As Reported by Bill Ellis (President of National Capital Sommelier Guild)
We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Edgar Flores Tiravanti and Alejandro Alberto Basualdo from the Trade & Economic Office Embassy of Argentina to a Guild only members tasting.
Here are a few facts that we discussed over the evening:
- The Argentine wine industry is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world
- During the Spanish colonization of the Americas, vine cuttings were brought to Santiago del Estero in 1557
- Argentina consumes 90% of the wine it produces (12 gallons/45 liters a year per capita according to 2006 figures)
- The desire to increase exports has fueled significant advances in the quality of wines produced
- The Mendoza Province is now one of Argentina’s top tourist destinations
Between discussion and presentations we had the opportunity to sample the following wines. Unfortunately they are not all available at the LCBO. Again, thanks to our Argentinian friends for sourcing product that we have to hope will someday be on the shelves! Here’s the list of wines we tasted:
- Pascual Toso Sparkling Malbec Rose
- Trivento Collection Fincas Sauvignon Blanc 2007
- Bodega Tapiz Torrontés, Mendoza 2008 Argentina
- 2007 Mi Terruno Malbec Rose
- Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2007
- Bodega Norton Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
- Graffigna Malbec Grand Reserve 2005
- Fuzion Alta Reserve Malbec 2008
- Zorzal Malbec Climax Tupungato 2008
- Fantelli Orgánico Malbec 2008, Mendoza (Organic)
- Enrique Foster Firmado Malbec 2006
- Las Moras Gran Shiraz 2006
- 2006 Bodega del Fin del Mundo Special Blend
tasting notes provided to us ...
1. PASCUAL TOSO MALBEC ROSE SPARKLING LCBO 162628, Price: $14.95 - "a limpid and bright rosé. On the mouth there are nots of morello cherry. An elegant sparkling to enjoy in any occasion. 4.0/5"
2. TRIVENTO COLLECTION FINCAS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007 - "Tupungato fruit. Very bold and crunchy passion fruit style, with some herbaceous character coming through. Quite powerful, with very nice burst of herbal-edged, zingy fruit on the palate, with masses of grapefruity zest and the acidity, and hints of sweeter tropical fruit adding some mid-palate ripeness and sweetness. 87/100"
3. BODEGA TAPIZ TORRONTÉS MENDOZA 2008 ARGENTINA - "Decanter Award - International Dry Aromatic under £10 trophy (Argentina's Pinot Grigio???). A spicy and floral nose that delivers refreshing dryness on the palate. Rose petal, primrose, ginger, smoke, citrus expertly balanced acidity and some honeysuckle on the finish."
4. MI TERRUÑA MALBEC ROSÉ 2007 - "$10. What a nice surprise. Grapefruit flavours, good acid. 13%. The wineries lines are MI TERRUÑO UVAS - includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Tempranill, Chardonnay, Torrontés & Bonarda; MI TERRUÑO RESERVA LIMITADA - Malbec & Cabernet Sauvignon; MI TERRUÑO RESERVA - Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon & Chardonnay; and finally, MALBEC MAYACABA. An outstanding wine is MI TERRUÑO RESERVA LIMITADA MALBEC which comes from terroirs located in the well known region of Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo. Highly recommended - Stephen Tanzer. It achieved bronze medal in the edition 2010 of the Argentina Wine Awards."
5. ZUCCARDI Q TEMPRANILLO 2007 - "Deep combination of ripe red and black fruit aromas, such as blackberries, quince and black cherries with tobacco, leather, orange liquor and chocolate notes. Silky entry with great texture. On the palate, the wine is well balanced with firm but kind tannins and a long finish. The 2006 TEMPRANILLO Q was sourced from an estate vineyard planted in 1974. Purple-coloured, it displays an enticing bouquer of mineral, blackberry, pepper and espresso. Medium to full-bodied, on the palate it is dense, nicely endowed with spicy, savory fruit, and impeccably balanced. It will evolve for 2-3 years and will offer prime drinking from 2011 to 2018. approx. $20. 90 pts - The Wine Advocate."
6. BODEGA NORTON RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 - Vibrant ruby colour. Complex aromas of ripe red fruits and mint, with dark chocolate notes. Highly concentrated on the palate with round, ripe tannins and a long, spicy finish. Solid, compact and full-bodied with blackberry, licorice and warm asphalt on the nose. The structure is quite good and tight while the flavours of blackberry and cassis are sweetened and softened by mocha and creamed coffee flavours. Powerful but under control and not too complicated. approx. $18. 89 pts - Wine Enthusiast."
7. LAS MORAS GRAN SHIRAZ 2006 - "a blend of Shiraz for the three best valleys in the San Juan region, namely Tulum Valley, Zonda Valley and Pedernal Valley. The wine produced is therefore very intense in flavour. The nose offers red fruit and hints of tobacco, chocolate and smoke. On the palate, the wine is full=bodied and powerful with silky tannins. A truly incredible, which won a Gold Medal at the London International Wine & Spirit Competition. The 3rd Argentina Wine Awards were held last week. A team of 18 judges from 5 countries, including Tim Atkin MW, Sarah Jane Evans MW and Charles Metcalfe from the UK spent 3 days in the Mendoza Sheraton blind tasting 512 wines from 128 of Argentina's best wineries. approx. $40."
8. FUZION ALTA RESERVE MALBEC LCBO 135475, Price: $ 9.95 - "LCBO Tasting Note: Bright, deep ruby with pale ruby rim; ripe black fruit aromas with notes of spice, chocolate, toast and vanilla; dry with medium/full body, balanced medium acidity and fine velvety tannins; ripe cherry, raspberry and spicy flavours lead to a long finish; serve with barbecued flank steak or lamb with a cherry reduction. Serving Suggestion: Serve with barbecued flank steak or lamb with a cherry reduction."
9. GRAFFINGA MALBEC GRAND RESERVE 2005 - "Displays an intense and deep ruby colour with traces of violet. A very aromatic nose presents the variety's typical plum aromas, combined with smoke and chocolate notes, a result of the oak and bottle ageing. On the palate, rich & sensual, well structured and perfectly balanced - winemaker. approx. $22.99 (2005)."
10. FANTELLI ORGÁNICO MALBEC 2008 VINTAGES 194134, Price: $ 14.95 - LCBO Description: Fantelli is a producer new to our market, but they have been producing wines in Argentina for over 30 years. They have actively embraced the organic movement, as this wine shows. This is a ripe, bright, deeply flavoured Malbec that is a great match for rich stews, gourmet burgers or sausage. Our Quality Assurance Laboratory has determined this wine contains 7 mg/L of free sulphur."
11. BODEGA DEL FIN DEL MUNDO SPECIAL BLEND 2006 - "The 2006 Special Blend is made up of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec and 20% Merlot aged in new French Oak for 15 months. Purple-coloured, it displays a perfume of pain grille, pencil lead, cinnamon, vanilla, black currant and blackberry. Intense, concentrated and medium to full-bodied, it has layers of black fruit, good depth and enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. Drink it from 2011 to 2018 - Jay Miller August 2009. 91 pts - Wine Advocate. approx. $30."
12. ZORZAL MALBEC CLIMAX TUPUNGATO 2008 - "Bright ruby. Blackberry, violet, licorice and bitter chocolate on the nose, perked up by a mineral compononent. Suave, concentrated and smooth on the palate, with ripe acidity giving a shape and lift to the blackberry and mineral flavours. Finishes long and peppery, with suave tannins and captivating peppery lift. A silky wine with very good spine. $61.65"
13. BODEGA ENRIQUE FOSTER FIRMADO MALBEC 2006 VINTAGES 171330, Price: $ 74.95 - "Purple as can be with loaded bouquet of black fruit and oak. This is your classic heavyweight and while 2004 was not a great vintage in Mendoza, this wine still shows excellent depth, weight and balance. Firm on the finish, with big tannins and grab. Production was only 175 cases. LCBO TASTING NOTE: ... enthralling perfume of underbrush, leather, game, exotic spices, incense, and black cherry. Voluptuous on the palate, it has superb depth and grip, layer upon layer of succulent fruit, impeccable balance, and a finish that lasts for over one minute. It will offer prime time drinking from 2014 to 2030. It is one of the stars of the vintage. Score: 94 (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Aug. 2009)."
note: "The fourth Argentina Wine Awards (AWA) 2010 was organised by Wines of Argentina and La Corporacíon Vitivinícola Argentina (COVIAR) were held at Piattelli Vineyards in Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. The panel of judges was formed by 12 Masters of Wine from 8 different countries. The international group represents just how globalized Argentinian wines have become. This year, 650 wines were tasted over 2 days, a record high of participants for AMA. The awards included 18 trophies, 30 gold medals, 182 silver medals and 260 bronze medals."
"Jancis Robinson - Argentinian Wine Competition UK; the winners included: SALENTEIN RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2009, CRÍOS DE SUSANA BALBO TORRONTÉS 2009, TAPIZ TORRONTÉS 2009, CRÍOS DE SUSANA BALBO MALBEC ROSÉ 2009, SANTA ANA RESERVE BONARDA 2008, SANTA ANA RESERVE MALBEC-SHIRAZ 2008, ZUCCARDI Q TEMPRANILLO 2007, LAS MORAS GRAN SHIRAZ 2006, BRAMARE LUJÁN DE CUYO CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007 from VIÑA COBOS, BODEGA NAVARRO CORREAS STRUCTURA 2006, MAGDALENZ TOSO 2006 from PASCUAL TOSO, FINCAS REWEN PETIT VERDOT 2008, RUCA MALÉN PETIT VERDOT 2008, NIETO RESERVA MALBEC 2009, DOÑA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC, SOPHENIA SYNTHESIS MALBEC 2008, CLIMAZ MALBEC from ZORZAL WINES and FAMILIA LATE HARVEST SÉMILLON 2004 from BODEGA VALENTIN BIANCHI."
there you have it. 13 lovely selections from Argentina.
bottoms up!
Éva
