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Tikal is owned by Ernesto Catena, son of Argentine wine pioneer Nicolás Catena, and is named after his son. Ernesto spent his childhood in the vineyards of Mendoza among wine-growers and his father's wine industry friends. Since then, he has experienced many cultures, living in New York, Buenos Aires, California, Milan and London. But his heart remains in his homeland of Argentina, where he now lives full-time, with its natural beauty of mountains, streams and vineyards, its wines, and its people who hold a special passion for living. He strives to produce wines with a style meant to provide enormous pleasure rather than provoke serious contemplation. 'Patriota' is a blend of 60% Bonarda (the second most widely planted red grape in Argentina) and 40% Malbec (the most widely planted). The vines average 40+ years, all of the fruit is hand picked, and the wine is ultimated aged for 12 months in French and American oak. The wine tastes like a fresh, exhuberant bowl of mixed ripe berries. Rich yet balanced, with luscious layers of raspberry, cherry, and cocoa flavors, and a hint of baking spice on the finish, this wine pairs well with grilled meats such as beef and pork, rich stews and soups, and pizza with meat toppings.
Wine Advocate
The 2007 Patriota is a blend of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec aged in 70% French oak (40% new) and 30% second use American oak. Purple-colored, it offers an alluring bouquet of spice box, black cherry, and blueberry. Supple and flavorful on the palate, additional notes of raspberry and chocolate emerge, accompanied by a complex, rich wine with good structure and length. It way over-delivers for its modest price.
Score: 92.
—Jay Miller,
December
2008.
International Wine Cellar
Sweet aromas of dark berries, tar, mocha and licorice. Lush and sweet, with ripe acidity and enticing floral lift perking up the blackberry fruit. Very sexy, sweet wine with lovely length-and unusually smooth for a wine made from a majority of Bonarda. Finishes with sweet tannins and impressive length. Not the last word in complexity, but this very ripe wine is a no-brainer. According to the importer, this is the highest-volume imported wine from Argentina in the $25-and-over price range.
Score: 90.
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