Top Wine Picks
Wine is like art - it enriches the soul and enlightens the spirit.
Aaron Henry has completed certifications from both The International Wine Guild as well as the Court of Masters. He has been in the restaurant industry for the last 20 years, where his passion for fine wine and food flourished.
While traveling through Europe as a young adult, his interest began to grow with every country he visited. From there, Aaron began to study, taste and experience all that he could involving wine and food.
Aaron has been a sommelier at local restaurants, an Assistant Wine Director and is currently the Assistant Wine Buyer for Argonaut Wine and Liquor in downtown Denver, all the while tasting, talking and teaching the wonderful world of wine.
In the past year, Aaron has tasted many wines while working at the Argonaut. These are some favorites. They include a worldly selection of great wines that really speak to the quality and value that you can find in some lesser known regions or varieties.
Aaron's Top Wine Picks
2014 Luna Berbide "Finca la Cuesta"; Mencia
From the Bierzo region in Northwest Spain. Dark, violet in color. Aromas of black cherry, cassis and hints of forest floor. A light to medium bodied wine with a rush of dark fruit reminiscent of fresh picked mountain berries. Beautifully balanced acidity and just the right amount of earth. This wine is amazingly balanced! Not overstated, not an over -the- top palate killer! Smooth and mouth watering! I would recommend this to anyone looking for an elegant, light, fruit forward wine with balanced acidity and earthiness. I would pair this with a charcuterie plate or even some tamales.
2015 Ocaso Reserva Malbec; Mendoza, Argentina
From the higher elevations of Mendoza, up in the mountains of the Tupungato area, comes an extremely well done Malbec! Violet with purple reflections. Dark and vibrant from the start. Aromas of blackberry, fig, and hints of cedar and dark, ripe plums. Deep and extracted fruits of blueberry, blackberry, plum and fig are intertwined with touches of vanilla and dark chocolate. Savory spices help balance a voluptuous body with just the right amount of tannins. Medium to full bodied, this wine has a great long finish! I would pair this wine with a nice winter pot roast!
2014 Terradora Aglianico; Campania, Italy
From the south of Italy comes a bright, amazing wine. Ruby red with touches of garnet red and reflections of violet. Black cherry, plum and fig aromas reach right out of the glass and lead to a bright first sip. Bing cherries, plum and mature red fruits are balanced with tight, structured tannins and just the right amount of acidity. A superb wine to pair with lasagna!
2015 Bhilar Plots Rioja Blanco; Rioja, Spain
Nestled in the valley floors in the north of Spain, this region is more known for red wines but is producing some amazing whites using Viura and Garnacha Blanco. Beautiful pale gold in color. Aromas of pear, apples, slightly herbaceous and floral. Bright fruits of pear, honey crisp apples and hints of citrus are integrated with tropical fruits and spices. Slightly floral with crisp acidity and slight notes of minerals. So well balanced with a long mouthwatering finish! This wine is something different yet hits all the key elements of a complex, dry fruit driven white wine! I would pair this with steamed mussels in garlic butter or even sushi!
2016 Portal da Calcada Reserva; Vinho Verde, Portugal
All estate grown fruit and bottled in such a beautiful setting. Great summer wine but too good to not enjoy all year round. Pale straw yellow with hints of gold in color. Aromas of pear, honeysuckle and citrus. Light , bright, crisp and very refreshing! Notes of orange peel, lemon and lime are balanced by pear and slight hints of tropical fruit! Lively acidity makes this wine almost slightly effervescent! Fresh and persistent all the way through to a long finish! This wine is gorgeous! I would recommend pairing with a trout almandine.
2016 Picollo Ernesto Gavi; Piedmont, Italy
Beautiful right out of the bottle! Colors of bright yellow and golden straw reflections shimmer in the glass! Aromas of lemon , lime zest and orange blossoms with hints of spring flowers. First sip is full of vibrant fresh fruits. Lemons, limes and pineapple lend to subtle tropical nuances with hints of melon. Light to medium in body with extremely well balanced acidity and finessed touches of minerals. Complex and so delightful all the way through to a super finish. Pairs great with shellfish, I would recommend a shrimp scampi!