Beso de Dante
2015
Laura Catena, daughter of famous Argentine wine pioneer, Nicolas Catena, was born in Buenos Aires. At the age of 14, her family moved to Berkeley, California where her father had taken a teaching position in the Economics Department. Laura went on to attend Harvard University, where she graduated magna cum laude in biology, and then she returned to the west coast, to Stanford University, to pursue a medical degree graduating in 1992. Today, Laura Catena is a practicing emergency-room physician....
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This wine spent 16 months in 50% new, and 50% second-use French barrels.
Aromas of cassis, with mints notes and smoke. Cascades of red and blackcurrant fruit on the palate. Medium-bodied and classically structured with good density. The Cabernet fruit melds seamlessly with the Malbec, creating a well-structured and balanced blend with moderate tannins and a lengthy finish. This blend will pair well with any Cab-friendly dishes such as steak, pork, lamb, and strong cheeses. Can handle any dish with cream or butter sauces.
Named after one of owner Laura Catena’s children rather than the author of the Divine
Comedy, this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 40% Malbec and 10% Cabernet Franc. It’s a concentrated, age worthy red with layered tannins, prominent oak and complex, leafy, herbal flavours.
The blend of the 2015 Beso de Dante was the same as the 2014, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec and 10% Cabernet Franc and is also sourced from the same Vista Flores and Altamira vineyards in the Valle de Uco. The freshness and balance of the vintage is clear here, with better balance, very classical and somehow dominated by the Cabernet flavors and tannins. This is a great assemblage of the varieties, keeping the character of the cooler places and cooler year.
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A big and rich red with lots of fruit and tannins. Full body, flavorful and dense. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and cabernet franc. Needs time to soften and come together.
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Powerful and well-structured, with good cut to the dark currant, dark cherry and black olive flavors, backed by firm acidity and tannins. Shows notes of underbrush that are on the savory finish, with cocoa powder accents. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
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Bright ruby-red. Very pure aromas of blackberry, licorice, violet and menthol. Juicy, spicy and firmly built, offering lovely intensity to its black fruit and spice flavors. Hints of dried tobacco and cedar add interest, but there's nothing green about this wine. The Cabernet component comes through in the wine's solid structure. Finishes with a smooth dusting of tannins and lingering notes of dried fruits and flowers.
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