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| Meet the Winemaker with Mauricio Lorca, Lorca Wine October 10, 2007 with Kitchen 1924 Young and highly talented, Mauricio Lorca (chief winemaker at Enrique Foster and formerly of Chilean-owned giant Finca La Celia, Catena, and Luigi Bosca) started creating his own wines with grapes from his high-altitude vineyards in Vistaflores, Uco Valley, just four years ago. All of these exceptional grapes come from 30 hectares of 5-year old, densely planted (300 feet per acre), surface-irrigated vineyards that produce 2 pounds per vine of Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Through meticulous vineyard management, Lorca achieves a yield of 2.2 pounds per plant: 8 bunches of 4.2-4.6 ounces each, which reflects his disciplined approach to winemaking, as the potential yield of the vineyards is 7.5 tons per acre. Lorca is also one of the few Argentine winemakers who believes that the true fruit and terroir of a wine should be allowed to shine through; with this philosophy he crafts his Ópalo line without aging the wines in oak at all. The Fantasía line sees just a touch of oak, and the Poético line is aged for between 6 months and a year in French oak barrels of one use. This is a bodega to watch and Lorca is a star on the rise. www.opalowines.comFantasía Chardonnay 2006: 2,000 cases made of this 100% Chardonnay from Lorca’s meticulously cared for, low-yield vineyards; this is a fresh, tropical Chardonnay in the vein of the southern French easy drinkers. Hand harvested, it is fermented in controlled temperatures in stainless steel tanks, spending 6 months in these tanks. The tropical notes of kiwi, banana, pineapple, and mango are pronounced on the nose, and follow up on the palate, with added notes of pear and a crisp acidity. A fantastic cocktail party wine, an easy quaff that walks right up and shakes your hand!Fantasía Torrontés 2006: 1,200 cases produced of this 100% Torrontés, Argentina’s most emblematic grape, from vineyards in the famed Torrontés region La Rioja. Without even a trace of oak (stainless steel fermented), this wonderful summer aperitif or picnic wine has fresh tropical notes of lychee, rose petals, and mangoes, as well as a finish reminiscent of peach pits. The acidity is well-balanced with the lush fruit, and the wine gives a little peek-a-boo of sweetness before finishing dry. This can also be the perfect marriage for spicy Mexican or especially Thai food, as the tropical notes blend with the ginger and spice for an exciting pairing that puts typical Chardonnay to shame. "By the year 2015, the greatness of Argentinean wines made from the Malbec grape will be understood as a given. This French varietal, which failed so miserably on its home soil in Bordeaux, has reached startling heights of quality in Argentina. Both inexpensive, delicious Malbecs and majestic, profoundly complex ones from high-elevation vineyards are already being produced, and by 2015 this long-ignored grape's place in the pantheon of noble wines will be guaranteed." - Robert Parker Ópalo Malbec 2006: Only 1,000 cases were made of this completely unique wine. The grapes come from meticulously tended, low yield, high altitude vineyards in the Valle de Uco. The wine sees no oak at all—it is fermented in stainless steel and aged for a short period in cement tanks, a practice which really allows the pure and juicy fruit really to shine through, unmasked by oak. So juicy, it just calls out for roast meat!Lorca Poético Malbec 2004: Only 1,000 cases were made of this blend of 85% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Syrah aged 12 months in French oak barrels and three months in bottle. Choosing to use oak here, Mauricio Lorca still doesn't overdo it, and this is a structured, elegant blend. On the nose it has notes of mint and white pepper combined with the subtle aroma of French oak. On the palate it is sweet and velvety with a long, persistent finish. The Cabernet Sauvignon lends great complexity and structure. This wine can compete with any California Cabernet as a great full bodied red wine. Wine Enthusiast rated and reviewed Lorca Poético Malbec 2004 awarding it 89points. Lorca Poético Cabernet Sauvignon 2003: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Malbec, this wine spends approximately 12 months in French oak and then nearly a year in bottle. Its color is a very attractive, intense red. On the nose it has sweet pepper aromas, along with a red fruit complexity lent by the Malbec, and a smoothness lent by the French oak. Those flavors continue on the palate, where the wine is structured with great tannins and a very long finish.Wine Enthusiast rated and reviewed Lorca Poético Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 awarding it 91points and its “Editors Choice” wine. Lorca Gran Ópalo 2006: Lorca has created one of his best wines ever with this one, of which around 1,500 bottles are made. Here he puts his blending skills to excellent use, perfectly marrying Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Syrah (30%), Malbec (30%), and Petit Verdot (10%). Each cluster of grapes from Lorca’s vineyards in the Uco Valley of Mendoza is hand selected with only the best grapes going into the wine. In order to allow the fruit and terroir to shine through, Lorca opts not to age the wine in oak, and it is a true treat to taste. The nose explodes with aromas of spices, plums, blackberries, and a note of mint. On the palate it is a delight, and its many layers reveal themselves increasingly as the bottle sits open. A genuine masterpiece of unadulterated winemaking. |
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