Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
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Wilfred
Wong
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
A standout Cabernet, the 2013 Tomero shows us that Mendoza can do a wonderful job with this omnipresent varietal. Perfect with thinly sliced grilled beef with sesame rice. Deep ruby color; vivid red fruit aroma, quite rich and persistent; medium bodied, textured on the palate, with good energy; dryish, medium acidity, well balanced; bright red fruit flavors; medium finish, bright aftertaste. (Tasted: August 24, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
Tomero wines are traditional Argentine varietals with classic varietal character that is always true to the terroir. Most Tomero wines are sourced from high-elevation vineyards in Valle de Uco, a sub-appellation of Mendoza nestled against the base of the Andes.
The Valle de Uco is located 130km southeast from the city of Mendoza. Antonio Pulenta came upon these lands more than 40 years ago and began the planting of vineyards in what today is known as Finca los Alamos. It is a vineyard of inestimable value due to its location, age and the grape quality. It is comprised of 400 hectares of trellised vines with bilateral spurred cordon, that produce varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Viognier, and originate the Tomero Wines.
The Tomero became a part of the vineyard scenario in 1833 and his presence continues to this day. His job is the distribution of irrigation water in those vineyards or crop fields which, by law, are entitled to use the river water. The Tomero is hired by the landowners, and his duty is to open and close the “Tome de Agua” (Water Intake Channel) of each estate. Today, the Tomero is the symbol of an irrigation system developed more than 100 years ago, that has enabled the development of vine-growing regions in Mendoza.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.