A Taste of Malta: The Red Varietals (4)



Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes.

 One of the most frustrating issues when, as a wine reviewer, I am researching a wine is the lack of information that is sometimes left out by various winemakers with reference to the production processes applied to make certain wines. Alas, winemakers in Malta, for some reason or other do not supply this information as if the production of wine is a well guarded secret that no one but themselves know about or have access too.


Merlot Grapes.



Syrah Grape on the vine.

 When one buys wine, especially if it is labeled "premium", and/or when the price tag per bottle is a bit on the high side, wine lovers make it a point to know what they are purchasing: the quality, the winemaker and the production process. Every wine is made basically, by crushing grapes, fermenting the juice, maturing and bottling. Adding a little information with reference to the vinification process: fermentation, maceration and/or malolactic fermentation, and duration; whether or not fermentation is carried out in barriques or stainless steel tanks and duration; oak aging and duration; aging in the bottle prior to release and duration; etc., etc., are all relevant information that serious winemakers supply and provide, through pdf's on their websites or through a direct request. Alas, once again, this information is not forthcoming from winemakers in Malta, which is a pity, as lack of information and disclosures mean lack of scoring points in ratings, and maybe moves the consumer, especially if he is buying wine to age in his cellar, to pick a wine which he knows much more about, rather than just the grape variety. I do certainly hope, that winemakers will take this suggestion on board.

This feature is designed to highlight the premium red wines of the two participating winemakers in this topic, namely: MERIDIANA WINE ESTATE and EMM. DELICATA & SONS LTD. The following six excellent wines have been taste-tested, reviewed and rated during a blind tasting session.

Meridiana Nexus Merlot 2007

1. MERIDIANA NEXUS MERLOT OF MALTA-2007 DOK.

This wine is produced from 100% Merlot grapes, grown and harvested in its own estate on the Meridiana Wine Estate. The wine is barrel aged and bottled unfiltered to maintain and preserve the wines full-body and fruit flavours.
This wine has an intense dark red colour, and has a rich intense nose of black cherry, plums, dark chocolate and a hint of liquorice. On the mouth it has a round feel character and a dense texture with  firm tannins, and with elements of chocolate and ripe cherry fruit. Finish is long with a good aftertaste of dark chocolate.
This wine can be consumed now, but would develop further through more bottle aging. Must be opened at least from 1 to 3 hours before consuming as it requires breathing.
Alcohol: 12.5%
Price range: Eur16.
RATING: RS90

Meridiana Celsius Cabernet Sauvignon Riserva 2006.

2. MERIDIANA  CELSIUS RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006.

Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested from its own estate on the Meridiana Wine Estate. Barrel aged, unfiltered, wine which is dark red in colour with chocolate and blackcurrant flavours. Full-bodied and filled with blackberries, blackcurrant and plum flavours with a hint of black pepper and mint; well integrated in astringent chunky ripe tannins. Good long finish.
Longer aging in the bottle will further soften its tannins while its more subtle flavours will develop further and intensify.
Alcohol: 12.5%
Price Range: Eur21
RATING: RS92.

Meridiana Bel Syrah 2008.

3.MERIDIANA BEL SYRAH OF MALTA 2008 DOK.

Unfiltered, barrel-aged, 100% Syrah, extremely dark purple with ruby red highlights in colour, full-bodied fruity wine, with aromas and flavours of peppers berries currants, prune and chocolate. Very distinctive tannins and high acidity. It's warm alcohol leaves a strong aftertaste and lasting finish. A very good example of Syrah varietal.
Alcohol: 13%
Price Range: Eur15
RATING: RS91

Delicata Gran Cavalier Merlot 2009.

4. GRAN CAVALIER-MERLOT OF MALTA 2009 DOK SUPERIOR.
     Vintage Tardive- Late Harvest-Barrel Matured.
     Winemaker: Emm. Delicata & Sons, Malta.

Produced from 100% merlot grapes, grown and harvested in selected family vineyards. Full-bodied, elegant robust red wine, matured and softened in French oak barriques, and bottled unfiltered.
Dark red in colour, with ruby colour on the edges, flavours and aromas of black cherry, blackberries, plum and chocolate with a hint of herbs. Mellow tannins which make it easy to drink especially with lighter food. Medium to full bodied with high alcohol content, round texture and low acidity with soft tannins, this wine is an excellent companion to light meats, salmon, tuna and even shellfish.
Alcohol content: 13.5%
Price Range: Eur13.50
RATING: RS91.

Gran Cavalier and Hauteville 2009 Red Varietals.

5. GRAN CAVALIER SYRAH OF MALTA 2009-DOK SUPERIOR.
    Vintage tardive-Late harvest- barrel aged.

Produced from 100% Syrah grapes, handpicked from individual pocket sized vineyards.This hot climate Syrah is matured and softened in French oak barriques for a number of months under controlled conditions. Bottled unfiltered to preserve the Syrah characteristics to the fullest.
Dark purple in colour with ruby highlights. Pronounced nose of chocolate, vanilla, toasted oak and plums. On the palate it is intense with fruit with plums, blackberry and chocolate flavours. Rounded  mouth feel followed by lingering tannis. very good finish.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Price Range: Eur13.80
RATING: RS91.



6: GRAND VIN DE HAUTEVILLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 DOK SUPERIOR.
    Vintage tardive- Late harvest- barrel matured.
     Winemaker: Emm. Delicata & Sons, Malta.

Full-bodied, Cabernet Sauvignon, quite rich red along the edges and nearly black in the center. Balanced ripe fruit from the late harvest and good structure. On the nose it exhibits scents of rasberry and black cherry. In the mouth the tannins are dense and lush, leading to a lingering velvety finish.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Price range: Eur9.50
RATING: RS89.

Premium Red Varietals from Malta.

These wines are still relatively young, even the Meridiana Celsius 2006, and they can still devlop and evolve further. I would suggest a 5 to 10 year aging period would result in a more textured and complex set of wines.
For best results these wines should be opened well before serving and to be decanted if possible. Most are unfiltered  to preserve their full characteristics, therefore ample breathing time is recommended.

Prime Beef Rib-Eye Steaks.

Bistecca Ala Fiorentina -T Bone

FOOD PAIRINGS: Red meats- roast beef, grilled prime steaks, mature cheese, pasta, French cuisine, poultry and meaty stews- rabbit, beef, veal. Roast lamb. For the Cabernet Sauvignon: red meats;cream and butter sauces; For the Merlot: Veal, Salmon and tuna, chicken, shellfish; For the Syrah: pairs well with all foods listed here.

Stuffed pork fillet, aubergine..



Prime beef Fillet

More food selections. The pork and salmon pair well with a good, mellow Merlot as well as with a good white wine. The beef fillet is strictly for the Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon or one of the red blends.

Poached salmon in herbs-Pairs well with Merlot.