Last night after work I drove over into North Arlington just outside Clarendon to Tallula restaurant to meet Rodrigo Arizu to try his family's excellent old-vines Argentinean Lujan de Cuyo reds. I had never been to Tallula and so it would be both pretty much a new experience for me with both the wines and the food. We have sold two of the fancier single-vineyard wines from Rodrigo in the past when we conducted our big monthly theme tasting of Malbecs. They were marvelous and the most expensive wines we offered. We sold them out and it's time to bring them back here to the store at Cleveland Park Wines and Spirits. We will have them here tomorrow and Rodrigo will be here himself to taste an assortment of his wines this Friday May 23rd from noon to 3 PM. We will taste both the PASO DE PIEDRA Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 and the 2005 Malbec BOTH ON SALE for $13.99.
At dinner I arrived late and my local rep Dan Terrasa of William Harrison Imports was nice enough to reserve a seat for me there next to Rodrigo. Across from Rodrigo and facing him was owner of William Harrison Imports Harrison Jones. It was quite the animated evening. I loved the special bottlings from Rodrigo. We tasted the 2003 VINA ALICIA Malbec, the 2004 VINA ALICIA Morena Cabernet, the VINA ALICIA 2005 " Brote Negro " ( ON SALE for $72.99 ; reg : $89.99 ), the VINA ALICIA 2004 Nebbiolo ( also ON SALE for $72.99 ) and VINA ALICIA Cuarzo ( 95% Petit Verdot, 5% Grenache Noir and Carignane , also ON SALE for $72.99 ).
Harrison Jones was asking Rodrigo all about his family, especially his mother and father. Harrison said emphatically that Rodrigo's wines were some of his all-time favorites and that when he entertained special guests he served them. I can see why. The two that impressed me the most were the 2005 " Brote Negro " and the 2004 Cuarzo. Both are made from ancient old vines. I loved the heartier, beefier, earthier and lovingly-in-your-face-toasty-creamed flair of the Cuarzo Petit Verdot. I really wanted to have that one. I also liked the 2004 Nebbiolo for all its lushness and velvet thickness and charm. It turns out that Rodrido, according to him is making the only Nebbiolo there in Argentina. His family is part Spanish and part Italian in background.
The wine that impressed me the most was the one made in the smallest amount : only two barrels : only twelve six-packs available through William Harrison! I bought two. It's 100% Malbec that they started to make three vintages ago. They think it's a Malbec mutation, the skin is darker and the flavors are different. They have isolated these vines that are mixed in with the other old vines. They make these miniscule amounts and WOW the wine is close to perfection and all you have to pay for near perfection is $73! That's quite a deal I'd say. You can come and buy some of these wines now and get them signed, personalized to family, friends, yourself and either drink now are be wise and wait another 3-8 years to get all that you can from them.
I loved the Meyer tenderloin, medium-rare that I ordered at Tallula. Executive chef Nathan Anda cooked it to perfection so that it just melted in my mouth and I savored every taste and bite and was transported into such a wonderful state of bliss and further enlightenment, too?!? Perhaps, I sure did feel great and relaxed and was broadly smiling. Thanks Nathan.
I wrote my Morning Poems about this dining experience. Here is one for you to enjoy now :
Tal Dine All
Lula Dinner Night
Last Meet To
Meat Rod/Drigo
Owns Who Alicia
Vina Argentina
Drink Becs Those
Mal Mal Albecs
Syrah Nebs That
Biolos Too With
Meyer Beef Nathan's So
Tender Juicy Melt
Mouth In Loins
Purr Purr Purr
Sat I To Next
Rodrigo Spoke We
On Off I Pictures
Snapped I Joy Over
Swept Me Dat Loin
Meyer Tender
Long Brote Side
Malbec Mute Negro
Ta Ta Full Tation !
Barrels Two Fun
Too Two Few
Milagro Este !
Cheers Rodrigo, Harrison, Dan, Peter, and Nathan - TONY
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