This Saturday we are featuring two old school Argentinian wineries — Pascual Toso & Valentin Bianchi. When in the mid-1880s Pascual Toso set out towards Argentina from Piamonte, Italy, he settled in Mendoza and established his first winery in San José, Guaymallén. At the beginning of the 20th century, he decided to expand his business and acquired vineyards in Maipú. Bodegas Valentin Bianchi was founded in 1928 and now the 4th generation of the family runs the winery. Come by on Saturday and try the new accomplishments of the old stalwarts.
Pascual Toso, Sparkling Brut $11
Chardonnay
Paul Hobbs consults on this project at the winery. This sparkling wine balances yeast with the essential characteristics of Chardonnay. On the palate, it is soft, fresh and easy to drink — pleasant, fresh and velvety in the mouth.
2013 Don Valentin, Bianchi Lacrado $10
34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Malbec, 33% Merlot
The Bianchi Lacrado exhibits robust intensity and a great, perfume-like nose. The palate is velvety-smooth, with a complex display of flavors. It has a medium-long, pleasing finish.
2011 Valentin Bianchi, Cabernet Sauvignon $17
This Cab shows an enjoyable nose offering spicy aromas, as well as cassis, licorice, herbs and berry notes. The palate has an elegance to it, while flavors of berry fruits, cassis, chocolate and fig finish smooth and long.
2015 Pascual Toso Estate Malbec $15
This Estate Malbec has a fruity nose filled with plum and quince aromas and a slight touch of elegant oak. The mouthfeel is full with blackberry and licorice fruit and has a rich and lingering finish with smoky accents of vanilla and lingering oak.
2013 Paucual Toso Reserve Malbec $25
This Reserve is produced using grapes grown in their estate located in Las Barrancas, Maipú considered one of the best wine growing areas in Mendoza. The wine shows silky notes of cinnamon, allspice, violets and black cherry and offers savory flavors, plenty of fruit and consistent tannins.
Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.