The Honest Pour with John Lenart

Just over 30 years ago the great Bordeaux house Chateau Lafite Rothschild laid stake in the new world with its purchase of Los Vascos in the Colchagua province in Chile. To run the business they hired Claudio Naranjo, a young financial consultant who aided them in the purchase, as the General Manager. Decades later, Naranjo still holds that position but with a much deeper understanding of, and more importantly, a passion for wine. Today, Claudio is responsible for maintaining what is referred to as “The Spirit of Lafite” here in the new world. While making some great red wines, headed by Le Dix de Los Vascos, grand cuvee, one of the wines that most impressed from the Los Vascos portfolio is a $10 sauvignon blanc. This wine is among the best $10 wines I have ever tasted.

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Claudio Naranjo, General Manager, Viña Los Vascos

2017 Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc

Aromas of lime, grapefruit, subtle notes of passion fruit, and salinity. On the palate mouth watering acidity leads to flavors of tart apple, lemon, with a hint of minerality. This could easily be one of the greatest values in wine at just $10 per bottle.

SRP: $10

2015 Los Vascos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Pretty and complex nose of red fruit, dutch cocoa and just a breath of mint. On the palate flavor of cranberry, black cherry and baking spices. A soft texture with good balance and fine tannin make this an elegant drinker. Another  super value at $21 per bottle.

SRP:  $21

2014 Los Vascos Le Dix

This grand cuvee is primarily cabernet sauvignon, blended with syrah, and carmenere, from vines up to 80 years old. Aged for 18 months in new and used oak it presents aromas of dark fruit like  black plum, blackberry, with hints of milk chocolate and graphite. Lovely balance, great tannins, and balanced acidity make this wine one to age for a decade or more, if you can wait that long!

SRP: $70

Sometimes touring Napa Valley wineries can become a bit repetitive. Cabernet, cabernet and more cabernet. Now, I love Napa cab, but a brief departure from it can offer a palate refreshing break. A great place for this break is Benessere. Founded in 1994 by John and Ellen Benish, they wanted a place to remind them of a beloved trip to Italy they had taken. So, instead of planing more cabernet, they committed to planing Italian varieties like sangiovese, aglianico and even sagrantino.  While John sadly passed away in October of 2018, his family is committed to maintaining his vision of producing wonderful wines using grape varieties from Italy. Benessere’s winemaker, Matt Reid says he makes wine because “it makes me happy and I want to share that happiness.” His wines convey this happiness. Beautiful Italian-like acidity, balanced by the sun-kissed fruit of Napa make for some very special wines.  I met with Ryan Shenk, DTC Sales and Hospitality Manager at Benessere to walk the vineyards of Benessere and of course, to taste some delicious wines.

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Ryan Shenk, Benessere Vineyards

2016 Benessere Sangiovese

Pale garnet in color. Aromas of fresh strawberry, cherries, and a bit of toasty oak. On the palate this medium bodied wine shows flavors of cherry, leather, mocha, with hints of anise. Fine, grippy tannins and mouth watering acidity make this a wine which screams for food.

SRP: $38

2015 Benessere Phenomenon, Super Tuscan Blend

Aroma of roses, fresh herbs and fresh red berries. The body of this wine is nicely balanced, neither too rich nor too lean. Flavors of cranberry, currant, and blueberry, with a touch of menthol. Bright acid and super fine tannin finish this finessed wine.

SRP:  $60

2015 Benessere Aglianico, Collins Holystone Vineyard

Intense garnet color. Rich aromas of dark plum, black cherry, blueberry, lavender and notes of black pepper. This full bodied wine is balanced by a nice minerality, youthful grippy tannin and flavors of grenadine, cola, and vanilla.

SRP:  $62

2015 Benessere Sagrantino

Deep ruby in color this wine presents finessed aromas of dark fruits, exotic spices and forest floor. Like sagrantino from Umbria this wine has a massive tannic structure, but is balanced out bu Napa Valley sunshine that brings about lush fruit with whispers of cocoa and espresso. Enjoy with lamb. You can thank me later.

SRP:  $60