Argentine red wine Luca Beso de Dante

Luca Beso de Dante 2020 Argentine red wine

Luca Beso de Dante 2020 is a red wine from Argentina, produced by the prestigious Catenas winemaking family. This wine is the creation of Laura Catena, daughter of Nicolas Catena, who is renowned for putting Argentina on the map for producing exceptional Malbec wines. The name Luca comes from Laura’s son, and all the wines under this label are made with top-quality grapes from selected vineyards in Mendoza.

Beso de Dante pays tribute to the classic Bordeaux grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Laura carefully sources the grapes from specific plots in Vista Flores and Altamira, fermenting them separately before blending them to create a complex and approachable wine. The wine is then aged in oak barrels, adding hints of spice and woodsmoke to the rich flavors of cassis, blackberry, and dark cherry.

This wine has a full body, smooth tannins, and a long finish with notes of cedar, tobacco leaf, and wild berries. It pairs well with hearty dishes like prime ribeye steak, beef stews, venison, or wild boar ragu with pappardelle pasta.

Luca Old Vine Malbec 2021 Argentine red wine

Luca Old Vine Malbec 2021 is a popular Argentine red wine that stood out in Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wines for 2020. This Malbec offers great value for its rich flavor profile highlighted by deep wild berry notes. The grapes come from the high-altitude vineyards of La Consulta and Gualtallary in the Uco Valley, known for producing quality fruit.

Hand-harvested and aged in French oak barrels for 14 months, this wine boasts seductive aromas of cassis, plum, and blackberry. The palate reveals a full body, smooth texture, and hints of toasted oak and spice that complement the succulent dark fruit flavors. Its long finish and solid structure make it a perfect match for classic Argentine dishes like chorizo or steak.

Luca is a boutique label created by Laura Catena, daughter of renowned winemaker Nicolas Catena. Named after her son, Luca wines are crafted with precision and care from select vineyard sites in Mendoza, reflecting Laura’s commitment to quality and family values.

Luca Syrah 2020 Argentine red wine

Luca Syrah 2020 is a red wine from Argentina, named after Laura Catena’s son who is part of the famous winemaking family in the country. Laura, following her father Nicolas’ footsteps, has decided to explore new possibilities with this label by using the finest grapes from specific vineyards in Mendoza to create approachable and delicious wines. Although the Catena family is renowned for their Malbecs, this Syrah is a testament to Argentina’s potential with other red grape varieties.

The grapes are carefully harvested at the perfect ripeness and undergo a meticulous winemaking process according to Laura’s standards. After aging in oak, the wine is bottled and allowed to rest before being released. This Syrah is bold and reminiscent of wines from France’s Rhone Valley, with notes of cassis, black olive, and bitter chocolate on the nose, complemented by hints of fresh mint, forest floor, and spice.

It is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed now with hearty red meats or aged for a few more years in the cellar.

White Spanish Lagar de Cervera Albarino 2023 wine

The white Spanish Lagar de Cervera Albarino 2023 wine is best enjoyed after being decanted for an hour. The winemaking tradition of the Arduini family dates back to the 1940s when Luciano’s grandfather, Gabriele, first established the business in Marano Valpolicella. Over the years, the family has continued to innovate and improve their wines, with Luciano modernizing the cellar in 2000 and introducing their own label.

One of their most prestigious wines is the Luciano Arduini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, showcasing the best of the indigenous Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes. This wine boasts a rich purple color and a luxurious bouquet of ripe berries, spices, cedar wood, and dark chocolate. The palate is robust and complex, with firm tannins and a long finish, highlighting the exceptional quality of this wine and its potential for aging.

Pair this full-bodied red wine with hearty dishes like beef cheek, mutton stew, or roast wild boar with blackberry sauce.

White Georgian Lagvinari Krakhuna 2022 wine

This 2022 Lagvinari Krakhuna white wine from Georgia is best enjoyed after decanting for 1 to 2 hours. The Arduini winery, with roots dating back to the 1940s in Marano Valpolicella, has a rich history in the wine industry. Under the leadership of Luciano, the grandson of founder Gabriele, the winery has embraced innovation and quality improvements.

This wine is crafted from a blend of traditional grapes like Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Oseleta sourced from 45-year-old vineyards. The grapes are hand-harvested and dried until mid-January before undergoing a 24-month aging process in a mix of French and American oak barriques. The result is a wine with a lively fruity character, firm tannins, and a harmonious, lingering softness on the palate.

Aromas of oak, mint, lemon, elderberry, and black berries greet the nose, making for an impressive sensory experience that evolves over time.