Hello to you and happy wine Wednesday. The energy in and around Vancouver this week is nothing short of fantastic. The Vancouver International Wine Festival‘s show-stopping celebration of all things wine is on now highlighting Italy as the global focus.
To kick things off for me, last Wednesday evening I had the opportunity to taste some great wine and listen to the story behind it…
The lovely ladies at AmoVino Distributors Ltd. (Jessica Luongo and Marisa Lauren) invited me, along with some of my nearest and dearest friends, to sample outstanding wine that was intelligently presented by Kristof Gillese of The Chef and The Grape Consulting.
Gillese told the story of Jesse Katz, a celebrated young winemaker in Alexander Valley, California, along with his Devil Proof Malbec 2013. I am always fascinated by people who know their vision at an early age. And the story behind the label ‘Devil Proof’? It comes from a saying in Cuba – “live well, drink well and ‘the devil can’t get ya’,” – you are Devil Proof – boom! How cool is that? The determined focus and passion of Jesse Katz is what great wine stories are made of.
Not only did we enjoy Devil Proof Vineyards Malbec 2013 but also wine from Aperture Cellars. The Aperture wines come from the father/son team of Jesse Katz, alongside his father and famous photographer, Andy Katz. Attention to detail clearly runs in the family…
Tasting Notes:
Devil Proof Malbec 2013 – 100% Malbec. Dark purple in glass. Stunning layers of balance and complexity. This is not your average Malbec – loved the chocolate, leather, dark fruits and floral, finessed finish. This is a luxury wine and indeed a pleasure to taste. Huge respect. Retails for $85 USD.
Aperture Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 – made up of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. Smooth, deep ruby, notes of cassis, delicious toasty oak, plum, blackberry and blueberry. I enjoyed the tannins and the acidity in this wine. Retails for $55 USD.
Aperture Cellars Red Wine 2013 – a Right Bank blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Inky ruby red with a violet rim – lush flavours of fig, plum, vanilla and tobacco. This is a juicy wine with a delightful nose where the Cabernet Franc notes rise up and linger on the finish. Retails for $40 USD.
Let’s all be ‘Devil Proof’!
XO
C
Girls Go Grape 
Fascinating! I’ve never tried an American Malbec before. How did it compare to French or Argentine Malbec?
It is a full and fabulous wine – more layered with more body than either the French and Argentinian Malbec I have had. Thank you for the comment!
Loved this and certainly plan to be Devil Proof! Xo
3 phenomenal wines from my favorite winemaker…Devil Proof Malbec is AMAZING!
I absolutely agree!
I will have to try this when I get back to the states, I love Malbecs.
Will Jesse be releasing more devil in the detail wine any time soon
I think so!