Dharma is all about the natural essence of wine made with the most natural processes possible. Grapes are organically farmed. The winery is organically certified, and all grapes are delivered to the tanks via gravity and fermented with native yeast. The wine is vegan in that no animal products were used in any part of the winemaking process. GMO free. Single Vineyard. The wine was meticulously cellared for 12 months in second and third-use French oak barrels, then blended and bottled. Aged at least one year before release.
Specs
Varietal Blend: 60% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Franc
Appellation: San Carlos, Mendoza, Argentina
Elaboration: Destemmed and delivered to concrete fermentation tanks via gravity. Pumped over 2 times a day, délestage in the middle of fermentation.
Conservation: Hand harvested. Made with gravity flow in the winery. Unfined and unfiltered. Aged in 2nd and 3rd use French oak for 12 months.
Alcohol: 13.5%
TA: 5.17 g/l
Residual Sugar: 2.25 g/l
pH: 3.8
Winemaker: C. Ermisch
Production: 1000 cases
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2022 Dharma Reserve Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina Case:
12x 2022 Dharma Reserve Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina
Founded: Originally built in 1925 and restored in 2001
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Christopher Ermisch was the original founder of Bodega Calle, along with Elvira Calle, a well-known local businesswoman and philanthropist, and the original owner of Mendoza’s Los Andes newspaper. The original brand was named ‘Alberti 154′ as it is the address of the winery in the district of Lújan de Cuyo. Dating to 1925, it resides on what’s now a residential street on the corner of 3 other founding wineries of this classic zone named Drummond. A small-lot, gravity-flow, red wine production studio, Bodega Calle places great emphasis on gently crafting wines with regional distinction and grand personality.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2022 Dharma Argentinian Red Blend - $30 = 17.64%
Lab Rat Report for 2022 vintage Dharma red wine blend
This wine comes in a dark bottle with a foil-sealed cork, and has a surreal painting on the front that pairs quite well up against the trumpet creeper flowers in my yard.
The label states that it is a blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cab Franc.
I was unable to find any prior listings on casemates, so I think this may be the first time this has been offered for sale here.
This proved to be quite an interesting wine. I’m quite familiar with Cab Franc, but less so with Malbec. In the glass the wine has well-defined legs and a relatively dark hue even where thinned out
On the nose I can definitely smell the Cab Franc with a hint of black pepper and the heavy tannins, but there is also a fruitier quality that I assume must be from the Malbec.
I was a bit surprised when I first took a sip, as there is a very young fruit-forward taste initially (think strawberry/rhubarb), but fortunately this gives way to the tannic pepperiness on the finish.
It does truly seem to have a mix of qualities to the point that I cannot guess how this will age; it’s drinkable and enjoyable now, and I’m sure the Cab Franc part will continue to improve with time as it still has some young tannins, but I’m not sure that any further aging is really needed.
It can handle a steak, but also seems fitting for pizza (which is what I ate with it)
Sorry for the late reply. I’m digging into a second day glass as I’m typing and I like what I’m tasting.
I’ll try to be brief. I think this is a steal for the case price for sure. And if you don’t need a case, the other options ain’t too shabby either.
The nose on this wine (or maybe my sinuses are more irritated than I realize) is very subtle. I got a bit of fruit and a lot of mustiness upon my first pour. Not in a bad way. Just the predominant thing that hit my nose. The flavor was pretty stunning right out of the bottle. I assume this is meant to be enjoyed relatively young. It’s got a nice prominent black raspberry with some jamminess upon first sip. It definitely has the structure to not just be a juice bomb. It’s got a medium body and maybe a little bit of residual sugar? In the background, there is enough earthiness and bite to balance it out. I think it will actually improve with a few years in the bottle. So for under $12 a bottle, you can’t go wrong with the case.
Day 2
I had it with a “works” pizza yesterday and with leftovers today. It still worked then and it’s working today. It smooths out a good bit the second day, so the fruit is a little more prominent. I enjoy it. It’s even slightly cool from storing in the fridge overnight. I’m not saying drink it cold, but a little cooler than room temp isn’t bad.
I think this is worth a try if you like a fruit-forward, medium bodied red that will probably be pretty mind blowing in a couple years. Stock up.
The picture shows a bottle that appears to have a wax dipped cork but the Lab Rat Report shows a foiled cork. I assume it’s the latter but can anyone clarify?
@user66623009 The bottle I received as a rat definitely had a foil seal and no wax; hopefully someone from casemates or the winery can comment on the discrepancy with the photo in the listing
@nklb@user66623009 The seal, I’m guessing (don’t y’all hate people who have no idea what they are talking about but opine anyway?) is just a matter of some stock photo with the wax dip, that’s what is on distributor website. Most but not all other photos show the foil, just an observation from spying around
2022 Dharma Reserve Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina
90 Points, James Suckling
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$263.88/Case for 12x 2022 Dharma Reserve Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina at Bodega Calle
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Aug 18 - Wednesday, Aug 20
2022 Dharma Argentinian Red Blend
6 bottles for $84.99 $14.17/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $139.99 $11.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2022 Dharma Argentinian Red Blend - $30 = 17.64%
Lab Rat Report for 2022 vintage Dharma red wine blend
This wine comes in a dark bottle with a foil-sealed cork, and has a surreal painting on the front that pairs quite well up against the trumpet creeper flowers in my yard.
The label states that it is a blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cab Franc.
I was unable to find any prior listings on casemates, so I think this may be the first time this has been offered for sale here.
This proved to be quite an interesting wine. I’m quite familiar with Cab Franc, but less so with Malbec. In the glass the wine has well-defined legs and a relatively dark hue even where thinned out
On the nose I can definitely smell the Cab Franc with a hint of black pepper and the heavy tannins, but there is also a fruitier quality that I assume must be from the Malbec.
I was a bit surprised when I first took a sip, as there is a very young fruit-forward taste initially (think strawberry/rhubarb), but fortunately this gives way to the tannic pepperiness on the finish.
It does truly seem to have a mix of qualities to the point that I cannot guess how this will age; it’s drinkable and enjoyable now, and I’m sure the Cab Franc part will continue to improve with time as it still has some young tannins, but I’m not sure that any further aging is really needed.
It can handle a steak, but also seems fitting for pizza (which is what I ate with it)
At this price this seems like a very good value.
Sorry for the late reply. I’m digging into a second day glass as I’m typing and I like what I’m tasting.
I’ll try to be brief. I think this is a steal for the case price for sure. And if you don’t need a case, the other options ain’t too shabby either.
The nose on this wine (or maybe my sinuses are more irritated than I realize) is very subtle. I got a bit of fruit and a lot of mustiness upon my first pour. Not in a bad way. Just the predominant thing that hit my nose. The flavor was pretty stunning right out of the bottle. I assume this is meant to be enjoyed relatively young. It’s got a nice prominent black raspberry with some jamminess upon first sip. It definitely has the structure to not just be a juice bomb. It’s got a medium body and maybe a little bit of residual sugar? In the background, there is enough earthiness and bite to balance it out. I think it will actually improve with a few years in the bottle. So for under $12 a bottle, you can’t go wrong with the case.
Day 2
I had it with a “works” pizza yesterday and with leftovers today. It still worked then and it’s working today. It smooths out a good bit the second day, so the fruit is a little more prominent. I enjoy it. It’s even slightly cool from storing in the fridge overnight. I’m not saying drink it cold, but a little cooler than room temp isn’t bad.
I think this is worth a try if you like a fruit-forward, medium bodied red that will probably be pretty mind blowing in a couple years. Stock up.
The picture shows a bottle that appears to have a wax dipped cork but the Lab Rat Report shows a foiled cork. I assume it’s the latter but can anyone clarify?
@user66623009 The bottle I received as a rat definitely had a foil seal and no wax; hopefully someone from casemates or the winery can comment on the discrepancy with the photo in the listing
@nklb @user66623009 The seal, I’m guessing (don’t y’all hate people who have no idea what they are talking about but opine anyway?) is just a matter of some stock photo with the wax dip, that’s what is on distributor website. Most but not all other photos show the foil, just an observation from spying around
/giphy barbed-petty-building
