For the traffic this site generates, we probably deliberate and care too much about scheduling and carefully planning the week's activities. Sometimes it's off the cuff, sometimes just sort of occurs (Catena Weeks I, II and III), and other times we act with a percentage of intention. This week is one of those weeks. We will focus on higher-end, big-ticket bottles, with each of us digging and ringing stuff up on the plastic cards a bit higher than we normally should. We're committed to seeing this plan through to the very end, which will probably be in another 100 reviews, given our current pace.
Today we take a look at a single vineyard offering from Bodega Rolland, a vineyard we are already big fans of thanks to its more reasonably priced Clos de los Siete. Doing a bit of snooping about, I'm finding that the vineyard is relatively small, with vines of more than fifty years in age, at a higher altitude. This is all very promising information.
Nose: Blackberry dominant at first, as expected with something from Mendoza, but quickly heads for other signature aromas of plum, cassis and vanilla. Sweetness gradually emerges along with light oak.
Palate: Big dark fruit leading here, and a subtle hint of spice coming in from behind. Rich and very approachable. A bit of pepper in there as well. Very firm tannins and medium acidity.
Finish: Medium to Long. The blackberry crests and the earthier notes take on a bigger role before it picks up a nice note of cocoa powder at the end.
Nice bottle if you can find it, great bottle if you can afford it.
$87