The Poesia Pasodoble finds its roots in the breathtaking landscape of Luján de Cuyo, where vineyards sweep across the background of the snow-capped Andes in the very near distance. More than merely what meets the eye, Luján de Cuyo was the first delineated wine appellation and is widely considered the most desirable of the Mendoza region. Roughly 70% of Argentina’s wine hails from Mendoza for good reason. In the foothills of the Andes and around 1,000 miles from the Atlantic, this region enjoys an abundance of sunshine, thanks to the mountain range’s rain shadow effect, coupled with high altitudes, which makes it incredibly favorable to Bordeaux varietals. Nestled in the upper Mendoza Valley, Luján de Cuyo enjoys the most premium real estate and advantageously strides the Mendoza River’s path from the Andes to the plains and sits at over 3000 feet in altitude. It is here that a historic Bordelaise family found a home in Argentina.
Patrice Lévêque and Hélène Garcin-Lévêque come from one of the great winemaking dynasties in Bordeaux. Patrice has served as winemaking decade for the famed Vignobles Garcin in Bordeaux for over a decade. Vignobles Garcin consists of four premium wineries, including Right Bank properties Barde-Haut and Clos L’Eglise, as well as two Left Bank estates Haut-Bergey in Graves and Chateau Branon in Pessac-Leognan. Nevertheless, the passionate couple wanted to bring their knowledge and legacy to the soils of Argentina. They searched for the perfect site to craft wines with their unique fingerprint and finally found the paradise they were looking for in Luján de Cuyo. Their 13 hectares are perched at 1050 meters above sea level amidst 200-year-old olive groves and fruit trees. Although their first harvest here was only in 2002, the vines are about 80 years old, which contributes to the concentration, complexity and immense depth of this exquisite blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Their treasured, mature vines are sustainably farmed without herbicides or pesticides, then hand harvested. The fruit is fermented in climate-controlled stainless and enjoys extended maceration. After twelve months in 20% new French oak and a minimum of twelve months in the bottle, the wine achieves the pitch-perfect balance that the old world couple always strives for. The result is an old world beauty with the personality of the best Argentina has to offer.
In the glass, the Pasodoble displays a nearly opaque garnet red core with orange reflections on the rim. The delicate and composed nose enchant with aromas of redcurrant, blackcurrant and blackberry woven into dried violets, clay, cocoa powder, leather, tobacco and very subtle olive and meat from the small percentage of Syrah. Medium-plus in body, the palate in ethereally soft with perfectly integrated tannins, richness, body and a silky, seductive quality that evolves into a magnificently dusty finish that is pure joy to experience. This wine opens up quickly so decant gently for sediment then serve at 60-65 degrees in Bordeaux stems. Although this finessed example of Argentina can easily charm with Cassoulet, Duck or Roast Chicken, a traditional preparation of
Grass-fed Steak with Chimichurri Sauce is something you must try with at least one bottle of this wine.
