Top 5 Wines of 2019!
Grand Cata’s Top 5 wines include a fresh Portuguese red, traditional method sparkler and textbook single vineyard Malbec, Chilean dry farmed low intervention Carignan and a unique rare white from Jerez in Spain!
Every year, we have the pleasure of compiling a Top 5 Wines list. We aim with this list to tell the story of Grand Cata over the past year. We particularly focused on what customers liked, new discoveries we made in styles and regions, and honest wines that our staff gravitated towards. The Grand Cata team chose these 5 wines and we did a voting to rate each one. The rankings below represent the order according to our wonderful staff. Transparency and over delivery for the value of the wines were a must. These are the wines that made an impression in our hearts in 2019.
António Lopes Ribeiro Vinho Tinto “Maresia ‘16” - Tondela, Portugal - $24
Top wine of the year, this was the year of rediscovering Portuguese wines, both co-founders visited this Iberian nation and came back inspired by the quality and history of Portuguese wines. This wine crafted by Antonio Lopes is an elegant, fresh, and a bit salty with pleasant round tannins - this wine checks so many of the boxes of what we love in wine. Fresh red fruits, enticing aromatics, structure, equilibrium and drinkability. This Vinhao based blend comes from northern Portugal where it’s a bit cooler with a consistent breeze. The grapes grow in layers of schist soils and sand. Enjoy with a seafood medley of mussels, prawns and calamari, such as the traditional Portigues dish amêijoas na cataplana. Only 16 bottles available in the store
2. “Alma 4” Sparkling Chardonnay 2014 - $27
A delightful “Blanc de Blanc” traditional method from high altitude, Uco Valley in Mendoza. Alma 4 is a project of four longtime friends led by esteem winemaker Sebastian Zuccardi. Our co-founder Pedro met Sebastian in Mendoza in late March, 2019 and tasted this beauty. The nose on this wine is like stepping into a bakery, with notes of sourdough, brioche, pear, green apple and honey. The mouth-feel is extraordinary, with perfectly sized bubbles and bracing acidity. Enjoy with hors d'oeuvres, sliced fruits, and soft to semi-soft cheeses. Only 36 bottles available in the store.
3. Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Malbec 2014 - Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina - $133
A true expression of terroir and winemaking vision, this Malbec shows the prowess of the producer - Zuccardi is arguably one of the best in Argentina at crafting Malbec - and the special nature of the high altitude single vineyard characterized by large calcareous rocks. The wine showcases polished, yet intense aromas of minerals, violets, and blueberries with subtle notes of rosemary and dill. Layers and layers of wild dark fruits, complexity and terroir! This is a Malbec to savor now or hold 10-15 years, it truly reflects the transition to more quality fruit, all the work being done in the vineyards and less manipulation or oak treatment of the wines in the cellar. Enjoy with herb roasted lamb. Only 4 bottles available in the store.
4. Tinto de Rulo Old Vine Carignan 2016 - Maule Valley, Chile - $34
This unfiltered, unfined, beauty made from 100% Carignan uses native yeast fermentation with minimal intervention and comes from the heart of the Maule Valley in Chile. We are lovers of Carignan, we describe Carignan as grape with great personality and nerve that keeps us coming back to it after every sip. A touch smoky, wonderfully balanced, with fruit flavors of pomegranate, cranberry, and tart raspberry, this wine expertly represents the history, traditions, and tastes of Chile. Serve with honey glazed ham sprinkled with merquen and paprika. Only 18 bottles available in the store.
5. Atlántida Blanco 2016 by Alberto Orte - Cadiz, Jerez, Spain - $39
This gem was an amazing find, coming from the country of fortified wines, Sherry de Jerez this still white wine made a mark in our palates. Winemaker Alberto Orte made this wine from a varietal that has nearly gone extinct, Vijiriega. Rescuing then showcasing grapes native to his homeland is a passion of Alberto’s and the results are both stunningly delicious and unique. Of all the wines on this list, this has the most obvious personality. We’ve never tasted anything quite like it due to the unique albariza soils and fresh sea water breeze caressing the vines. It has a wonderful combination of ripe tropical fruits, particularly papaya, intense minerality, and a heightened aromatic profile that is floral in the same way that wild bee honey is. Drink this wine while savoring lobster. The sweetness of the lobster meat and butter will play perfectly with the richness of the wine, while the wine’s freshness provides balance. Only 18 bottles available in the store.