CorkRules - Episodes | Mandolin Aegean Bistro Mandolin Aegean Bistro

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About this Episode

Cecilia Bonet, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head south to Florida where they review the wine list at Mandolin Miami, an Aegean Bistro founded by husband and wife team, Ahmet Erkaya and Anastasia Koutsioukis, in 2009. The atmosphere is warm, genuine, Mediterranean hospitality and the menu is inspired by the traditions of the Aegean.

Wines reviewed include:

2019 Artemis Karamolegos “Pyritis”, Assyrtiko, Santorini
2018 San Pedro De Yacochuya, Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina
2018 Domaine Cecile Tremblay “Les Cabottes”, Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy

Transcript: Mandolin Aegean Bistro

Mandolin Miami

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!

A podcast where we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Cecilia Bonet, wine educator and certified sommelier.

Hello Cecilia, great to have you back for another great wine list.

CB: Hello Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes wine lists can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

MANDOLIN MIAMI

1940s house-turned-bistro with a charming dining garden enlivened by an awning of trees

You are instantly transported to the tavernas along Aegean coastal towns where the Greek Islands meet the Turkish coast

Top Level View

Perhaps for aesthetic reasons, I must say that the wine list is quite difficult to read, and with some small errors. But… if you are enthusiastic about choosing your wine, don't give up, you will find incredible things!

It is certainly not the classic wine list with references mostly from California and France. Here you will also see small producers who vinify in only 2.5 hectares, and clear choices of organic, biodynamic and unfiltered wines.

Unique Stuff

Artemis Karamolegos 'Pyritis', Assyrtiko, Santorini - Greece 2019

Artemis Karamolegos is one of the most dynamic wineries on Santorini. They specialize in Assyrtiko and own just over 3 hectares of vineyards, some over 100 years old.

Located in the tiny volcanic Greek island, their vines were cultivated before the Minoan eruption in 1613 BCE, known as the most violent eruption in recent millennia.

The volcanic soils are a scrubby mix of basalt, granite, pumice, obsidian and ash, well suited to amplifying the mineral, marine profile of Assyrtiko.

Pyritis Assyrtiko comes from three vineyards of 120+ year old vines and was fermented with the native yeast in stainless, so no oak contact. The result is this striking and vibrant wine that has a flinty minerality and salinity, streaking across the fuller, lees-lined palate with lemon pith and peel, quince, mirabelle plum, anise.

It would match with the mussels as good as with a refreshing Greek Salad.

Value Wines

San Pedro De Yacochuya, Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon, Valley of Cafayate-Salta, Argentina 2018

In this opportunity, I’ve chosen a wine from my country, but from a most uncommon place than Mendoza.

San Pedro de Yacochuya is the winery of flying Bordeaux winemaker Michel Rolland and the Etchart family in Salta’s Cafayate valley.

The estate's 60-year-old vines grow at around 2000 metres above sea level in desert-like conditions. The high altitude helps to produce intensely concentrated and richly-flavoured wines thanks to the intense UV rays and dry, arid conditions.

Composed primarily of Malbec along with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon This blend presents an intense violet color, sweet entry, balanced acidity with a very marked fruity character, and a contribution of oak that gives it complexity. In the mouth you will find spicy touches, with firm and ripe tannins.

Big, bold and fantastic, this North Argentinian wine is worth combining with the beef souvlaki.

Bigger budget/Special Occasion

Domaine Cecile Tremblay “Les Cabottes”, Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy, France 2018

Organic/Unfined/Unfiltered $375

Chambolle produces the most elegant wines in the Côte de Nuits, having more active chalk and less clay in the soil than the other villages, and Cécile Tremblay is without a doubt one of the most talented wine growers in Burgundy.

Her wines are precise, pure, of high quality, combining elegance and finesse with structure and complexity. The classic style, is respectful of local traditions, but attentive to the latest techniques and knowledge.

Les Cabottes 2018 has some notes of red berries, sweet spices and rose petals; and in the mouth is medium to full-bodied, velvety with lively acids, sweet tannins and a long finish. it's worth a special effort to seek out and I’ve found it in the wine list!

So, I think you have no choice but enjoy this one wine some Meze.

Cecilia, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Mandolini wine list. I can’t wait to go try your great suggestions.

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: Info@corkrules.com or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.