Desert Wines and Spirits

Saturday, July 3, 2010

4 to 6 pm

$5.00 per person

Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com

611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264

760-327-7701, 800-925-0030

Periodically we come back to Argentine wines for the simple reason the element of value looms favorably before us.  We are pouring some very nice whites and reds this Saturday that make uncorking the second bottle affordable.  Mendoza produces over 80% of Argentina’s wines at over 900 wineries throughout the region.  Although Malbec is the major red grape in production, there are other varietals doing well there.  Torrontés is the major white wine grape but again other whites are well received, too.  In the early 1990′s Argentina was exporting only 1% of its harvest, but not until the peso was devalued in 2001 did the export industry take flight.  Argentina’s wine industry has come a long way since then, and we are the better for that.

2009 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontés, Salta

List price 15.00; our price 9.99

Sourced from 31-year-old vines in Cafayate (where the finest Torrontés grows), it displays a fragrant bouquet of spring flowers, honey, and tropical aromas.  Medium-bodied and dry on the palate, it has ample fruit backed by vibrant acidity leading to a lengthy finish.  Wine Advocate Review rated this wine 90 points: “Enticing aromas that are strikingly similar to Viognier, with hints of peach pit, white pear, flowers, and orange citrus fruit.  On the palate, it has beautiful structure and acidity similar to Sauvignon Blanc along with enticing fruit flavors that keep you coming back for another sip and plenty of body for a wine that shows such delicate aromas and flavors.  Fruity, floral and yet still quite dry, this wine has to be tasted to be believed.”

2008 Alamos Chardonnay, Mendoza

List price 9.99; our price 8.99

Founded by the Catena family in Argentina, Alamos produces terrific value wines year in, year out.  This Chard is no exception.  The wine has a truly fresh flavor profile, and would work as a perfect house white for Chardonnay drinkers, as well as a perfect bridge wine for those who prefer crisper, brighter, Chardonnay while their companions perhaps favor richer, oakier flavors.  It is full-bodied, with red apple and pear fruit filling the mouth, along with some bright yellow stone fruit and just a hint of toffee from brief oak aging adding some richness and texture.

2007 Bodega NQN Picada Blend, Neuquen, Patagonia

List price 10.99; our price 8.95

Argentina’s Bodegas NQN was founded with the notion of producing top-caliber red and white wines from their newly-producing vineyards in Patagonia.  This Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Pinot Noir blend is totally unique with a structure and finesse attributable to its unique grape composition.  It shows cherry/berry fruit with a hint of herbaceousness.

2005 Bodega NQN Malma Cabernet Sauvignon, Neuquen, Patagonia

List price 12.00; our price 9.99

Cabernet Sauvignon, like all the great grapes of Bordeaux, has been adopted by Argentinean winemakers, who are producing terrific, accessible, modern styled wines.  The Malma bottling is no exception; big cassis fruit and eucalyptus are the show-stealers here.

2008 Alamos Malbec, Mendoza

List price 9.99; our price 8.99

This wine has good richness, spice and complexity.  It shows subdued yet ripe aromas of blackberry, cassis and licorice, with complimenting suggestions of chocolate, herbs, and leather. It has a plumy fruit on entry, goes ripe and smooth in the middle, with a subtle hint of sweet oak in the finish.  Wine Spectator gave it a 90-point rating.

2007 La Posta Malbec, Mendoza

List price 15.00; our price 9.99

Dark raspberry, bitter chocolate and spice aromas are lifted by a floral element.  It is densely packed and spicy, with a fine-grained texture and a juicy quality to the fruit.  The floral element carries through in the mouth, giving this wine a light touch.  The finish shows firm tannic support.  This is excellent value, considering the price we are offering. Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate and Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar both rated this wine 89 points.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 1st, 2010 at 4:51 pm and is filed under Argentina, wine knowledge, wine party. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.