Motivational Tasting Notes, 9/16

A very different take on our tasting notes for this event:

ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTES 2009

One of my favorite quotes is “The world is as you see it.”  If you see the world as dangerous, other people as untrustworthy, and the economy as unstable, that will strongly influence not only your attitude but your experience, and therefore your life.  I prefer to view the world as full of possibility, people as fundamentally good, and life as a blessing that is full of opportunity.  Such as the chance to taste this wine, with its “attractive mineral notes, spice, honey, and melon.”  A round and stylish Torrontes.  90 points Wine Advocate.  $9.97.

SAN TELMO CABERNET SAUVIGNON ESENCIA 2009

Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player ever, said “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”  He was obviously talking about being bold enough to take action, and that we’ll never get anywhere if we don’t.  The winemaking team at San Telmo took action to create this lovely Cab, meant for sharing with friends and family in a spirit of harmony.  Enjoy its flavors of blackberry and spice balanced with sweet tannins.  88 points Bill.  $7.97.

ZUCCARDI SERIE A BONARDA 2009

Another of my favorite aphorisms is this:  “Success comes in cans.  Failure comes in can’ts.”  Once again, the importance of attitude.  “Whether you believe you can, or believe you can’t, you’re right.”  The folks at Zuccardi were determined to craft excellent wines at affordable prices, and here’s another example.  It’s muscular but balanced, with blackberry pie flavors and a chewy, chocolaty finish.  90 points Wine Enthusiast.    $9.97.

NUNA BONARDA 2009

“The greatest results in life come from common sense and perseverance.” – Owen Feltham.  Very true, because believing you can means little if you don’t keep trying.  This Bonarda shows rich flavors of plums and berries dusted by cocoa powder and a finish that keeps persevering.  90 points Bill Tobin.  $15.97.

TEMPUS ALBA MALBEC 2008

John Maxwell said “My quality of life depends 10% on what happens to me and 90% on how I react to it.”  Stuff happens, and sometimes it’s bad stuff.  But setbacks are opportunities – to learn, regroup, and overcome.  A good wine can help us regroup, like this one, with plum, boysenberry, raisin, cocoa and spice.  88 W.S.  $12.97.

PASCUAL TOSO RESERVE MALBEC 2009

Then there’s James Barrie, who said “if you have love, you don’t need anything else. If you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter much what else you have.”  Cheers to that.  One of the reasons I love wine so much is the way it brings us closer together.  Share a bottle of this with loved ones and see what I mean.  Its ripe red fruit, black pepper, violets and vanilla spice will enhance any occasion.  89 points Jim Tobin.  $18.97.

TIKAL AMORIO MALBEC 2008

We close with an old Italian proverb – “After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box.”  The differences between us are many and glorious, but we all breathe the same, eat the same, drink the same… and yes, we’ll all meet our Maker one day.  So why not respect and honor one another while we’re here?  And share wines like this dense, layered beauty, with its rich fruit and exotic bouquet.  93 points Wine Enthusiast. $29.97.