This atmosphere awakened in him a deep love for his land and its wine. He had always been close to his father and eventually, he joined the enterprise, doing what he loved most with a solid conviction.
It was in 1998 that Federico J. resumed his activity as winemaker when he settled on the 40 hectares of Finca Libertad, part of the old Benegas' family property, where the vineyards are 20 to 80 years old. He started the production of quality wines, fully convinced that he would achieve the level of excellence of his ancestors. This restoration period is the landmark of the beginning of a new era in the Benegas family, who was always devoted to the art of vines from the very roots.
Bodega Campo Negro Winery
Bodega Campo Negro is located in Cruz de Piedra district, Maipú department, Mendoza. This property belongs to the recognized agronomist and oenologist Pedro Federico Rosell, his wife Celia Navarro Correas, agronomist and oenologist Cristian Allamand — who was Pedro's student and disciple and followed his steps in the world of wines- and architect Gonzalo Merlo, who was responsible making this dream come true. From its outset, the winery's mission has been focused on premium winemaking, aiming at the precise concept of a boutique winery.
Campo Negro was built to produce at capacities of well over 300,000 liters, though they are not yet working at such volumes. Finca El Reposo, their introductory line of wines, which other producer often reserve for their young vines, includes plantings that are nearly 100 years old. In 2004, they started Bodega Cruzat, a methode Champenoise house which has quickly become of of Argentina's finest sparkling producers.
Each variety is sourced from the Campo Negro vineyard which best suits its attributes. In addition to the main vineyard in Cruz de Piedra (stony, very poor soil, located just east of Lujan de Cuyo and at an altitude of 3214 feet above sea level), other sites are located in Altamira, San Carlos, and Tunuyán.
The rare grape varietal, Saint Jeannet (introduced from France by researcher Tiburcio Benegas) was grafted on American rootstock in this part of Argentina in 1912. Today the only remaining 2 hectares in the world are property of Bodega Campo Negro.
Farming throughout these holdings is sustainable, organic and/or biodynamic.
The Wines
Finca El Reposo Saint Jeannet 2008, $9.95
Region: Cruz de Piedra, Maipú, Mendoza, ArgentinaVarietal: 100% Saint Jeannet
Vinification: Malolactic in Stainless Steel
In 2000 the winery started researching the oenological qualities of Saint Jeannet a long lost variety planted in Argentina in 1912, and the only planting of Saint Jeannet left on the planet on a 2 plot located in Cruz de Piedra, Mendoza.
A white grape of late ripening that gives a well-structured body, good acidity and fine aromas. This wine displays a yellow color with greenish hints. Dry herbs, honey and bee wax aromas stand out. It is a wine of particular style.
This wine was fermented in stainless steel and has 100% malolactic fermentation. Being old-vine, the vineyard yields very little fruit — tonnage is only about 2.7 per acre.
Benegas "Clara" Chardonnay 2008, $11.95
Region: Maipu, Mendoza, ArgentinaVarietal: 100% Chardonnay
Vinification: Stainless Steel
This delicate, 100% Un-Oaked Chardonnay, is made with grapes from Benegas vineyards located in the province of Mendoza. This delicious, natural, young and fresh wine is a result of the careful control of the vineyard and the morning harvest of the over ripened chardonnay grapes. It is Golden yellow with delicate green reflections and tropical aroma with hints of green apple and pear. It is soft and balanced on the palate with flavors of crisp apple and pear.
Benegas Sangiovese 2006, $ 21.95
Region: Mendoza River Bank, Cruz de Piedra, Maipú, Mendoza, Argentina.Varietal: 100% Sangiovese, Libertad vineyards
Vinification: 12 months in French oak casks. Average age of vines is 55 years
This wine has deep and strong red colors, typical of Sangiovese. Rich and complex aromas with lots of red fruit. Wonderful intense palate of raspberry, strawberry and cherry preserves that will keep you going back for more.
Campo Negro Malbec 2006, $19.95
Region: La Consulta, San Carlos, Mendoza, ArgentinaVarietal: 100% Malbec
Vinification: 50% of the wine spends 8 months in new oak (90% French, 10% American) and then at least 12 months in the bottle before release. 250 cases produced.
The 2006 vintage is the first release of the Campo Negro wines. The Campo Negro Malbec started 2 years ago with the selection of the best plots of Malbec that the winery owns and then by careful selection the best and more expressive barrels once in the winery. The rest of the wine destined to the Campo Negro program that does not make the quality cut proposed by Cristian is "declassified" and moved into the Finca el Reposo Malbec. This wine is rich with red fruit and spice with a great structure and long finish.
Campo Negro Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, $19.95
Region: Cruz de Piedra, Maipú, MendozaVarietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vinification: 50% of the wine spends 8-10 months in 100% French Oak and then at least one year in the bottle before release. Only 250 cases produced
Similar in start and production to the Malbec, wines are selected from the best plots and then again culled in the winery. Very serious Cabernet Sauvignon, showing the typical characteristics of the grape variety with lots of cassis, dark fruit, and licorice. The wine has a rich concentration and round sweet tannins that produce a nice and long lasting finish.
Benegas-Lynch Meritage 2005, $41.95
Region: Upper Mendoza River Bank, Cruz de Piedra, Maipú, Mendoza, ArgentinaVarietal: "Meritage" 30% Cabernet Sauvignon (40 to 60 year old vine), 15% Merlot (20 year old vines), 50% Cabernet Franc (100 year old vines, 5% Petit Verdot (5 year old vines)
Vinification: 18 months in new French oak casks where the malolactic fermentation process will be completed, at temperatures below 18ºC. The Benegas cellars are all temperature are controlled. 3000 bottles produced
From the most antique vineyards of Finca Libertad. It is a wine with a red profound ruby color, attractive, and very clean as a result of a natural clarification process that guarantees the conservation of all the wines organic features. Hints of black pepper, red fruit and a touch of mint to temp you on the nose. Smooth and velvety yet with great body and sweet tannins combine with black fruit, and chocolate, just to name a few of the many flavors that can be detected in this complex wine.
