The intimate wine cellar at the fine-dining restaurant Aretksy’s Patroon in New York City was the perfect setting for the Château Malartic-Lagravière and Bodega DiamAndes Wine Tasting Dinner with Véronique Bonnie, co-owner of Vignobles Malartic. Over the course of the evening, I, along with a handful of invited guests, experienced seven different wines, two from Château Malartic-Lagravière in France, and five wines from Bodega DiamAndes in Argentina to pair with the delectable three-course meal. It was a memorable evening of fine wine and food, intermingled with interesting wine conservation.
Special wine pairing dinners are always remarkable, however when you can dine and taste the wines with the winemaker or owner of the vineyard, it is a much more memorable and insightful experience. Such was the Château Malartic-Lagravière and Bodega DiamAndes Wine Tasting Dinner Menu at Aretsky’s Patroon with Véronique Bonnie, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in New York City.
Véronique Bonnie
Over the course of the evening, Véronique not only provided interesting information about the production of the wines, but she also shared her passion and that of the Bonnie family about their wines. In 1996, Véronique’s parents Alfred-Alexandre and Michèle Bonnie purchased Château Malartic-Lagravière, in 2003 their son Jean-Jacques and his wife Séverine joined them, and in 2006 Véronique came onboard. In 2019, Véronique and her brother Jean-Jacques became the official co-owners of Vignobles Malartic.
Interesting to note about Château Malartic-Lagravière, is that it “has enjoyed a great reputation since the beginning of the last century and is one of only six crus classified as both red and white in the 1953 Graves classification. Since its creation in the 18th century, only four families have succeeded each other at Malartic. The taste for adventure still runs in the veins of the men and women in charge of its destiny.”
Interesting to note about Bodega DiamAndes is that it was born when Argentina approached vineyards in Bordeaux about a partnership to create wines in Clos de los Siete, south of Mendoza. When the family started the partnership in 2005 there were seven partners, today there are four, including the Bonnie family, and the wines are thriving.
Château Malartic-Lagravière and Bodega DiamAndes Wine Tasting Dinner Menu at Aretsky’s Patroon
The special Château Malartic-Lagravière and Bodega DiamAndes Wine Tasting Dinner began with a welcome glass of DiamAndes Grande Reserve Chardonnay, 2022, 14.5% alcohol, from Mendoza, Argentina, to provide a delicious “look” and taste of what was to come.
Choice of Appetizers
Bluefin Tuna Tartare
Bluefin Tuna Tartare
Avocado, spicy vinaigrette, crispy rice paper
Grilled Octopus
Panzanella salad, olive vinaigrette
Wine Pairing
Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc, Grand Cru Classé de Graves, 2019, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France
13.5% alcohol, a blend of 76.1% Sauvignon and 23.9% Semillon, manual harvest by successive passes. Sustainable farming, High Environmental Value Certification, ISO 14001 (EMS). Vinification: Inerted slow pressing, fermentation in oak barrels. Aging: on lees, bâtonnage in French oak barrels (55% new oak), Aging: 14 months. Oenologist Consultant: Eric Boissenot.
Wine Tasting notes: The terroir has well-drained gravel and clay gravels which contribute to the complexity and velvety texture of the wine. On the palate, the rich notes of the fruit deliver the balance of an exceptionally well-crafted wine.
DiamAndes Grande Reserve Chardonnay, 2022, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
14.5% alcohol, made with 100% Chardonnay grapes. Vertical trailing system, green harvest, leaf thinning by hand. Hand-picked, refrigerated in cooling room, double manual selection, hand-made double selection. Vinification: Slow and inerted pressing. Fermentation in French oak barrels, without malolactic. Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels, 50% new oak. The terroir sits at an altitude of 1,100 mt and consists mostly of sand, silt, and clay with substantial pebbles.
Wine Tasting notes: Apple and peach notes prevail throughout this stunning wine with balanced acidity and a slight creaminess on the palate.
Wine and Food Pairing notes: I selected the Tuna Tartare for my Appetizer, and both wines paired exceptionally well, complementing the delicious spiciness of the tuna, and mellowing it with the balanced flavors of the wines. While the first wine was citrusy, the second wine was fresh and fruity.
Choice of Entrées
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Blackened Mahi Mahi
Snow peas, shimeji mushrooms, napa cabbage, spicy mango sauce
Grilled 35 Day Dry-Aged Prime Sirloin
House steak sauce, roasted garlic
Wine Pairing
DiamAndes is in the heart of Clos de los Siete, at the foothills of the Andes in Mendoza, Argentina. The location is a single block of 130 hectares 1,100 meters above sea level. As such the terroir produces intense, complex, elegant, and well-balanced wines. The combination of the Bonnie family’s Bordeaux expertise along with the Argentine team make their wines notable. They focus exclusively on producing wines with their own grapes. They converted to organic farming in 2019 and have been a Certified Organic vineyard since 2022 – Certified Sustainable and Vegan wines.
They use a vertical trailing system; leaf thinning is done by hand. The process is entirely done by gravity flow system with 64 small thermos-regulated stainless-steel vats with a double cap system. They hand-harvest their grapes putting them in 12 kg crates in a refrigerated cooling room, with double manual selection.
DiamAndes de Uco Malbec 2020, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
14.5% alcohol, made with 100% Malbec grapes. The harvest took place in March, by hand-picking in 12 kg crates, refrigerated cooling room, and double manual selection. The terroir consists of sand, silt, and clay with substantial pebbles. The altitude is 1,100 meters above sea level. Vine Care: Vertical trailing system, leaf thinning by hand, manual harvest. 100% of the crop was from their own grapes. The vineyard was Certified organic in 2022. Maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Estate bottled wine. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, 30% new oak. Winemaker: Ramiro Balliro.
Wine Tasting notes: Aromatic nose with floral notes typical of DiamAndes Malbecs. Velvety and elegant with ripe tannins. Excellent balance between structure and acidity.
DiamAndes de Uco Cabernet Franc, 2021, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
14.5% alcohol. Made with 100% Cabernet Franc. Terroir: Geological formation named “Los Bueyes” is different from the rest of Clos de los Siete. Situated between rocks, soil composition with fine to coarse sands, silt, and clay content, much deeper than the rest of the vineyard, favoring a deeper rooting. Located at 1,200 meters above sea level on 0.85 hectare. Vinification: Maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Estate bottled. Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels, 30% new oak. Winemaker: Ramiro Balliro.
Wine Tasting notes: Veronique noted that the Cabernet Franc is improving each year. There were aromatic spicy and fruity notes on the nose, with dark fruit, smooth tannins, and an elegant mouthfeel with a long and well-balanced finish.
DiamAndes Grande Reserve Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019
14.5% alcohol. Made with a blend of 75% Malbec and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harvest done by hand-picking in 12 kg crates, refrigerated in cooling room, with double manual selection. Terroir: majority of sand, silt, and clay with substantial pebbles. Altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level. Vine training is based on sustainable farming and global environmental care. The process was done entirely by gravity flow system with 64 small thermos-regulated stainless-steel vats with a double cap system. Vertical trailing system, green harvest, and leaf thinning done by hand. Vinification: Maceration and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new oak. Winemaker: Ramiro Balliro.
Wine Tasting notes: This wine had it all with regards to rich layers of flavors; aromatic herbs and red fruit on the nose and on the palate with silky tannins.
For the Table
Yukon Gold Potato Puree
Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Wine and Food Pairing notes: I selected the Mahi-Mahi for my Entrée, which was well complemented by each of the three sumptuous DiamAndes wines presented.
Desserts
In lieu of dessert, there was an Artisan Cheese Plate – Chef’s Selection of cheese, especially selected to pair with the two wines.
Wine Pairing
Château Malartic-Lagravière Grand Cru Classe 2016, Pessac-Léognan (A.O.C.), France
DiamAndes de Uco Gran Reserva 2006, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
Château Malartic-Lagravière Grand Cru Classe 2016
Château Malartic-Lagravière Grand Cru Classe 2016, Pessac-Léognan (A.O.C.), France
13.5% alcohol. Made from a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The average age of the vineyard is 31 years old, Guyot double pruning method. Veronique noted that the extreme weather in 2016 conditions produced an exceptional vintage. Oenologist Consultant: Michel Rolland.
Wine Tasting notes: This was an exceptional wine. Aromatic, balanced, well-structured, and developed, while maintaining a lush freshness. The wine is softer and smoother on the palate and will continue to age well.
DiamAndes de Uco Gran Reserva 2006, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
15% alcohol. Made with a blend of 70% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Merlot. Aged for 24 months in 100% French oak, with 70% new oak.
Wine Tasting notes: Having the opportunity to taste the DiamAndes Gran Reserva, 2006, 18 years after its production was magical. This was a stunning mature, full-bodied wine with layered earthiness, black fruit, and mineral notes on the palate, with a beautiful soft caress of melding flavors on the palate. Véronique explained that the 2006 vintage was incredibly special to her as it was the first vintage they made, and only produced 3,300 bottles.
Wine and Food Pairing notes: The wine and cheese pairing was the prefect finale to a very memorable evening of discovering the wines of Château Malartic-Lagravière and Bodega DiamAndes. Now that I have made their acquaintances, I know that we will be very good friends.
Véronique Bonnie, Debra C. Argen
Until next time, Santé and Bon Appetit!
For more information on Château Malartic-Lagravière and DiamAndes, please visit the website: https://www.malartic-lagraviere.com/en/. Château Malartic-Lagravière and DiamAndes wines are imported by DiamAndes USA, Manhasset, New York.
Famille A&M Bonnie
Château Malartic-Lagravière
43 Avenue de Mont de Marsan
33850 Léognan
France
Telephone: +05-56-64-75-08
Website: https://www.malartic-lagraviere.com/en/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/malarticlagraviere/
Bodega DiamAndes
Clodomiro Silva S/N Vista Flores Tunuyan Mendoza
M5565 Vista Flores, Mendoza, Argentina
Telephone: +54-9-261-657—5472
Website: https://www.diamandes.com/en/wines/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/diamandes
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bodegadiamandes
About Aretsky’s Patroon
“The word Patroon is from the old New York (New Amsterdam) Dutch, meaning genteel landowner; essentially a gentleman. At Aretsky’s Patroon, the charm of Old New York meets 21st century modernity. In a historic building that has housed a destination restaurant since the 1950s, Patroon today welcomes a convivial and urbane clientele. The building itself is the former home of Christ Cella, a beloved eatery that opened in 1923 in the area that was once known as “Steak Row.” Within three levels of this iconic Manhattan townhouse, a business-casual crowd now enjoys everything from relaxed lunches to group celebrations to rooftop cocktails. Elegant and timeless, Aretsky’s Patroon features a main dining room and 6 private dining rooms on the 2nd floor, also a year-round rooftop bar.”
Aretsky’s Patroon Hours: Lunch from Monday through Friday from 11:45 am until 2:30 pm, Dinner from Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm until 10:00 pm, Rooftop Bar: Monday through Friday beginning at 4:00 pm (no reservations).
The restaurant is located three blocks from Grand Central Station. Accessible by the 4, 5, 6, 7, and S trains. There is a parking garage conveniently located across the street, and metered parking after 6:00 pm.
For more information or to make a reservation at Aretsky’s Patroon, please visit their website: www.patroon.com or call them at +1-212-883-7373.
Aretsky’s Patroon
160 East 46th Street (between Lexington and Third Avenue)
Midtown East
New York City, New York 10017
United States
Telephone: +1-212-883-7373
Website: www.Patroon.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aretskyspatroonnyc|
Instagram: www.instagram.com/aretskyspatroon
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