Lee Isaacs from The Oxford Wine Company came and gave us a talk on wines of Argentina. As his wife is Argentinian he has an intimate and in-depth knowledge of the Country and their wines and has visited Argentina many times for work and with family. We had three whites and five reds which are described below:
Tapiz Torrontes – Valle de Uco 13.5% (£11.99) – The Tapiz Wines come from Fincas Patagonicas one of the most technologically advanced wineries in Argentina. Fincas Patagonicas vineyards are located in the Valle de Uco and Agrelo regions, in the province of Mendoza. Mt. Plata (6100 metres) and Tupungato volcano (6800 metres) overlook the state-of-the-art winery. Delicate and intense aromas of tropical flowers and fruits, fresh and well balanced. I have tried many Torrentes wines and this is one of the best I have tasted in this price bracket.
La Linda Viognier – Mendoza 13.5% (£9.99) – Full of peach and apricot fruit with a refreshingly balanced acidity a long aftertaste with piercing acidity. The Finca la Linda wines are where Luigi Bosca’s fruit-driven wines that show impressive quality at this price. The Viognier grapes are grown in vineyards 800 metres above sea level on well-drained calcareous alluvial sandy loam over gravel and boulders. A great match for white meats, soft cheeses and creamy fish dishes. I personally find viogniers a little too fruity but this wine seemed to balance fruit and acidity just right for my palate.
Pulenta Chardonnay – Mendoza 13.5% (£11.99) – Greenish-yellow colour. Citrus and tropical fruit aromas with vanilla. Pulenta Estate is owned and run by brothers, Hugo and Eduardo Pulenta. The estate is situated in Alto Agrelo in Mendoza, Argentina’s main wine producing region. The area enjoys excellent climate conditions and a fantastic panoramic aspect from up to 980 metres above sea level. Irrigation comes from melted water from the Andes Mountains, and the whole process is organic. Quite a nice chardonnay but I think there are better examples from other wine areas and countries.
Familia Zuccardi, Serie A Bonarda, Mendoza (£11.99) – The biggest influence in Argentine wine making is not Spain, but Italy. The Italians influence on Argentinian culture is self-evident in their love of food and life. One of the Italian varieties most widely used is this juicy, succulent variety Bonarda. Packed with savoury cherry and chocolate character and a supple, smooth finish. Hand picked with 30% of the wine aged in new French oak for 10 months, this has bright fruits, refreshing acidity and a subtle creaminess on the palate due to some malolactic fermentation. A nice red wine to start with and some good tannin.
Trapiche Estacion 1883 Cabernet Franc – Mendoza 14.0% (£14.99) A spicy nose with red and green pepper and plenty of black fruit. Made with minimal intervention from 100% Cabernet Franc from the Las Palmas vineyard in Cruz de Piedra, Maipú, Mendoza. This Cabernet Franc shows aromas of dark fruits such as blueberries and blackcurrants. Fruity and smooth with soft tannins and long lingering finish. Excellent to pair with game, veal and grilled pork. One of my favourite grape varietals and this is a good example with fruit vanilla oak and a deep nose.
Humberto Canale Estate Malbec – Rio Negro Patagonia 14% (£12.99) – This wine shows off a very refined style, both in the nose and in the mouth. Its careful oak cask ageing gives the wine an ultimate dimension. A full bodied wine with complex structure and surprising notes of red berries, eucalyptus, spice and black pepper. After a year in the bottle, it becomes more intense and concentrated. A good example of an Argentinian Malbec. Big bold and juicy!
Bodega Raffy Terroir Malbec – Tupungato, Uco Valley 14% (£13.50). Attractive perfume of red berries, violet, liquorice and mild tobacco. Produced in small quantities this is made using vines over 50 years of age. With low yielding vines and manual harvesting this wine has great concentration and the fruit is allowed to shine. A 5 day cold maceration is carried out pre-fermentation, allowing for the development of primary aromas. A long 4 week maceration post fermentation gives soft and silky tannins present on the palate. Another good example of Malbec slightly more refined and more balanced tannins than the previous wine.
Pulenta Gran Corte (Tannat, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon) – Mendoza 14.0% (£26.95). The 135 hectares are planted with Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, The Pulenta family make excellent Malbec, recognised as Argentina’s signature grape variety, enhancing its natural fruitiness with discipline and structure. From the same wine makers of the earlier chardonnay this is one deep smooth and brooding wine and well balanced. A bit pricey but I would have some of this at home for that special celebratory dinner!
There has been a lot of positive feedback from this meeting both on the quality of the wines and the knowledge and passion of Lee on the wines shown. We understand that Lee will be leaving The Oxford Wine Company in the near future but we have enquired and he has confirmed he will still be available to come and talk to us if and when required.
The next meeting is on Wednesday 18th March in the Village Hall where David and Ian will be doing a World Cup Rugby Wine Taste-Off!
Kevin Jacklin