It seems like it has been awhile since the Argentinian's have been to town and talked about their wines instead of just letting us taste them ... sure there was a tasting afterward, but first they had to inform us that much has changed in the land on the other side of the Andes: They have broken down the country into many appellations and three major regions - North, Cuyo and Patagonia. The whole of the country grows grapes between 1000 and 10,000 feet above sea level (300m - 3000m) - making it some of the most high altitude vineyards growing in the world.
Most of Argentina's grapes grow in the Cuyo region, where Mendoza is situated, this region is home to 95.52% of cultivates vines in the country.
Grapes (vitis vinifera) first came to Argentina in 1551, brought by Spanish colonists ... today it is the 5th largest producer, 9th largest exporter, 8th in cultivated surface and 7th in largest wine consumption. They also have some 1301 wineries within their borders. Mendoza grows 80% of the grapes, San Juan 16%, La Rioja 3% with at least 7 others growing less than 2% each. Wine is big business in Argentina, the Uco Valley alone has seen vineyards double since 2012.
As one would suspect Malbec is the #1 grape of the country, followed by Bonarda ... it is interesting to note that Malbec was brought to Argentina in 1853 by Michel Pouget (as far as records indicate).
The Wines of the Seminar ...
The wines were presented in a number of flights: Sparkling, Torrontes, Chardonnay, Bonarda, Malbec, "Malbec & Friends" and a Tannat.
Sparkling ... neither of the two wines presented were impressive, both had a slight oxidative note that was mostly off-putting - until we see more of these wines here in Ontario it is hard for me to make a blanket judgement as to quality.
Torrontes ... two wines were presented, the best of which was a Dominio del Plata 2014 Susana Balbo version that had some barrel notes to it, yet it was delicate, with tropical fruit and melon rind along with subtle grapefruit and nice acidity. (*** 1/2+)
Chardonnay ... neither Chardonnay was of interest the first had too much oak while the other suffered the same fate but had a note of something spicy - which made it slightly more intriguing. Having tasted another 5 during the walk around I would say Chardonnay is a not yet a strong suit of Argentina, nor do I think it will be.
Bonarda ... I have long been a fan of this grape, but some of the wines can be so boring, but a good one can be very juicy and a real delight. The winner here was the Sin Fin Guardia 2013 Bonarda with its sweet plum, cherry, and leather, with hints of spice and a real juiciness. (****)
Malbec ... this is Argentina's calling card to the world and there are some doing it real justice like the Colome 2013 Authentico Malbec with its concentrated fruit of cassis and blackberry backed by white pepper, spice and mocha with a blueberry skin finish. (****) ... While the Casa Bianchi 2013 Leo Malbec Premium is a wine that is very consumer friendly with its up front cherry, blackberry, plum, violets and spice. (****)
& Friends ... this was the cutesy name they gave the blends of Malbec and other grapes, these were the best wines of the seminar: Monteviejo Lindaflor 2010 Malbec / Syrah Blend - an 80/20 blend favouring Malbec with mocha, white pepper, blackberry, vanilla, smoke and plum with a good long finish. (****+) The other is the Catena Zapata Nicolas 2010 Cabernet / Malbec - this is an iconic wine for Argentina and is a 75/25 blend that shows beautiful red and black fruit, chocolate, fine tannins, a juicy core and real elegance. (**** 1/2)
Tannat ... I would say this is an upcoming grape with good potential in Argentina's future, there is not a lot planted at the moment but it is one they should consider putting more in ground.
The Walk Around Tasting ...
We all know Argentina is a juggernaut for Malbec - but are there other grapes they do well? Let's take a look at some other wines:
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| Alta Vista Estate 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.95) a juicy chocolate-cherry number with hints of white pepper (*** 1/2+) |
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| Catena 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95) another juicy Cabernet with raspberry, cherry, white pepper and mocha ... very well balanced - ready to drink or for cellaring (****) |
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| Desierto 2013 '25' Cabernet Franc ($18.95) touch of herbal with smokey-raspberry and gentle pepper (*** 1/2+) |
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| Dominio del Plata 2013 Crios de Susana Balbo Red Blend ($14.95) Malbec / Bonarda / Tannat / Syrah make up this blend that's rich in pepper and black fruit - ripe and ready (*** 1/2) |
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| Dominio del Plate 2013 BenMarco Cabernet Sauvignon ($18.95) red fruit, licorice, vanilla and smoke (*** 1/2) |
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| Zuccardi 2012 Finca Piedra Infinita Malbec ($120.00) silky smooth with blackberry jam, mocha and coffee taking center stage (****) |
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| Finca Las Moras 2012 Gran Syrah ($26.95) quite simply put this is a delicious Syrah with lovely black fruit, mocha, white pepper and raspberry notes - plenty more to come with age (****+) |
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| Fincas Las Moras 2014 Alma Mora Cabernet Sauvignon ($10.80) well-priced little Cab that shows chocolate and strawberry-rhubarb (*** 1/2+) |
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| Graffigna 2013 Elevation Red Blend ($14.95) Malbec / Cabernet Sauvignon / Tannat / Syrah dominated by black fruit, white pepper; easy drinking, BBQ ready (*** 1/2+) |
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| Kaiken 2012 Ultra Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.95) the Malbec has long been a staple of Vintages, and Kaiken proves that they can do Cabernet Sauvignon just as well or even better (****) |
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| Luigi Bosca 2012 Malbec DOC ($30.95) lush with a soft and silky mouthfeel: vanilla, smoky, raspberry, mocha, along with elegant yet firm tannins on the finish (****+) |
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| Luigi Bosca 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($26.95) spicy mocha-cherry with raspberry, blackberry and chocolate (****) |
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| Mascota Vineyards 2014 OPI Chardonnay ($12.95) while not a great Chardonnay it is one that delivers a delightful fruitiness (pear, peach, grapefruit) but lacks the acidity to give it punch (*** 1/2) |
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| Masi Tupungato 2010 Corbec ($24.95) a wine made in an Amarone style using the Italian Corvina and Malbec smooth and supple with lovely chocolatey-cherry character on the silky palate and a great spiced cherry finish. (****+) |
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| Pascual Toso 2013 Barranca Toso ($16.95) Malbec / Cabernet Sauvignon juicy fruit of red berry along with blackberry and an element of floral (*** 1/2+) |
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