Air Street workshop on Malbec [ 14/03/2013 ]. A tasting of Chateau du Cedre, Pulenta Estate Malbec & Bodega Noemia's J Alberto.

2. Chateau du Cedre
Family estate run by Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe (2nd generation of Flemish descent);
27 hectares of vines that range from 20 to 55 years old and a vineyard team of 12 people
(1 person for 2.25 hectares of vine aprox.).
Organic farming: In the early nineties all herbicides were banned from the vineyards and
managed to get rid of all chemical spraying agents by 2002. "By building up the terroir
and getting closer to nature, the vines gained balance, giving more taste and quality to the
grapes".
Style: Red
Producer: Chateau du Cedre
Country: France
Region: Cahors
Varietal: 90% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 5% Tannat
Vintage: 2009
Tasting Notes: Dark and opaque colour; lots of dark fruit, smoke, chocolate and spices on the
nose. Feels dense and full bodied, notes of dark fruit and cinnamon in the palate; crisp
tannins and a balanced acidity.
Good match with the Tamworth belly ribs or Potted beef and bacon

4. Pulenta Estate Malbec
Founded by a young Italian immigrant couple in the early 1900’s, now in its third generation currently
live in Pulenta Estate.
Located in Alto Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. Their 135 hectare-vineyard grows at 980
metres above sea level with huge temperature ranges, all of which create favourable conditions for
an adequate ripening of the grapes.
The vines, brought from France and Italy and planted by (2nd generation) Antonio Pulenta, flourish at
the feet of the Andes Range. Melt water flowing from the mountains irrigates the Estate. Philosophy:
“Making a great wine is an act of generosity, considering always the one who will taste it. Our
mission is to produce limited series of great wines, proudly made in Argentina”.
Style: Red
Producer: Pulenta
Country: Argentina
Region: Alto Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo
Varietal: 100% Malbec
Vintage: 2010
Age: Planted in 1992
Tasting Notes: Deep and intense in colour, dark cherry, blackberry and plum on the nose. Full bodied,
complex and elegant palate.
Great match with big steak cuts (Prime Rib, Porterhouse).

5. Bodega Nomeia J Alberto
The estate is situated in the Rio Negro (Black River) Valley, an ex glacier which is 310 miles long (nearly
500 km) and 15.5 miles large (25 km) at 250 yards (230 mts) above sea level. The valley’s
microclimate is under the influence of two rivers deriving from the Andes, the Neuquen and the
Limay which form into the Rio Negro. Channels which would irrigate the valley were created in the
1820’s, thus forming a type of oasis in the middle of the desert.
The climate is dry, there is no pollution and high purity of sunlight (great photosynthesis). There is vast
thermal amplitude (hot days, cold nights). The four seasons are very precise; mild spring, hot
summer, mild autumn and a cold winter.
Style: Red
Producer: Bodega Noemia
Country: Argentina
Region: Rio Negro, Patagonia
Varietal: 95% Malbec, 5%Merlot
Vintage: 2011
Tasting Notes: Dark purple-y colour. Very fresh nose of violets and dark spices. Lean and crisp in style
with juicy succulent black and blue fruits on the mid palate. Medium to full bodied, finishes with
tangy tannins, notes of violets, lilacs and exotic spices.
Great match with a Sirloin.

6. Bodega Nomeia J Alberto
The estate is situated in the Rio Negro (Black River) Valley, an ex glacier which is 310 miles long (nearly
500 km) and 15.5 miles large (25 km) at 250 yards (230 mts) above sea level. The valley’s
microclimate is under the influence of two rivers deriving from the Andes, the Neuquen and the
Limay which form into the Rio Negro. Channels which would irrigate the valley were created in the
1820’s, thus forming a type of oasis in the middle of the desert.
The climate is dry, there is no pollution and high purity of sunlight (great photosynthesis). There is vast
thermal amplitude (hot days, cold nights). The four seasons are very precise; mild spring, hot
summer, mild autumn and a cold winter.
Style: Red
Producer: Bodega Noemia
Country: Argentina
Region: Rio Negro, Patagonia
Varietal: 95% Malbec, 5%Merlot
Vintage: 2011
Tasting Notes: Dark purple-y colour. Very fresh nose of violets and dark spices. Lean and crisp in style
with juicy succulent black and blue fruits on the mid palate. Medium to full bodied, finishes with
tangy tannins, notes of violets, lilacs and exotic spices.
Great match with a Sirloin.