Exploración Solo Una Vez Mendoza 2012

Deep, plush and immediately gratifying, the 2012 Exploración Solo Una Vez is 100% Cabernet Franc¬ from high mountain vineyard sites. The wine’s deep color underscores a wealth of seductive aromas and flavors reminiscent of pure ripe blackberries, currants, cacao, spice, and of course Cabernet Franc’s sensuous, warm earth tones. Rich in flavor and superbly textured, the 2012 Exploración fills the mouth and enlivens the palate with its satiny patina born of ripe tannins and an 18-month hiatus in the finest oak barrels. Although suave, sophisticated, sensuous, and downright seductive now, the 2012 Exploración Solo Una Vez will continue to mature and gratify for years to come. We suggest affording the 2012 Exploración at least 20-30 minutes of aeration before serving at cool room temperature (58°-62° F). Enjoy Exploración Solo Una Vez just this once!

What does one serve with the 2012 Exploración Solo Una Vez, a once in a lifetime wine? How about almost anything. A perfectly grilled Filet Mignon or New York Strip served with a savory portabella mushroom sauce gets our vote as does perfectly sautéed Veal Marsala. Short rib sliders on brioche buns with smoked goat cheese, caramelized onions, and a side of truffle fries makes a fine pairing, too. In fact, in Argentina, almost any cut of beef is the national accompaniment to the country’s finest red wines, so you can hardly go wrong. Rack of lamb rubbed with garlic, olive oil and rosemary is another perennial favorite. Gemelli Bolognese, a rich ragu of ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, tomatoes, gemelli pasta, burrata and basil pesto, provides another winning partner to Exploración Solo Una Vez. For a simple meatless treat, consider a burrata and white bean bruschetta with shaved Parmesan on toasted crostini. Buen Provecho!

Nick Ramkowsky and Ed Lehrman are two life-long wine guys who aren’t afraid to think big, take risks, and make big things happen. In 1999, Nick and Ed took a trip to visit wineries in Mendoza, Argentina, where they quickly realized the tremendous quality and potential in wine that lay unnoticed and untapped in Argentina, the world’s 5th largest producer of wine. They took their first big chance and decided to launch Vine Connections, a company devoted to the first nationally-imported portfolio of artisan wines from Argentina. Since then, the availability and popularity of wines from Argentina has exploded. Vine Connections’ portfolio includes some of the greatest names in Argentinean wine, such as Graffito, Luca, and Nick and Ed’s own Intuición and Exploración Solo Una Vez wines.

As if putting the wines of Argentina on our radar wasn’t enough, Nick and Ed have added an enviable line of appellation-based wines from diverse terroirs in Chile, and they have recently taken on an exciting array of California wines from innovative, super-premium producers. But Ed and Nick’s biggest idea is their once in a lifetime venture, Solo Una Vez.

According to Nick, “Ed and I decided to make wine based on quality alone, not worrying about the usual economic burdens faced in the market… We used high altitude vineyards located in Tupungato and Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo) in Mendoza, Argentina. We aged the wine for 18 months in French oak barrels, and to express the singularity of the project, Argentine friend and artist, Valeria Guarnieri, painted canvases and cut the paintings into wine label-sized pieces so that each individual bottle has its own, unique canvas label.”

Solo Una Vez, meaning “only one time” is truly a once in a lifetime venture undertaken by Nick Ramkowsky and Ed Lehrman, co-founders of Vine Connections. The International Wine of the Month Club is the exclusive recipient of this last release of 2012 Exploración Solo Una Vez, a rare Cabernet Franc of the highest caliber. Exploración Solo Una Vez will never be made again. Nick and Ed have generously agreed to part with their tiny remaining personal stock of Exploración. Take this once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy this superb wine.