Arthur Sellers Bulletin Archive
Candace Máté of Máté Wines and I have been plotting this most recent offering of her fine Tuscan wines over the past couple of weeks, during which time I learned that she met her husband Ferenc on Victoria Day several years ago. She was walking and he was driving by in this lovely Porsche Roadster. It seems that it wasn’t just his suave European manner that won her over! (See our original bulletin to learn more about Máté Wines and its most interesting owners, Candace and Ferenc Máté. But, I digress.
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. As a result, their wines exhibit great refinement, depth and an abundance of unforgettable flavours.
2011 Rosso di Montalcino – 15.0% Alc./Vol. $29/$174 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 a bright ruby colour and 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. $28/$168 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. Order your terrific, tasty Tuscan now.
2010 Mantus Merlot – 15.0% Alc./Vol. $33/$198 six-bottle case The top Italian Merlot of the vintage, 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.
JAMESSUCKLING.COM James Suckling on jamessuckling.com: Wonderful aromas of blueberries and cream follow through to a full body with well-integrated tannins and a medium finish. Sleek structure with a caressing mouthfeel. Pretty wine from a favorite producer of Brunello di Montalcino. Better in 2015. 91/100
Order your mighty, marvellous Máté Mantus Merlot now.
2010 Mania Cabernet Sauvignon – 14.5% Alc./Vol. $39/$234 six-bottle case Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this big expressive wine spent twenty two months in one, two and three year old Allier oak. I love this wine. Like the 2007, it reminds me of a very good, top notch Napa Cab. A bright ruby colour, it offers up complex aromas of jammy red fruit, old saddle leather, cedar, macaroons and vanilla. Big, brawny and full of zesty fruit when first opened, it settles down and mellows out after a couple of hours in the decanter. But it remains complex, balanced, long and very, very pleasing. Your patience will be richly rewarded if you can leave it in the cellar for five or so years. This lovely Cab will go wonderfully with barbequed steak, roast pork or game. Order your saucy Italian stunner now!
2007 Brunello di Montalcino – 15.0% Alc./Vol. $56/$336 six-bottle case This outstanding Brunello di Montalcino is made from 100% Sangiovese that rested 30 months in two, three and four year old Allier oak. It then remained eighteen months in the bottle before release. It is a deep garnet-ruby colour with a nose that is packed with aromas of cherries, blackberries, spices, flowers and licorice. In the mouth it offers up a complexity of flavours including plums, cherries, wild berries, dark chocolate and tobacco that keep evolving in the glass. This full-bodied beauty is wonderfully balanced with bright acidity and silky tannins. And, the medley of flavours seems to linger forever.
JAMESSUCKLING.COM James Suckling on jamessuckling.com, January 15, 2012 pronounced: Aromas of leather, dried citrus rind and berries, follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Lively acidity. Lots of dried citrus character, savory. Drink now or hold. 93/100.
Wine Enthusiast magazine : A ripe fruit element that is perfectly contained and just short of seeming overdone or overtly jammy. It’s soft and round with loads of oak-driven spice, like cinnamon and ground clove, and plump tones of red cherry, blackberry and plum. What’s really nice here is the fresh density and overall supple texture. 94/100
What more can I say? Order your tantalizing Tuscan treat now.
2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva – 15.0% Alc./Vol $79/$474 six-bottle case This is the Máté’s first Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. Basically, this is the best of the best of their Brunello di Montalcino. As Candace notes, “Before bottling a vintage, Peter (Candace and Ferenc’s son), our enologist Francesca (who worked for Gaja until last year) and I, barrel taste everything. We put aside a small percentage of the best of the vintage - roughly 2,000 litres. It stays in barrels for another 9 to 12 months before bottling. Brunello Riserva can't be released until the 6th year after the harvest.”
Wine Enthusiast magazine: This bold and beautiful riserva shows a modern touch of ripe fruit and spice that drives the wine smoothly over the palate. An array of delicate aromas appear on the backend, including vibrant cherry, cigar box, pomegranate, cassis and lingering notes of smoky tobacco. This is a muscular and intriguing wine from a producer worth watching. 93/100.
JAMESSUCKLING.COM James Suckling on jamessuckling.com: This is tangy and delicious with juicy fruit and a clean berry, cedar and light chocolate character. Medium to full body. Drink now or hold. 92/100.
Order your titanic Tuscan treasure now.
The Máté Tuscan Sampler – 14.0%-15.0% Alc./Vol. $48/$288 six-bottle case You get one bottle each of our featured Máté wines: the 2010 Rosso di Montalcino; the 2009 Albatro; the 2010 Manus Merlot; the 2010 Mania Cabernet Sauvignon; the 2007 Brunello di Montalcino, and: the 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. 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 small 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
