Candace is thinking,“How many more glasses must I pour him?”

We just received an urgent call from Candace Máté of Máté Wines asking us if we could help her create some shelf space in the chais for her recently bottled wine. She told us she was willing to offer us some very attractive prices for her 2010 Mantus Merlot and 2009 Albatro and also would release some of her excellent 2010 Rosso di Montalcino as an inducement. Each is only $25 the bottle! Earlier this year we offered the 2008 Albatro at $30 and the 2007 Mantus Merlot at $34. And, to make selecting simple, we have created a new Máté Tuscan Sampler containing two bottles each of these three delicious wines. We will be taking your orders for these stunning wines to the LCBO on Friday, September 14^th.

See our original bulletin to learn more about Máté Wines and its most interesting owners, Candace and Ferenc Máté.              

The Very Special Máté Wines – Montalcino, Tuscany
The Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grow contentedly in their own separate plots, crammed together 3,000 vines per acre in the finest part of the Montalcino appellation. Yields are kept extremely low by three annual green prunings to concentrate the flavours.  Then the grapes are hand picked at fullest maturity and fermented in small temperature-controlled stainless steel vats or new wooden barrels. The grapes are punched down by hand to extract colour and tannins while the must is kept cool to maintain the rich aromas of fruits and spices. The wines are aged for up to thirty months in Allier oak barriques and tonneaux. Whether in the vineyards or the winery, Ferenc and Candace are fanatical about every aspect of the creation of their wines. In metaphysical terms, doing it the best way possible is an absolute presupposition for the Mátés. As a result, their wines exhibit great refinement, depth and an abundance of unforgettable flavours.

2010 Rosso di Montalcino – 14.0% Alc./Vol.                      $25/$150 six-bottle case Made from 100% Sangiovese (Brunello) and aged in oak (20% new Allier) for thirteen months, this splendid wine is a brilliantly clear ruby colour. It is darker in colour than the 2009 and Candace says it is an even better, more serious wine. It has lovely, vibrant floral, fresh fruit, new leather and aniseed aromas. In the mouth - its fresh acidity with cherry and licorice flavours unfolding to dark chocolate and raspberry make it a pleasure to match with food. What foods? Medium weight dishes including pasta with meat sauce (natch!), poultry, mushrooms or truffles, risottos and pork or veal in sauce. In fact, darn near everything! This is a wine that drinks marvellously well in its youth but will also age quite happily for five to eight years. Members who ordered it before have given it rave reviews (me too!). This is a truly terrific wine value. Order your mini-Brunello now!

2009 Albatro – 15.0% Alc./Vol.                                           $25/$150 six-bottle case This vibrant powerhouse is made from equal parts Merlot and Sangiovese that was aged nineteen months in one, two and three year old Allier oak. It is a strong, clear ruby red. It offers up pronounced aromas of red fruit, plums and cedar with a hint of dark chocolate. In the mouth the prunes and red fruit persist with well integrated tannins, good acidity and pleasing length. There is wonderful depth of flavour and complexity here. Like all Máté wines, it should be decanted a couple of hours before serving a little below room temperature. It will go well with a wide range of foods, from roasted vegetables and grilled meats to medium cheeses. At $5 off the bottle, how can you resist?. Order your terrific, tasty Tuscan now.

2010 Mantus Merlot – 15.0% Alc./Vol                    $25/$150 six-bottle case This brooding little flavour bomb is made from 100% Merlot and was aged in one, three and four year old Allier oak for twenty months. It is a luminous ruby red and offers up generous aromas of cherries, prunes, licorice, dark chocolate, strawberry, leather and cigar box. It is soft and ripe in the mouth giving way to a long smoky finish of ripe fruit, raspberries and dark chocolate. This is an elegant wine with considerable depth and complexity. Drink happily now or hold for at least five years. Decant, cool slightly and enjoy with just about anything you like pairing with an expressive red wine. Order your marvellous Máté Manus Merlot now.

The Máté Tuscan Sampler – 14.0%-15.0% Alc./Vol         $25/$150 six-bottle case You get two bottles each of the 2010 Rosso, the 2009 Albatro and 2010 Manus Merlot. A sensational six-pack of tasty Tuscan treasures if ever there was one. Order your Tuscan treasure trove now.

Please note that the above prices include a $1 handling fee. We would be most grateful if you would pass this note on to anyone you think would be interested in some truly marvellous Tuscan wines lovingly crafted by a most remarkable couple – Candace and Ferenc Máté. Also, please invite your friends, relatives, acquaintances and casual strangers to join Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club – no annual fees or other obligations; just great wine. Cheers! Jim and Hélène jaswalker@arthursellers.com www.arthursellers.com hbuisson@ofrance.ca www.ofrance.ca