2015 Punta de Flechas Corte by Edmond de Rothschild
Tasting Notes
91 Points ~ James Suckling
This wine has a deep purple color, with intense fruit concentration. An elegant wine with mature tannins and excellent aging potential.
The name Punta de Flechas or “spike of the arrows” refers to the 5 arrows, emblem of the Rothschild family (symbolizing the 5 brothers from this dynasty of entrepreneurs).
Wine consultant, Michel Rolland is not only a pioneering winemaker with an unrivaled pedigree within the famed region of Bordeaux but a fearless leader and champion of Argentina viticulture. After traveling to Argentina in 1988, he recognized that all the conditions were right to grow exceptional wine and partnered with other Bordeaux families to develop 7 vineyards in the Uco Valley of Mendoza. Michel has become an Andes viticultural guru singlehandedly transforming the wine-producing pedigree of South America’s leading wine producer!
“There are good places to grow wine everywhere, but Argentina is especially blessed. Its position in relation to the Andes Mountains means you can play with altitude and benefit from milder weather in a very sunny country. The soil types made up of gravel and stones that have washed down from the mountains are also particularly conducive.” ~Michel Rolland
The 2015 Punta de Flechas Corte showcases the technical winemaking abilities of established Chateau like Clarke and Lafleur with a mind-blowing value that redefines quality wine at an affordable price. Taste the excellence of this high-quality Bordeaux Argentino before it’s gone!
Pairing Suggestions: Beef and venison
Reviews
“A dense yet linear red with blackberry and currant aromas and flavors. Medium to full body, layered and ripe with new wood and a flavorful finish. On the riper side but remains fresh. Drink or hold.” ~91 James Suckling
The company was established in 1973 by Baron Edmond de Rothschild and produces wines from a collection of six estates located in premier wine regions in France, South Africa, Argentina, Spain, and New Zealand.
Flechas de Los Andes is the brainchild of Benjamin de Rothschild (of Ch Clarke) and Laurent Dassault (Ch Lafleur) who have sought out exemplary terroir quintessential for Malbec cultivation. Together the duo has transformed selected plots at the base of the Andes Mountains into pristine vineyards perfectly suited for viticultural development.
In 1999, Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild purchased 250ha (618 acres) of land in Argentina and began planting vineyards gradually, releasing the first vintage of Flechas de los Andes in 2004. The Flechas de los Andes estate produces red wines from the varieties Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah. The estate’s top wines include Gran Malbec, a varietal Malbec, and Gran Corte, a blend of Malbec, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Punta de Flechas Corte Argentinian Blend
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/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 & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2015 Punta de Flechas Corte Argentinian Blend - $50 = 27.76%
My mistake, thanks to @stolicat for catching it. The case savings amount is $40, not $50. Therefore the percentage of additional savings would be 22.21%
As @kaolis says, FWIW…
By Stephen Tanzer
Argentina’s Wines Enter the World Stage (Jul 2018), 7/1/2018, (See more on Vinous…) 88 points
(Flechas De Los Andes Punta De Flechas Corte Red) (14.5% alcohol): Bright ruby-red. Reticent aromas of black fruits, crushed pepper, licorice and herbs, along with hints of violet and menthol. Offers a fine-grained texture if not quite the flavor development that the healthy alcohol level suggests. Finishes with a broad dusting of tannins that turn a bit drier with air. This slightly herbal blend lacks a spark in the middle palate. (Drink between 2018-2021)
@jhkey Also fwiw Wine Access says (noted they are also selling the wine so perhaps some bias)…
Rich purple core with a magenta rim. Black fruited nose with a woodsy backdrop, and a hint of soy sauce. Well-integrated palate of black currant and black plum fruit laced with cocoa nibs, pipe tobacco, cigar, and cedar spice. After five years, the tannins are now satin-like, and the palate is nuanced like a Right-Bank Bordeaux, with a smoky bone-dry finish. It’s got one foot in the Andes and one foot in the Médoc, and it’s all integrated for immediate drinking pleasure. Drink now - 2023.
Also from Wine Access:
Consisting of 50% Malbec and the rest a mix of Bordeaux varieties, the 2015 Corte was grown on a blend of granite, sand, and gravel at more than 3,000 feet of altitude, where the vines reap ripeness and vibrant acidity from hot, dry days and frigid nights. After double-sorting before and after destemming, the wine aged for a year (in 1/3 new oak, 1/3 used oak, and 1/3 tank) before being bottled…
Last night we were lucky to be able to taste some wine from Argentina straight out of a stately tri-color bottle.
Look at that bundle of arrows, they even put it on the cork!
We opened the bottle last night, poured a couple of glasses, and swirled for a bit. Deep and dark ruby/garnet, great clarity (not hazy/cloudy). Tilting back and forth shows some decent viscosity and getting my nose in there gives me a nice hit of alcohol with a strong dark currant aroma . . . maybe some black pepper.
I had a really hard time discerning individual flavors with this one. My co-taster pitched in with blackberries, but not sweet. Very alcohol forward. Flavor doesn’t linger past a couple of lipsmacks and it tastes/feels pretty clean. Tongue doesn’t go dry. Decanting enough for another glass didn’t change the profile.
What kind of grapes are in here, maybe that’ll help? The label doesn’t indicate what’s in here so no hints to prime my tastebud to brain connection.
This wine really reminds me of drinking with other exchange students back in Belgium a long time ago. Of course we’d have plenty of Stella and Jupiler but the kids from Spain and Italy would always bring something red to drink, almost like a strong rioja.
Thanks for the bottle and for the chance to share my notes!
2015 Punta de Flechas Corte by Edmond de Rothschild
Tasting Notes
91 Points ~ James Suckling
Reviews
Specs
Included in the Box
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $300/case MSRP
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, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, May 3
Punta de Flechas Corte Argentinian Blend
4 bottles for $59.99 $15/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $139.99 $11.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2015 Punta de Flechas Corte Argentinian Blend
anyone up for a case split in MA?
@soomass I could depending on where in Mass you’re located. (Rhode Islander here.)
@soomass I am in the Boston area and would be interested if you are nearby.
So it’s only 75% grape?
I hope the remainder is something really exotic, like koala tears. Or at least a neutral grain spirit. Actually, yes, I’d love some ~30% ABV wine.
@ShotgunX Wondering if the other 25% is water?
Alluding to a comment from Clark.
(Not a great movie, but a funny comedian nonetheless.)
@rjquillin @ShotgunX
Lol
@ShotgunX can’t get anything by this crew!
Grape Kool-Aid
@zekeswine1 Care to expand on this? You’ve had it?
@pupator @zekeswine1 I thought this might have been a guess as to what made up the last 25%of the blend.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2015 Punta de Flechas Corte Argentinian Blend - $50 = 27.76%
My mistake, thanks to @stolicat for catching it. The case savings amount is $40, not $50. Therefore the percentage of additional savings would be 22.21%
Splits NOVA/MD/DC?
@bunnymasseuse @wardad and any others interested…
/giphy odious-muffled-lock
@bunnymasseuse We’d take 3 down here in Manassas, if you have 'em to spare.
@wardad however many you want are yours
/giphy highfalutin-minor-rogue
¿Tenemos un ratón?
@JoeCabstain
IIRC, not on 24 hour offers.
As @kaolis says, FWIW…
By Stephen Tanzer
Argentina’s Wines Enter the World Stage (Jul 2018), 7/1/2018, (See more on Vinous…) 88 points
(Flechas De Los Andes Punta De Flechas Corte Red) (14.5% alcohol): Bright ruby-red. Reticent aromas of black fruits, crushed pepper, licorice and herbs, along with hints of violet and menthol. Offers a fine-grained texture if not quite the flavor development that the healthy alcohol level suggests. Finishes with a broad dusting of tannins that turn a bit drier with air. This slightly herbal blend lacks a spark in the middle palate. (Drink between 2018-2021)
@jhkey Also fwiw Wine Access says (noted they are also selling the wine so perhaps some bias)…
Rich purple core with a magenta rim. Black fruited nose with a woodsy backdrop, and a hint of soy sauce. Well-integrated palate of black currant and black plum fruit laced with cocoa nibs, pipe tobacco, cigar, and cedar spice. After five years, the tannins are now satin-like, and the palate is nuanced like a Right-Bank Bordeaux, with a smoky bone-dry finish. It’s got one foot in the Andes and one foot in the Médoc, and it’s all integrated for immediate drinking pleasure. Drink now - 2023.
Also from Wine Access:
Consisting of 50% Malbec and the rest a mix of Bordeaux varieties, the 2015 Corte was grown on a blend of granite, sand, and gravel at more than 3,000 feet of altitude, where the vines reap ripeness and vibrant acidity from hot, dry days and frigid nights. After double-sorting before and after destemming, the wine aged for a year (in 1/3 new oak, 1/3 used oak, and 1/3 tank) before being bottled…
@jhkey @kaolis WOW! I’m sold…
Last night we were lucky to be able to taste some wine from Argentina straight out of a stately tri-color bottle.
Look at that bundle of arrows, they even put it on the cork!
We opened the bottle last night, poured a couple of glasses, and swirled for a bit. Deep and dark ruby/garnet, great clarity (not hazy/cloudy). Tilting back and forth shows some decent viscosity and getting my nose in there gives me a nice hit of alcohol with a strong dark currant aroma . . . maybe some black pepper.
I had a really hard time discerning individual flavors with this one. My co-taster pitched in with blackberries, but not sweet. Very alcohol forward. Flavor doesn’t linger past a couple of lipsmacks and it tastes/feels pretty clean. Tongue doesn’t go dry. Decanting enough for another glass didn’t change the profile.
What kind of grapes are in here, maybe that’ll help? The label doesn’t indicate what’s in here so no hints to prime my tastebud to brain connection.
This wine really reminds me of drinking with other exchange students back in Belgium a long time ago. Of course we’d have plenty of Stella and Jupiler but the kids from Spain and Italy would always bring something red to drink, almost like a strong rioja.
Thanks for the bottle and for the chance to share my notes!
@ludwigmace Thank you for the rattage. The cork is totally cool.