I was recently invited to lunch with Jose Antonio “Pepe” Galante whose 2015 harvest marks the 40th year that he has made wine in Argentina. I met him many years ago when I visited Argentina and Catena, where he spent three decades. Catena’s loss is Bodegas Salentein’s gain. Famed international winemaking consultant Paul Hobbs said of Jose: “He produced the wine which catapulted Malbec and Argentine wines onto the international stage. He is Argentina’s greatest winemaker of our times.” A small group of wine writers were invited (by Balzac Communications) to Valbella Ristorante in the meatpacking district of Manhattan (13th near 11thAve). Kudos to the chef and staff, especially Sani, who made the luncheon a success. There are five private dining rooms on the second floor (surrounded by wine racks), plus a chef’s table in the kitchen. I will be back to Valbella very soon. Matias Bauza Moreno, the PR & Luxury Portfolio Manager of the parent company that owns Salentein, as well as a representative of their importer Palm Bay International, joined us for lunch. Bodegas Salentein has pioneered premium winemaking in the Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. Pepe calls the area “a paradise for winemakers.” The average temperature is 57 degrees F with altitudes from 3,000-3,900 feet above sea level. There is a long growing season with 250 sunny days a year, little rain with the area very warm during the day and cool at night, all conducive to growing quality wine grapes. There were five wines served with lunch and all were my favorites. I loved the fact that the front and back labels told a story and explained everything about each wine. Too many labels today give no clue as to the varietal breakdown, aging process, food combinations, etc. Bravo to Bodegas Salentein for winning my heart and taste buds. I am not a Chardonnay person but the first wine with lunch was the 2012 Single Vineyard Chardonnay. Aged 12 months in oak barrel it was soft and buttery and not like any Chardonnay I have tasted in the past few months- $50.What followed were four red wines, each more delicious than the previous wine. Normally I do not rate wines but weave a story about what I taste. This story is a day I will not soon forget. The 2013 Malbec Reserve spent 12 months in oak and was unfiltered. It is 100% Malbec and retails for $18 (a bargain). The 2012 Numina was 60% Malbec with the rest a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It spent 16 months in French oak and retails for $40. Primum Malbec 2012 had 18 months in French oak barrels followed by 12 months bottle aging before being released for sale- $65. The final wine was the 2011 Gran Vu that was 73% Malbec and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barrel fermented for 24 months and retails for $120. Several of my writer friends will probably ask me why the wines were somewhat pricey. I say to them: Taste the wines and then you can have an opinion. I left the restaurant a happy camper and can’t wait to taste these wines again. BRAVO Pepe.www.saleentein.com
