ABOUT: Bodega Renacer is a project which began in 2001 by Patricio Reich in Perdriel, a sub region of Lujan de Cuyo, a well-established winegrowing region of Mendoza, Argentina. Starting with 20 hectares, his now 30 hectares of vines sit at the foot of the Andes mountains on the south margin of the Mendoza river. Young vines and very old vines (over 70 years old) share plots of silty earth, happily planted with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Renacer blazed trails through the region with high-density planting and crazy low yields (less than 8 tons per hectare!). They’re also passionate about the environment and achieved organic certification in 2021. The Cabernet Franc is our first foray into Renacer and we’re blown away; a wine of this caliber from (insert any new world wine region) would fetch several times as much. A delicious bargain! TASTE: The 15 year old vines for this Cabernet Franc come from two different vineyard sites, Perdriel and Vistaflores, and is a wonderful expression of Franc. We think inserting Cab Franc where Malbec usually goes is a great idea, and this wine is the proof. Medium+ intense, youthful flavors and aromas of cranberries, raspberries, and blackberries cover the berry spectrum. Citrus peel, campfire and cherry cola round things out, with the unmistakable flavor of American oak often used in Argentinian Malbec. Well-extracted with an uptick of acidity which will help its continuation of develop for another 10-15 years. Pretty serious wine at a relaxed price. PAIR: Spicy tomato rice with eggs, zucchini fritters, cabbage rolls with mushrooms, Muffuletta olive salad, bake eggplant parmesan, red lentil soup, and grilled vegetables and roasted black bean rice bowl.
