94 Point (JS) Red Blend - From the Rothschild and Catena Families

A BEAUTIFUL BLEND

“Two unrivaled wine families, Nicolás Catena Zapata, godfather of Argentinian wines, and Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) have formed an alliance in Argentina. They’ve created Bodegas CARO (CAtena ROthschild) and focus on just two grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The venture combines the Catena family’s deep knowledge of Mendoza's high-altitude terroir and the Rothschild’s skill in the art of winemaking. Amancaya is their wine that leads with Malbec in the blend.

We just received the stunning 94 point 2018 Catena Rothschild Amancaya Gran Reserva Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon and it is stunning! The quality per price ratio on these wines from Mendoza are insane, 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet and 100% delicious, for under $19! It's terrific now, and will age gracefully for years to come!” – Glen Knight, The Wine House

The Wine House Kitchen freshly prepared cocktails to go are back in stock! All our Wine House Kitchen cocktails to go are made with top-of-the-line ingredients. All you need to do to enjoy these premium cocktails is shake well and pour over ice! Each 400ml bottle is only $24 and makes three cocktails. Please keep refrigerated as they are made with fresh ingredients. NOTE: Cocktails to go are only available for curbside pickup.

Check out our CLOSEOUT wines on our website! Quantities are limited to current stock and new closeout wines are added regularly!

NOTE: The Wine House is not open for walk-in customers. We offer curbside pickup between 11AM and 6PM. Please see below for UPDATED curbside pickup instructions and contact us before coming to the store. Please let us know if you have multiple orders to consolidate.

CHAT! If you see a chat bubble in the lower right corner on our website, a Wine House employee is ready to answer your questions. Please note that chat is only available between 11AM and 6PM, and the bubble only displays when an employee is available.

NOTE! For orders over $250, we now offer Special Local Delivery
Monday - Friday to addresses up to 10 miles from the store for $8/case. Additional delivery options are also available on our website.

94 Points: “This shows blackberry, tobacco, coffee and iodine aromas and flavors. Medium to full body. Polished, yet happily dense with creamy tannins and a long, savory finish. So drinkable now, but will improve with age. 70% malbec 30% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.” – James Suckling (January 2021)

FROM THE IMPORTER

BACKGROUND
The success of the first vintages of CARO encouraged Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Catena family to create another premium wine, this time a Malbec dominated cuvée, that would nevertheless be a balance between the Bordeaux and Argentine styles. To celebrate its Andean origin, the wine was named Amancaya, after the mountain flower which grows in the Andes.

TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES
Amancaya is the Quechua name of an endemic flower of the Andes found in the Mendoza area. Grapes are sourced from selected plots of old vines in Lujan de Cuyo just outside Mendoza, and also from Altamira, further South. In Lujan, soils are quite varied depending on how close vineyards are to the mountains or Mendoza River, and tend to form alluvial layers of loam, rock, and gravel. In Altamira, vineyards are planted at 1000m above sea level, on the ancient alluvial bed of the Tunuyan River.

The particularly harsh winter in the foothills of the Andes Cordillera was followed by a sunny spring, enabling budding and flowering to take place normally. Fine weather predominated for the rest of the season, with little rain and a completely dry March. These conditions, typical of the Mendoza region, with dry, sunny days and a big difference in temperatures between day and night-time, enabled the grapes to ripen slowly and steadily, softening the tannins while preserving a superb freshness. On March 25th temperatures dropped once again in our high-altitude vineyard but the vines coped well with the colder weather and ripening continued without any problems, resulting in one of the best harvests of this decade.

WINEMAKING
The harvest was conducted by hand and grapes are carefully sorted on tables and destemmed before being placed in stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Regular pumping-over ensured a gentle extraction of the tannins.

AGEING
After malolactic fermentation, 50% of the wine was transfered into French oak barrels for a period of 12 months, and 50% is placed in concrete vats.

TASTING NOTES
The robe is deep ruby in color. The nose is complex with aromas of cocoa, red fruits and figs layered with cinnamon and a touch of smokiness. The palate unveils seductive aromas of black fruit with very well-integrated oak. This wine has great balance and an exceptional freshness. Amancaya 2018 is pleasant to drink now and offer great aging potential.

APPELLATION: Mendoza
GRAPE VARIETIES: 70% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
WINEMAKERS: Philippe Rolet
TECHNICAL DATA: Acidity 3.73 g/L
Alcohol: 14.5%

UPDATED CURBSIDE PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Place your online order.
- You will receive 2 emails. The first will acknowledge receipt of your order and the second will let you know that your order is ready for pickup.

2) Please reply to the second email to tell us you want curbside pickup. IMPORTANT: If you have multiple orders to consolidate, please let us know as we will need extra time to get those to the front of the store!
- We will prepare your order(s), move them to the front of the store and send you a confirmation email that curbside pickup is ready.

3) Pull up in front of the store. There is no need to call when you arrive at the store – just roll down your passenger window and let us know the name on the order(s).
- We will put your order(s) in your vehicle. There is no need to step out of your vehicle.

Due to the large number of phone calls we have been receiving and the time it takes to consolidate orders, please reply to the email letting you know that your wine is ready for pickup and give us time stage and consolidate your order(s). There is no need to phone the store to arrange curbside pickup.