Wine Club Newsletter - February 2011
The Story of Good Karma Wine
In March of 2009, I was leading a dozen people on a wine and culture tour of Argentina. I arrived a few days early in Mendoza to acclimate myself and coordinate a few last minute details. I visited my friend of 33 years, Tom Conel, an expatriate now residing there four years.
We went to dinner at a local restaurant called Karma, the namesake restaurant of Karma Apo-Tsang. Tom told me a little about the interesting life Karma has already had, in just a few decades on the planet. In short, Karma’s family escaped with the Dali Lama from Tibet, and Karma later to become a “Special Protector” (bodyguard) for the Dali Lama. Karma speaks five languages, and also had an appearance with Brad Pitt in the movie “7 Years in Tibet”. He is a fascinating, lovable spirit who befriends people immediately.
The food at Karma’s Restaurant was excellent, a collection of his family recipes mixed with some contemporary touches. But my eyebrows were raised as Karma was pouring a wine with the label “Karma” on it. I told Tom and Karma that a wine that had the name “Karma” on the label would certainly have a lot of potential for sales in the United States.
Karma said it had to be exceptional and of good value if it was going to speak of “Karma”. Tom and I unquestionably agreed, and we all began planning our next moves.
First, Tom and Karma were to go and find as many samples from wineries as possible from the local producers who could meet our standards of quality, price and integrity. This was a difficult process, because a lot of wineries heard about what we were doing and wanted to participate. We were getting all kinds of wines dropped at our door, and had to say “no” to a lot of our wine producer friends.
By the time I returned to Argentina less than two months later, Tom and Karma had over one hundred fifty wine submissions for me/us to evaluate.
On the first day of our blind tastings, I ran across a white wine that totally thrilled me. I mean thrilled me! It stood head and shoulders above all the other samples, and in fact, above many of the white wines I have EVER tasted. It was a single vineyard 2008 Torrontes from the La Rioja Region of Argentina. (Coming in March Wine Clubs)
As soon as we could, which was two days later, we hustled out to the winery that made this wonderful Torrontes to see what they were all about. The winery is a third generation producer of wines, now run by two savvy young men who are dynamic and dynamite together. Using their very old family vineyard holdings and winery, and blending this with cutting edge, smart wine making techniques; WOW! We were bowled over by their other selections, and they became the single producer for the Karma label.
So that’s it! We held our selections down to five varietals we found enticing, and thus we procured our first line of Karma wines. The rest has been dealing with financing, making a web site, creating labels, cutting through bureaucracy, licensing, bottling, shipping, importing and now receiving the wines.
But through all this, now, the Karma line of wines is here for you to enjoy.
We hope you find the Karma we have brought to you is truly worthy of being on your table.
Gary Parker
The Ribbons on the Labels
There are three levels of Karma wine, as depicted on the ribbon on each front label, which are designed to be enjoyed at different settings and environments.
Alegria -This means joy, happiness, pleasure. (alay-GREE-ah)
Encantada - Means enchanting. (en-canTAH-dah)
Meditado - Means thought, contemplation, what a great/complex wine demands. (med -ee-TA dough)
Asparagus Soup with Black Truffle Flan and Spring Mushrooms
Here is a great recipe to go with the 2011 Karma Sauvignon Blanc. Yield 2 qts.
Soup Ingredients:
- 1 medium leek (white part only) sliced
- 1 small brown onion sliced
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and sliced
- 1 tbs. olive oil
- 3 bunches fresh asparagus chopped in food processor (reserve tips for garnish)
- 1 1/2 qt. clear chicken stock
- 2 tbs. unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 oz. wild mushrooms (for garnish)
- 1 small bunch Chervil (for garnish)
Method:
- In a large saucepot heat the olive oil. Add the first three ingredients and cook; do not brown. When the onions are soft add the chicken stock and turn up the flame bring it to a boil add the asparagus and cook until the asparagus has turned bright green.
- Remove from the stove and puree in a blender pass through fine mesh strainer twice.
- Add the butter, salt and pepper to taste.
- Sauté mushroom in butter and set aside for garnish.
- Flan Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 whole egg
- 1/4 tsp chopped black truffle
- 1/2 tsp black truffle oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Combine all the ingredients in mixing bowl and whisk together, taste the custard and adjust seasoning.
- Pour two ounces custard base in ramekin.
- Place in hotel pan fill with hot water half way up the side ramekin.
- Bake in 325 degree oven for 40 minutes, rotating every ten minutes, or until the custard is set.
- Garnish with sautéed fresh spring mushrooms and chervil
2010 Karma Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Bottles, Allegria
Growing Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Fermentation: 100% Stainless Steel
Suggested Retail: $14.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $10.50
Broad Strokes:
The Karma Sauvignon Blanc was produced from 38 year-old vines, comes from a single estate vineyard, and was hand harvested. This Sauvignon Blanc shows excellent breeding, dignity and class, and is unlike any other you’ve tried. I am certain at this price, finding a comparable value would be challenging.
Appearance:
Good looking, well appointed package. The label reads clear and direct. There is lots of information on the back label, which is great. I guess because I wrote it! I like the clear, tall bottle very much. The wine itself looks crystal like, shimmering and shining in the light, with golden straw hue. It is very viscous and clings well to the glass.
Nose:
This is a young wine, just off the boat as it were. Give it some time to open, 15 minutes minimum. The soft nose will evolve very nicely into enticing aromatics of mandarin orange and then ripe peach, apricot and a hint of pear. Notice notes of vanilla, lime, chalk, cumin, curry, black walnut, tarragon and sage. The very fine fragrances gain complexity with air.
Texture:
Brisk acidity backed by a rich, creamy mouth-feel. Let me explain further; Much of what I find captivating with this wine is the really cool texture. This youthful acidity is somewhat masked by the richness of the fruit, which is quite abundant. In the short term, the acid will surface and be most apparent, and then in a couple months the fruit will overtake it as the dominant texture, kind of a ping-pong deal. Either way, the finish is very long. I love it!
Flavor:
From the nose, we get the palate, consisting mostly of Mandarin orange, apricot and a hint of pear. I also detected vanilla, pine nuts, black walnut, and earth tones (chalk and mineral). Stay tuned for the spices (cumin and curry) and the herb nuances (tarragon and sage). I also enjoyed a dairy note (presumptive because of creamy texture?) with kiwi and lime. Just a wow!
Serving Options:
Buy a case or two at this price. Enjoy through the upcoming summer as an aperitif, or pair with fine cheeses, white-fleshed fish dishes with butter and lemon, or anything that calls for a fine and interesting bottle of white wine. It will solicit conversation from all who try it.
2006 Karma Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserva, Encantada
Growing Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: Wood Barrels
Suggested Retail: $25.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $18.75
Broad Strokes:
The Karma Cabernet Sauvignon is now five years removed from its harvest date, and though it will have a few more years of aging ahead of it, it is drinking perfectly right now. Designated a “Reserva” selection, the grapes were hand harvested from vines averaging over 25 years in age. The maturity and balance offered in this WineSellar Club selection is superior, and I am certain you will be quite happy with your Karma. What, a five year-old Cabernet for $16.50? Here it is!
Appearance:
I like the long neck, tall black bottle look very much, as well as the overall packaging. The label reads clear and direct. There is lots of information on the back label, which is great. I guess because I wrote it! The wine has a garnet coloring, which is deep in the center and grows lighter toward the rim of the glass. Appearing younger than its five years, and it clings nicely to the glass.
Nose:
If you ever wanted to know what a classic Cabernet Sauvignon smells like, this is it! Jumping out 4 inches above your glass, a definitive whiff of deep black cherry fruit is married to a touch of bell pepper. That’s it! Good touches of oak, smoke, mocha, earth soil and anise lend to the evolved, almost textural aromatics. Lovely!
Texture:
Partly due to the five years of age, the texture is fabulous. It is silken, very elegant, very smooth and pleasing on the palate. The tannins have resolved into the fruit, yet we still enjoy a beautiful kiss of acid on the clean, crisp finish. Medium in body and weight, it does not carry a notion of being either a masculine brute or delicately feminine, just the notion that this is one excellent Cabernet Sauvignon.
Flavor:
Deep black cherry fruit is first noticeable, followed by some fine wood-notes. Seems simple and good, until you wait a few more minutes. Then it begins to disrobe seductively, unveiling (through the its silky character) deeper, more evolved red and black fruits, with mocha, roasted almonds, chocolate, caramel, and a hint of black olives.
Serving Options:
I drank my Cabernet through a dinner consisting of grilled chicken thighs that had been marinated in soy, garlic, ginger and black pepper, and it was so right! An even better experience is when I snuck myself a little.
2007 Karma Malbec, Gran Reserva, Meditado
Growing Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal Blend: 100% Malbec
Fermentation: 16 Months French Oak
Suggested Retail: $40.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $29.99
Broad Strokes:
This wine is a total knockout! I was pouring it at a Los Angeles function called Pro-Mendoza, where Argentine products are put to the general public. A wine writer came by and tried this wine, his first stop. He liked it plenty, but had some reservations over seeing an Argentina Malbec for $40. Toward the end of the event, he came back to our table and said it was far and away the best Malbec at the show, and twice as good as another Malbec that cost $80 a bottle!
Appearance:
Beautiful package speaks to Argentina senses. Gold embossed printing with black backgrounds is as an enriching look. You’ll notice the heavy bottle and the very deep punt. The wine is essentially black, opaque at the center, with very dark crimson edges out towards to very end of the rim. The legs are nearly black, and paste to the glass.
Nose:
Assertive black berry fruit envelopes your nostrils at first take. Then fresh wood notes, oak, eucalyptus and pine, with scents of vanilla, chocolate, and roasted chestnuts. I also recognized a touch of strapped, old leather, black pepper, rosemary, and a distant, inviting whiff of black tar.
Texture:
The song and thought of “The Monster Mash” came to mind, though this wine is not nearly as monstrous as many. It is a very big, rich, full-bodied wine that commands your attention. It is smooth and tough at the same time, and the resolute acid and fruit interplay makes your mouth water, leaving a juicy impression with it’s lasting finish. The texture gets a WOW!
Flavor:
Big, bold, black fruit flavors dominate early on, especially those of black berry and dark plum. The mahogany, vanilla and chocolate essence from the wood treatment are tantalizing, to be sure. But wait, how about the cappuccino, roasted nuts, black pepper, root beer, cream sherry, mint. Yeah, how about that?!! Really Cool!
Serving Options:
It will be fascinating to see what happens with this wine over a period of 5-15 years. I will salt some away, because that’s what I do. You should too. You and your friends will find this wine a total delight around any meal calling for a good sized, hearty red wine, especially when served with marinated, grilled meats.