Celebrating the Wines of Argentina 2013

Argentina is a country with Old World roots, yet produces wines that are definitely New World in style. Most wine drinkers have probably heard about their signature red grape “Malbec“, but there are also other hidden treasures for you to discover, like Torrontes (their signature white grape), Bonarda, Syrah, and Pinot Grigio.  The Celebrate One Night in Argentina shows us the diversity of Argentinean wines at all price points, and as well helps out local charities.  For Vancouver, that charity is the BC Hospitality Foundation, who provides financial support to individuals from the hospitality industry who are coping with extraordinary costs arising from medical, accident, injury, or other medical event.  I applaud Wines of Argentina for their support.

Let’s check out the wines now. ¡Vámonos!

My Argentinean Wine Picks

White Wine (Vino Blanco)

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  Bodega Colome Estate Torrontes, 2011 (SPEC) – Light citrus and flowers on the nose with a hint of mint. Light body, dry and quite fruity with citrus and stone fruit flavours.  Spice picks up on the mid palate and continues to a long mouthwatering finish.  Very good quality.

• Fabre Montmayou Reserva Chardonnay, 2012 (SPEC) – A really elegant wine.  Light apple and oak aromas.  Light plus body, round and soft in the mouth.  Nice apple flavour with a touch of spice and oak.  Medium plus length.
• Graffigna Centenario Reserve Pinot Grigio, 2012 ($14.49) – Graffigna is one of the oldest wineries in Argentina, and all the wines I’ve tasted have been very good quality; this wine is no exception.  Apple with a hint of petrol on the nose.  Light body, dry with red apples and smokiness on the palate.  Light spice with a mineral finish.  Elegant.

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  Bodega Haarth Semillon-Chenin Organico, 2011 (SPEC) – This is a new winery for me, and I find out it is now owned by a BC family.  I was very surprised to find a Semillon-Chenin blend, that is organic from Argentina, or basically anywhere in the world. This one has a interesting nose with apple, a hint of flowers and oranges. Medium body, dry, with flowers and red apple flavours.  Spice on the mid palate.  Quite different and quite tasty.

• Bodega Septima Septimo Dia Chardonnay, 2009 (SPEC $18.99) – THis is an oaked chardonnay but the oak is there in support, not overpower the wine.  Nice vanilla, citrus and pineapple aromas.  Medium body, full round mouth feel with apples, peppermint and vanilla.  Tropical fruit on the mid-palate to the finish.  Very tasty.
• Bodega Tamari Pinot Grigio, 2011 (SPEC) – Light apple, stone fruit nose.  Medium body with some acidic prickle onthe tongue.  Round mouth feel with tasty apples and flowers on the palate.  Mineral streak running through this wine and a mouth watering finish.

Red Wine (Vino Tinto)

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  Belasco de Baquedano Llama Malbec, 2011 ($14.95) – Earthy, dark fruit nose.  Full body, round and mouth filling feel.  Very fruity with ripe red cherries and blueberries.  Light vanilla.  Fine soft tannins with some spice mid-finish.

• Bodega Catena Zapata Alta Malbec, 2011 – This winery is one of my favourite in Argentina, with a long family history, producing top quality wine.  The Alta level is only produced in years when the quality of grapes meet a higher level. Nice ripe dark fruit nose along with sweet spices and vanilla.  Full body, flowers, red fruit, cherries and vanilla flavours.  Fine tannins with a dry finish. A very pretty wine.
• Bodega Escorihuela 1884 Reservado Syrah, 2012 – Smoky, chocolate and dark fruit aromas. I quite enjoyed sniffing this wine.  Full body, mineral with smoky raspberries, cherries, and dark chocolate on the palate. Firm minus tannins.  Enjoy!
• Fabre Montmayou Reserva Malbec, 2011 (SPEC) – Ripe juicy raspberries and blueberries greet your nose. Full body, ripe raspberries, dark fruit and some cherries along with vanilla flavours.  Firm tannins.
• Graffigna Centenario Reserve Malbec, 2011 ($14.49) – Nice juicy plums and black fruit on the nose.  Full body, with ripe cassis and plums up front followed by cherries and spice.  Medium, fine tannins, with a mouth watering finish.
• Bodega Haarth Bonarda Organico, 2011 (SPEC) – Smoke and chocolate aromas in the glass. Full body with dark fruit, flowers and smoke on the palate.  Dry finish.

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  Luis Segundo Correas Winery Valle Las Acequias Bonarda, 2010 ($17.99) – Nice nutmeg and red fruit aromas.  Medium body, dry with a light mouth feel.  Tasty red fruit, cherries, and spice on the palate.

• Terrazas de los Andes Terrazas Malbec, 2011 – Nice ripe raspberries and vanilla nose. More vanilla and raspberries on the palate, together with violets and dark cherries.  Peppermint shows up mid palate.  Dry with medium tannins. Nice.
• Trapiche Gran Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 (SPEC $22.99) – Oak, vanilla and sweet ripe dark fruit nose.  Full body, dry with a soft mouth fel.  Ripe cherries and ark fruit with some nutmeg spice.  Medium length.  Very tasty.  New World style.
• Vistalba Winery Corte C, 2010 – This is a blend of 80% Malbec with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a dark fruit nose.  Mineral, juicy cassis greet your tongue followed by spice mid palate and vanilla on the finish.  Medium body and medium tannins.

Enjoy! Or as they say in Argentina, “bajá un cambio!”.