Virtual Argentina March 2023

Our second virtual “Wine Wednesday” of 2023 sees a return to the ever-popular Argentina.  We have partnered with Specialists, Taste Argentina for some great wines.

As usual this event is held on “Zoom” so that you can enjoy the wines from the comfort of your own home.

Week 1 – 8th March

Torrontes is “the other” uniquely Argentinian variety and this example is made by one of Argentina’s top winemakers.  Susana Balbo considers her Signature wines as the 'maximum expression of her art as a winemaker', and the Signature Torrontes is one of our favourites. All the varietal character of classic Torrontes with notes of rose petal and jasmine, but rounded nicely following a little barrel fermentation and ageing in French oak.

If you’ve not tried a Cabernet Franc from Argentina then you’re in for a pleasant discovery.  This variety is one of my personal favourites and it seems to do so well in Mendoza, ripening beautifully and harnessing so well those classic characteristics – ripe red fruits, bell peppers, maybe a touch of graphite, and silky tannins.

This gorgeous example from Benegas is one of the ‘bigger’ examples on offer, with plenty of depth to the dark fruit character and a sensible, judicious use of oak.

• Susana Balbo Signature Torrontes 2021 - Retail Price £18.99
• Juan Benegas Estate Cabernet Franc - Retail Price £19.99

Week 2 – 15th March

This week we focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and related blends.  We start with a deliciously soft and fruity Cabernet from Pulenta Estate. Plenty of cassis and bramble fruit aromas on the nose with a gentle hint of menthol and cloves on the finish. Great value for money too!

The next wine is something rather special.  For a start it’s a “non-vintage”, a blend of more than one year’s fruit.  It’s also that classic blend of all five permitted varieties (if we were in Bordeaux): Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  Finally, It’s made by iconic Lebanese winemaker Karim Mussi based in the Uco Valley.  A little bit of the Haut-Mèdoc in Argentina…

• La Flor Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 – Retail Price -£13.99
• Alandes Paradoux Red Blend nv – Retail Price £20.99

Week 3 – 22nd March

No visit to Argentina would be complete without Malbec, and for our third week we actually have two of them!

We start with a modern style, more aromatic and organically produced, and with a little bit of Italy thrown in for good measure!  The Masi Passo is striking for its intense fruitiness and delicate spiciness. Its strong and exuberant character comes from the local Malbec grape, while the addition of lightly dried Corvina Veronese gives it the easy appeal and attractiveness of Venetian wines.

We conclude with a superb traditional style Malbec from Pulenta Estate.  Their “1” Malbec has a fragrant nose is with notes of violets, red cherry, and a touch of sweet spice from the 12 months spent in second and third-fill French oak barrels. The palate is richly textured with concentrated flavours and rounded tannins. An appealing minerality and vein of acidity perfectly balances the palate and lifts the finish.

• Masi Passo Doble Malbec Corvina 2020 – Retail Price £14.99
• Pulenta Estate 1 Malbec – Retail Price £19.99

As ever we have partnered with a merchant to deliver the wines.  This time it is specialists, Taste Argentina.  Please click here to buy the wines for £115 including delivery.