On Friday we will try one Chardonnay from Catena winery and four reds from Cuvelier Los Andes Winery. Cuvelier Los Andes is owned by Bertrand and Jean-Guy Cuvelier, part-owners of renowned Bordeaux Chateau Leoville-Poyferre in Saint Julien. The estate is located in the Uco Valley at the foothills of the Andes. They concentrate on red wines highlighted by Malbec production. It is a great set of wines.

On Saturday we will taste an assortment wines form 4Play Wine Distribution and have a special guest, Brian London, here to tell us about the wines. These are five brand new wines that I recently tasted and was excited to bring into Jonathan’s. We will start with a 2 lovely whites- a Sauvignon Blanc from Farella and a Chardonnay from Hilliard Bruce. We will finish with three reds- a Santa Barbara Pinot from Sandler, and two Napa Reds Squirt Gun and Carne Humana respectively.

Just a note that next weekend there will be no wine tastings in El Cajon as I will be in Paso Robles for my sisters wedding.

Hope to see you all tonight or tomorrow!

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, September 27th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, September 28th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, September 27th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring the wines of Cuvelier Los Andes:

2010 Catena Alta Chardonnay ($39.99)

The 2010 Alta Catena Chardonnay includes just a touch of botrytis that Alejandro Vigil believes adds a little complexity. That is evident on the bouquet, which offers wild honey, jasmine, nectarine and crushed stone aromas that are well-defined. The palate has good weight on the entry, with subtle notes of orange zest, dried apricot, quince and shaved ginger. It builds in the mouth, delivering a very focused, intense finish that you could say, sits comfortably between Old World and New. Drink now-2017+” Neil Martin – Wine Advocate – 93 Points!

2010 Cuvelier Los Andes Cabernet ($24.99)

“The 2010 Collecion Cabernet Sauvignon displays darker fruit and a bit more richness. Supple, ripe, and velvety on the palate, it will offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2020.” Jay Miller – Wine Advocate – 90 Points!

2008 Cuvelier Los Andes Colleccion ($29.99)

“Medium ruby. High-pitched aromas of blackberry and fruitcake, with a medicinal note of licorice. Dense and suave on entry, then concentrated and firm in the middle, even a bit youthfully bound-up, with sound acidity framing the black fruit flavors. Less pliant today than the winery’s two 2009 bottlings, finishing with strong black fruit flavors, substantial tannins and excellent grip. This needs at least a couple years of bottle aging. Very serious juice for the price.” Steven Tanzer – 90 Points!

2009 Cuvelier Los Andes Colleccion ($34.99)

“The 2009 Collecion is a blend of the varietals. Purple in color, with a brooding bouquet, it is a dense, structured, rich wine with impeccable balance, volume, and length. It has the structure to evolve for 2-3 years but can be approached now. It, too, is a great value.” Jay Miller – Wine Advocate – 92 Points!

2009 Cuvelier Los Andes Grand Malbec ($64.99)

“The flagship is the 2009 Grand Malbec, a contender for Malbec of the vintage at this early stage. A glass-coating opaque purple color with legs that ooze down the glass, it offers up a beautiful bouquet of sandalwood, exotic spices, truffle, floral notes, red licorice, and black cherry. Voluptuous on the palate, this sweetly-fruited, dense, nicely proportioned Malbec will evolve for 4-5 years and deliver prime drinking from 2015 to 2029.” Jay Miller – Wine Advocate – 94 Points!

Saturday, September 28th, 2013 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring wines of 4Play Distributors:

2012 Farella Estate Sauvignon Blanc ($24.99)

Our Sauvignon Blanc is framed in the tradition of the fresh, lively white wines of Italy. Fermented in stainless steel at low temperatures to retain the fruit characteristics, the 2012 is lovely and delicious with bright honeydew, honeysuckle, citrus and a touch of honey. Crisp, clean and lively, as always.

2011 Hilliard Bruce Estate Chardonnay ($49.99)

The only white I tasted and a beautiful Chardonnay, the 2011 Chardonnay opens with classical white peach, toasted hazelnuts, citrus blossom and tinges of baking bread to go with a pure, medium-bodied, focused palate. Not a heavy weight, with medium concentration, it has a lively, chiseled feel on the palate. Aged 16 months in 30% new French oak, it’s impressive and should drink nicely for 3-4 years. Drink now-2017.” Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate – 92 Points!

2010 Sandler Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir ($32.99)

Sandler pinot is made from fruit drawn from the Garys’ and Rosella’s vineyards. Bright ruby-red with sexy aromas of red and dark berry preserves, cola and anise, with slow-building florality. Juicy and penetrating on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors and a touch of black cardamom. It shows intensity on the finish, where the floral and cola notes echo strongly.” Steven Tanzer – International Wine Cellar – 91 Points!

2010 Squirt Gun Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($29.99)

Squirt Gun is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 4% Petite Verdot from vineyards in Oakville and Yountville. This delicious crowd pleasing cab has all the good traits of a great cab. Aromas of bing cherries, blackberries and tobacco. It is lush on the palate with aromatics of dark berries and current, anise and vanilla of course. Squirt gun has a decidedly smooth and rich finish.

2011 Carne Humana Napa Valley Red Wine ($34.99)

Carne Humana is a red wine blend sourced from six vineyards throughout the upper-Napa Valley sub-appellations of Calistoga, St. Helena, and Rutherford. Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Zinfandel are among the grape varieties chosen for this vintage. This wine has a scarlet purple edge in the glass with a crimson black core to confirm the bright freshness and ripe intensity of the wine. Aromas include cool pomace, dried fig, black licorice and cranberry. Supple tannin and mild acidity complement the fleshy fruit character – A broadly extracted wine with mild grip and texture and a full polished finish.

Hope to see you all out this weekend!