Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/5037
The mighty lion has for centuries defined strength, courage, honor and loyalty. Quattro Leoni, an homage to four great Italian families & their significant contribution to their home and lands in the hills of Piedmonte is now exclusivly available in the USA! Italian Luxury Winemaking Since 1108 AD! Imported By: Marquee Selections www.marquee.com 1.888.627.7833 Château La Nerthe in Los Angeles I n October, THE TASTING PANEL met with Alain Dugas, Managing Director at Château La Nerthe in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and wine- maker Christophe Bristiel, at The Boxwood Café by Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hol- lywood. La Nerthe's wine- growing history dates back to 1560, but Dugas was responsible for the rebirth of the property when it was purchased by the Richard family in 1985. The innovator, who introduced the concept of oak barrel aging in the ap- pellation, is now working on a consulting basis. The estate's two whites— the delicate and charming Ch. La Nerthe 2007 Blanc ($45) and its deeper, richer single-plot sibling, the 2004 Clos de Beauvenir ($85)— showed beautifully against the restaurant's succulent grouper with Jerusalem artichoke fondant. The clas- sic red Ch. La Nerthe 2005 ($45) was earthy and redo- lent with spice and cocoa notes; the velvety, magnificent 2004 Cuvée des Cadettes ($85) comes from the estate's oldest vines. Château La Nerthe has been certified organic since 1998, but maintains its deep- rooted heritage: "We have continued a tradition," says Dugas. —David Gadd Impressive OMBU Debuts N amed for a popular Argentine tree that grows in the Pampas grasslands, OMBU is a wine brand made by the Roca family, four generations of grape-growers in the prestigious San Rafael wine region, a two-hour drive south of Mendoza. At a recent dinner and tasting at The Wine Bistro in Studio City, CA, Roca im- pressed us with a line-up of varietals that included the iconic OMBU Malbec, but we were truly dazzled by the Chardonnay (its dichotomy between steeliness and weight- ed richness), the Pinot Noir (one of the few versions of this red in Argentina), the Cab- ernet Sauvignon (concentrated with ripe, generous fruit) and the all-star Merlot (see review on page 33), all line priced at $12. Imported and distributed by Specialty Cellars. Agent: DiVine Wines Winemaker Christophe Bristiel (left) and Managing Director Alain Dugas show the current Château La Nerthe range at The Boxwood Café by Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood. Robert Castellani (importer) of Specialty Cellars with OMBU Winemaker Alejandro Roca.