Chateau Le Cacheflo 2010 – Tobin James

Tobin James 2010 Chateau Le Cacheflo

 

A recent wine discovery, this red blend out of Paso Robles has been a big hit with all of whom I have shared it with. At the store it is a hand sell due to it not being well-known. At home it’s an easy pour,  I am surrounded by wine lovers.  Our mantra should be POUR. Which is actually not a bad idea for t-shirts….

Sunday Supper a few weeks back found the Chateau Le Cacheflo winning the popularity contest among four or five other wines brought by the afore-mentioned vino lovers. Other good red blends were in attendance but the Cacheflo was the best balanced with intricate flavor layers worth pondering.

I was originally introduced to the wines of Tobin James by the Sommelier at Morton’s Steak House – North Miami Beach via their Cabernet Sauvignon.  It left a mark.  Months later when I realized Tobin James was approved for sale at Whole Foods Market I could not have been happier.

The blend is reported to be; Syrah, Barbera and Sangiovese. What is referred to by the winemaker as Mediterranean varietals.  Prior to researching I listed Syrah/Shiraz, Sangiovese and possibly Malbec on the nose. Now I see that the Barbera is what most likely gives this wine its body and richness.

I believe I have now had the Cacheflo at least three times in as many weeks. Glad to report; it was worthy every time. The name itself is a play on CASH FLOW. Originally started as a way of making wine under his own label from available left-over grapes and a way to get the cash to flow.  Their Zinfandel started this way too. With excess grapes a grower needed to move.  Tobin James worked his magic into an award-winning wine and launched Tobin James Cellars.

My notes:

Resilient legs [14.8% ALC]. On the nose; fruit forward [casis, blackberry], jammy, spices [nutmeg, vanilla], tobacco box, cedar and even tar [in a good way].

On the palate; a WOW at first sip, red and dark fruit [black cherry] well-balanced, robust, mouth-watering medium acidity.  A cherry finish with fruit softening and delicate wood appearing.

To learn more about Tobin James check out PasoWine.com where you can find out about his humble wine beginnings, becoming the founding wine maker at Peachy Canyon and recently being awarded the 2010 PASO ROBLES WINE INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR.

At a retail price of $15.99 or less this easy drinker is a great example of what an everyday to some, weekend wine to others, should be.  This is a welcome addition to Whole Foods Market North Miami and my home cellar. Yes, still the guest room after all these years.

¡SALUD!

 

Notes from the Winemaker: 

Paso Robles is one of the most unique growing areas in the world. So many varietals excel here that the focus has been on the production of great red wines.

In keeping with this great tradition, the wine community has discovered that the Mediterranean varietals flourish and develop distinct and unequivocal character in Paso Robles. This wonderful blend of Mediterranean varietals includes; Syrah, Sangiovese and Barbera.

Year after year Tobin James has produced this Highly acclaimed “Cache-flo” for you to enjoy with just about anything!

 

 

 

Wine Discovery of the Week – DiamAndes 2012 Perlita Malbec-Syrah

One of the perks of my job as a Wine Buyer is that I am regularly offered new products to taste and carry at our store. Of course these visits by our distributors can go either way. But every once in a while a wine leaves its mark. That is exactly what happened as I discovered this pearl.

Among four or five wines tasted including high-end Pinot Noirs and a unoaked Chardonnay, the Perlita  [little pearl in spanish] 2012 Malbec-Syrah blend from Argentina was for me the instant hit.

 

From Wines of Argentina:

It’s in 1999 that Michel Rolland along with 6 other Bordeaux winemakers founded the Clos de los Siete : an innovative and unique concept : More than 850 hectares divided in 7 plots, each one with its own winery. The vineyard is located in Mendoza, in the heart of the Uco valley, one of the best quality vineyard areas in Argentina. In 2005, the Bonnie family, owners of the renowned Grand Cru Classé Château Malartic-Lagravière, and its neighboring Pessac-Léognan Château Gazin Rocquencourt became part of this Argentinean adventure. Through the purchase, along with their partners, of a single estate of 130 hectares within the Clos de Los Siete, Bodega DiamAndes was born.

The 2012 Perlita is 80% Malbec 20% Syrah harvested April 3rd-15th and aged [100%] 10 months in french oak. Having never experienced such a blend I was very impressed with how each varietal improved upon each other. The Malbec spice balanced out the Syrah richness of fruit.

My notes;

Deep dark rich burgundy purple in color. At 14.5% ALC I was surprised to not see much legs on the glass at first but somehow they seemed to develop and linger in mere minutes. Dark fruit and tobacco on the nose. On the palate; good and noticeable acidity, fruit forward [blackberry] yet balanced with spice [vanilla]. Medium plus body with medium tannins.

As you can probably imagine this wine is now sitting proudly on our shelves at Whole Foods Market North Miami.  I am pretty sure I would have brought this wine in anyway but the deciding factor was its price. Usually available under $20 it is presently on-sale for $13.99. I will excitedly be introducing this wine to our customers who tend to lean towards fruit forward but well-balanced wines. Having bought  a couple of bottles for our cellar just last week: it may already be time to replenish.  ¡SALUD!  To discovering the pearls in life!

 

 

Technical info from Bodega Diamandes:

130 hectares
Terroir: Clay and sand with a a large quantity of pebbles. In the Uco Valley, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of 1100 m.
Planting density: 5 500 plants per ha
Vine care: Vertical trellising, green harvest, handed leaf thinning
Harvest: Handed picking with small crates, cooling in cold room, handed double sorting. No crushing
Vinification: Entirely gravity-operated process. Gentle extractions with fractional pumping over; slow, fermentation kinetics at low temperatures.
64 small temperature-controlled stainless steel vats (isolated with a double jacket). Unique in South America !
Consultant Oenologist: Michel Rolland