Well equipped Weinert

Winemaker Hubert Weber from Bodegas Weinert is visiting Trondheim.
Weber is originally from Switzerland, but has for the pas 15 years been winemaker in Argentina.
I am really looking forward to it, as the wines from Weinert have always been among my favourites.
Bodegas y Cavas de Weinert was founded in 1975 and is situated in Mendoza, Argentina’s best wine area.
The philosophy is simple: Weinert shall produce wines of high quality, and so they do.
All wines are sold, well made with real punch.

Weinert Merlot 2003 (no. 57002 at kr. 220,-) is one of my favourites to lamb.
This wine is now over 7 years old, and the merlot grape displays itself from mature and very nice side.
Round and good body, exiting aroma and good length. A great wine.

Weinert Malbec 2003 (no. 43042 – kr. 220,-) is more powerful stuff.
The grapes come from old vines and are bought from different growers.
Weber tells me about a lady which has her own vineyard. She cares for it as her garden. So nice, I reply.
Yes in a way, but she water too much. The grapes get too large, says the winemaker smiling.
However, it is not noticeable in the wine. We swirl the glass and up floats aromas of blue plums, cinnamon, cherry and good balsamico vineager.
Powerful wine with distinct tannins, lot of dark fruit and high alcohol which is hardly noticeable.
Hubert (we are titling each other by first name now) and look a bit surprised. Today the wine scent of sandalwood tree.
He has right. The exotic scent of sandalwood tree is much used in the perfume industry, and shall have a calming, erotic and antidepressive impact.
If it is the sandalwood tree which has an influence or not, is difficult to say, but next wine –

Gran Vino Cavas de Weinert 2002 (no. 34761 kr. 200,-) is something special.
This is the reason why I wished to work as a winemaker at Weinert, says Hubert and tells how impressed he was the first time he tasted the wine.
Now it is him that makes the wine, and I am impressed.
The blend is 40 % malbec, 40 % cabernet sauvignon and 20 % merlot, and the wine has been stored for 4 years on large barrels.
With my nose in the glass I find new aromas all the time. A comples nose, he says. Hubert nodds. Mature aroma, mushroom, cherry, leather and barrel.
Round, good body and soft wine in the beginning, but then the tannins appear and then which tells us this is a tough wine.
This wine can be enjoyed for years to come. Kr. 200,- for this wine is not bad? This is too cheap. It should have been kr. 300,- he says.
The aftertaste is so long so I can plan several game dinners this wine can be served with.

To the weeks’s lamb stew I would have taken Carrascal 2006.
The wine has been stored for 24 months on oak and further 6 months in bottle.
The scent of Carrascal is a solid package of dark berries, oak, some hint of leather and spices.
Good fruit, distinct cherry. Mouth feeling round and soft, but with good structure. Very good buy.

(Thanks to Tove Syversen for the translation!)