Reds other than Malbec

As I have mentioned in previous posts Argentina does not just make one wine. Though the industry is hanging most of its "hat" on Malbec most wineries produce a variety of different wines. The most interesting varietal that I tried was Bonarda closely followed by Pinot Noir. Depending on where the wines are grown I believe that these two grapes have bright futures in Argentina. The below wines represent the best of the non-Malbecs I tried.

Bodega Tapiz, Pinot Noir, San Pablo Vineyard Mendoza 2008: I am very excited by this wine. Unlike many "New World" Pinot Noirs this wine is elegant, balanced and true to the grape itself. Aromas of cranberries, raspberries, sour cherries, hints of dried hay, dried leaves, and forest floor. The flavors are in lock-step with the nose finishing with a bright pop of acidity keeping the wine very fresh on the palate. This was a really good wine. 800 cases produced $15 to $20 retail (Not in USA yet)

I don't want anyone to forget the Verum wines so please refer to my previous post to see the unique and lovely wines from the Rio Negro appellation of Patagonia.

Kasana  Bonarda, Agrelo Mendoza 2006 (vineyard planted in 1970):
I have only tried a few Bonardas and this was by and far the best one I have had. Not only, is it the best Bonarda I have tried but it was one of the best wines we tried on the entire trip. The color was a bright red and the glass exploded with aromas of dark plums, ripe cherries, tobacco leaf, wild flowers, and savory spices. The palate was extremely expressive with flavors similar to the nose: plum, mixed berries, cherries, wild flowers, and dried herbs. This is a very complex wine that the group talked about for nearly forty-five minutes. It will be in the US market in May or June and should retail for $25

Zolo, Bonarda, Tupungato Mendoza 2008: I recently enjoyed another bottle of this on Wednesday night and it showed just as well as it did in Mendoza. I really dig Bonarda for its fruit forwardness, spiciness, and texture. Zolo's example is plump and round with aromas and flavors of plums, blueberries, black cherries, violets, dried meat, and savory spices. It is medium in body with fine tannins and a very long finish. This is a great wine for BBQ or roasted meats.

Alto Cedro, Tempranillo, La Consulta Mendoza 2008: I was able to try a few different Tempranillos while in Mendoza and this was by far the best example. Karim Mussi is the extremely talented wine maker of Alto Cedro and each of his wines truly speak of the land and he is able to coax so much out of his grapes. This wine is quite complex with a mixture of dried cherries, raspberries, anise, and dried herbs on the nose. The palate is well structured and firm (it could use some decanting) with the fruit being a bit shy. $15 retail

Preludio, Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2005: This was the value hit of the tour! A beautiful example of Cabernet Sauvignon and how the wine can be full in body but have a gentle elegance around it. The wine was full of mixed berry aromas wrapped around more complex aromas of graphite, black tea, sandalwood, and crushed rocks/gravel. The palate was magnificent with the core of fruit showing well: plum, cherries,  and currants. My notes say, "so Bordeaux like!!!!". $14 retail

Zolo, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza 2006: While the Preludio is an excise in subtly, the Zolo Reserve is a monster! This is a very modern wine packed full of aromas and flavors yet it still has a soul that makes this hedonistic wine so good. The color would never get out of any fabric, it is darker than night. The nose is a flood of aromas of dense, dark and juicy fruits: black plums, candied cherries, cassis, tobacco, bay leaf, pepper, cedar, and baking spices. The palate is rich, full in body and firm. The wine is very young but will mellow out with either a bit of decanting or some more time in bottle. The kicker is that the wine only retails for $20! This wine is so good I would stack it up against many wine two or three times the price. If you like full-bodiedd wines that are big, bold and beautiful go find this!

All of these wines are great examples of the passion, ingenuity, and desire to make Argentina not just a good region for value wines but a world-class wine region.

Comments

[jordan france]

Green Leaf is excellent, imo.

[supra thunder hightop]

No road is long with good company

[supra thunder hightop]

No road is long with good company

[new jordans]

Learning English can be fun. Open sesame.

[Air Max 1]

Green Leaf is excellent, imo.

[Air Jordan 4]

KOKO....TELL ME WHY...ANYTHING BUT A MISTAKE....O(∩_∩)O~