In my previous article, I talked about the top wines that I tasted at the International Festival Tasting Room during VanWineFest 2023. Those were wines that are in my 4.5 – 5 star range. But as I checked my notes, I saw that I had many enjoyable wines in the 4 – 4.5 star range. Below are my tasting notes for wines from the Southern Hemisphere and from the Rest of the World that fit in this quality category. Enjoy.
White and Sparkling Wines
Southern Hemisphere
Bodega Huanacache Chis Reserva Chardonnay 2021, Argentina – Medium lemon colour. Light toasty citrus nose. Medium plus body, dry and soft with a buttery mouthfeel. Tropical fruit, pineapple and toast flavours, plus a touch of sweet spices. Fresh flavours. Medium acidity. 
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Bodega Luis Segundo Correas Valle Las Acequias Chardonnay 2022, Argentina – A very fruity nose showing orange, sweet fruit and floral aromas. Dry, lighter body with a lean mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Oranges and sweet fruit flavours. –
El Esteco Don David Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Argentina – A light stone fruit nose. Higher acidity. Salty minerality and green bean flavours. Dry with a light body and longer length. –
Hacienda Araucano Clo de Lolol Organic White Blend 2021, Chile – PIne needles and sweet stone fruit nose. Dry, light body and mouthfeel. Lightly round. Pine needle and light stone fruit flavours. Medium acidity. Light pepperiness on the finish. A classy wine. –
Bodega Trivento White Malbec 2022, Argentina – A light stone fruit nose. Medium body, dry. Salty minerality, stone fruit and a touch of citrus. Tart fruit flavours. –
Arboleda Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Chile – A light-intensity nose with herbaceous and honey aromas. Dry, medium-plus body, round with medium acidity. Herbaceous flavour plus a touch of honey and minerality. –
Vina Carmen DO Quijada Semillon 2019, Chile – Medium intensity flinty nose. Medium body, soft, with a light mouthfeel. Light stonefruit, mineral flavours, with a touch of vanilla / butterscotch on the finish. –
Vina Santa Ema Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley 2022, Chile – Green beans and jalapeno pepper on the nose. Dry, medium-body. Green bean flavour and salty minerality. –
Bodega Garzon Reserva Albarino 2022, Uruguay – Light stone fruit nose. Tropical fruit, coconut, and stone fruit flavours.Dry, light body with bright acidity. Some minerality. –
The Rest of the World
Chateau Pesquie Terrasses AOC Ventoux Blanc 2021, France – Pale lemon colou. Light stone fruit and honey nose. Lighter body, smooth with low acidity. Apple, stone fruit and sweet spice flavours. 5 -
Wine Art Estate Plana Malagousia, 2021, Greece – Light lemon colour. Quite fragrant; lemon and lime. Lighter body and mouthfeel. Light flavours of lime, with touches of honey and mint. Medium acidity. Off-dry. A fun wine. –
Bottega White Gold NV, Italy – Prosecco. Pale lemon. Light stone fruit aromas. Off-dry, high acidity with a small creamy bubble. Light mouthfeel. Citrus with lesser sweet stone fruit flavours. –
Villa Sandi Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut NV, Italy – A medium-intensity bright lemon colour. Light sweet stonefruit and honey nose. Off-dry, medium body and bubble. Medium-plus acidity leaves a light prickle on the tongue. Fresh stone fruit and honey on the palate. –
Zeni 1870 Soave Classico – Zeni Vigne Alte 2021, Italy – Pale lemon colour. Light honey, orange and stone fruit nose. Smooth and soft mouthfeel with low acidity. Mineral and stone fruit flavours. Some tartness on the finish. –
Red Wines
Southern Hemisphere
Clos de Luz ARAO Carmenere Blend 2018, Chile – Clear translucent medium garnet colour. Light restrained aromas of red fruit and oak. Medium body, soft, and smooth with a roundish mouthfeel. Capsicum and red fruit flavours. Light tannins. –
Vina Errazuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Chile – Medium translucent garnet with a hint of bricking. Light red fruit and a touch of leather aromas. Medium body, smooth with vibrant red fruit flavours, and light tannins. –
Vina Undurraga Sibaris Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2020, Chile – Light green bean nose with more on the palate. Dry, medium body and acidity. Salty minerality and green bean flavours. –
Bodega Argento Estate Bottled Organic Malbec 2021, Argentina – A deep dull ruby colour. Medium intensity nose with earthy and berry fruit aromas. Dry, medium body and acidity. Berries with a touch of pepperiness and tart fruit flavours on the finish. -
Bodega Argento Single Block Altamira Organic Malbec 2019, Argentina – Medium intensity dull garnet colour. Light-intensity red fruit, red berries and a hint of floral on the nose. Dry, lighter body with a lean mouthfeel. Medium acidity. Tart red fruit flavours. Medium length with drying tannins. –
Piattelli Vineyards Reserve Mendoza Malbec 2021, Argentina – Medium intensity, dull translucent ruby colour. Meaty and red fruit nose. Medium body with a lean mouthfeel. Medium acidity and light tannins. Sweet red fruits, nutmeg, light pepperiness and a touch of floral. Medium length. –
Vina Koyle Royale Carmenere 2019, Chile – A lighter clear garnet colour. Light raspberry and durian flavour on the nose (hard to describe. No durian aroma.) The durian continues to the palate, plus red fruit and light pepperiness. Medium body, and lightly round mouthfeel. 5 -
Bodega Garzon Marselan Riserva 2020, Uruguay – A deep dark garnet colour. Ripe juicy berry nose. Medium body, round with ripe tannins. Sweet back fruit flavours. –
The Rest of the World
Maison Mirabeau Etoile Provence Rosé 2021, France – A pale rose petal colour. Light stone fruit, watermelon and strawberry aromas. Medium body with a smooth soft and round mouthfeel. Lower acidity Rhubarb and red fruit flavours. –
