View Score Sheet (PDF)

Wine Spectator scores include:

• Achaval-Ferrer Altamira Malbec 2010
  96 points
  Muscular; features dark layers of blackberry, cassis and plum skin notes. Fine-tunes, with a creamy edge and a long aftertaste. Decant or cellar in the short-term. Drink to 2020.
• Bella Vista Malbec 2010
  #10 in Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2012
  95 points
  Dark and powerful; elegant, delicious core tightly woven with silky tannins. Minerally finish lingers on with layered flavors of melted licorice, spice box. Drink to 2020.
• Mirador Malbec 2010
  94 points
  Dark, racy and aromatic; hints of spice box and cedar highlight the pure blackberry, cassis and raspberry flavors. Well-balanced; complex – show it’s pedigree. Drink to 2019.
• Mendoza Malbec 2011
  92 points “Smart Buy”
  Very pure, with beam of raspberry coulis, blackberry and cherry pulp notes; layers of spice. Juicy yet structured, with mineral edge to the long, savory finish. Drink to 2015.
  “The Achaval-Ferrer Malbec Mendoza ($25) is a stunning buy.” – Nathan Wesley, Wine Spectator

November 13, 2012 (Los Angeles, CA) – Each year, Wine Enthusiast Magazine honors outstanding achievement in the wine and spirits world as part of the prestigious publication’s Wine Star Awards. Jorge Riccitelli, the esteemed chief winemaker for Bodega Norton, has been named “Winemaker of the Year.” Recognized as the force behind Bodega Norton which is highly renowned for its price to quality relationship, Riccitelli is the first Argentine to win this coveted award. Receiving this award in the 13th annual production of the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards speaks volumes to the increase in popularity of wines from Argentina.

Since 1992 Riccitelli has been Bodega Norton´s Chief Winemaker. The elegant winemaking style of Riccitelli has been a trademark and a key success factor to accomplish Bodega Norton’s international fame. Riccitelli has decades of experience producing premium wines and is an icon for the future winemaking generations from Argentina. Bodega Norton wines are currently available in more than 60 countries around the globe and Riccitelli was paramount in improving the quality of wines across all price points.

“I am honored to be receiving such a prestigious award,” says Riccitelli. “Teamwork and attention to detail are essential components to our success at Bodega Norton, which is why our meticulous vineyard management and winemaking processes yield such great wines with high fruit expressions. It is exciting to see our many years of commitment and dedication recognized as part of these esteemed awards.” Bodega Norton was founded by Edmund James Palmer Norton, an English engineer in 1895. Norton bought the estate and land in Perdriel, Lujan de Cuyo, and planted vines creating a winery soon thereafter. Today, thanks to the top-notch technology and the passion of the people who work there, international accolades abound and uphold Bodega Norton’s place as one of the leading and oldest wineries in Argentina. Wine Enthusiast nominated Bodega Norton as the “Best New World Winery of the Year” in the 2011 edition of its “Wine Star Awards” competition. The well-known quality of the wine is enjoyed by millions of consumers every day. For more information please visit www.norton.com.ar.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine was founded in 1988 bringing consumers vital information on the world of wine and hundreds of wine reviews in every issue. Since then, the magazine has grown to become the world’s largest and most respected periodical devoted exclusively to wine and spirits. For more information please visit www.winemag.com.

TGIC Importers, Inc. began 26 years ago as a wine import company with only a single Chilean winery in its portfolio. Their mission is to establish themselves as a leading international producer, importer and marketer of the finest wines of the world with a rich and diverse portfolio. Today, TGIC is proud to represent 18 wineries from around the world as a national importer. Like all wines Chilean, TGIC’s Alex Guarachi is spearheading what he describes as “the newest era in wine from the oldest vines in the world.” Shown in their work, Wine Enthusiast announced TGIC Importers, Inc. and Alex Guarachi, their Importer of the Year in 2010. For more information please visit www.TGICImporters.com.

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Please direct requests and inquiries to Melissa McAvoy, Public Relations and Communications Manager, TGIC Importers, Inc: 818-225-5100×223 mmcavoy@tgicimporters.com.

The Tasting Panel

Note: click the link to read the full article.

This September, Montes Wines is calling on wine lovers to become “Angels in Action!” Known for the “angel” icon that graces their labels and represents their commitment to be a helping hand to others, Montes Wines has created an easy way for you to be an angel — simply by doing what you already love to do … drink Montes wines!

September 1 – 30, 2012, 10% of proceeds from every bottle sold in participating markets will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), the world’s leader in the search for a cure for this disease. Montes and TGIC have a longstanding commitment of supporting CFF and the “Angels in Action” campaign is a chance for you to help support their efforts.

The September sales fundraiser will take place in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida; Angels in Action is a joint effort between Montes Wines and the following distributor partners:

Viña Montes’ kicked off “Angels in Action” with a launch party on June 7 in Los Angeles, where Founding Partner Aurelio Montes spoke about the initiative. All proceeds from the party were donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Rhone-style wines:

• Chapoutier Ermitage “L’Ermite” 2004
• Bonaccorsi Syrah Star Lane Vineyard 2005
• Montes Folly 2004
• Penfolds Grange Bin 95 2004

Results:

1. Montes Folly 2004 - Average Score 91.7 (Rank #1)
2. Penfolds Grange Bin 95 2004 – Average Score 91.5 (Rank #2)

“We were very gratified to see how our wines showed alongside these legendary wines from the greatest  wine  regions  in  the  world,”  says  Viña  Montes  co-founder  and  winemaker,  Aurelio Montes. “Since the beginning of Montes Wines, we have set as our goal the production of wine that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best wines anywhere. Our belief in the potential of the terroir of Apalta has been validated by the results of this tasting.”

“In the many years I’ve been importing wines from Apalta, I’ve always maintained that these wines are Grand Cru quality,” says TGIC CEO Alex Guarachi. “They are the icons of the Andes and I’m proud to have the partnership with Aurelio Montes and the Montes team. Today was a great day, as the Grand Cru Challenge validated my long held belief that the Montes wines are special and able to stand strong amongst the most coveted wines in the world.”

Tony Aspler, the Dean of Canadian wine journalists, commented:  “I have been following the Chilean wine industry since my first visit in 1985 and have made several visits since then. The growth both in the quality of the wines and the confidence of the winemakers over those years has been exponential. The Grand Cru challenge that Aurelio Montes and his team mounted in Los Angeles confirms my judgment that the top Chilean wines can stand without a blush against the world’s iconic labels.”

Sommelier Christopher Lavin stated: “The Montes Grand Cru Challenge offered validation that Chile can play with the big boys.”

*Photos provided by Erica Bertel