Wines of Argentina.

We are now into the generic wine tasting season, with the Wines of Chile tasting last week and the Wines of Argentina Tasting at Lords earlier this week.A few years ago I had a brilliant wine trip to Argentina and experienced stunning scenery, exciting wine styles and a fantastic couple of nights out in Buenos Aires.There was much to look forward to and Argentina didn’t disappointment. First up, Gran Lurton Corte Friuliano 2010 Uco Valley, Francois Lurton, £14.95. Stockist: Roberson. Made from 96% Tokay, with a tiny amount of Torrontes, Chardonnay and oak, this was the most elegant and refined white I tasted all day with floral, lemon, mineral character, restrained oak and beautifully balance. A wine to savour now in its current style, although apparently it will age up to 8-10 years. Also from the Uco Valley, Salentein’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011. Stockist: Matthew Clark and only available in restaurants. Although there were some grassy Sauvignon Blanc hints, this sophisticated white is dominated by pear drops and lime flavours. Salta in the north of Argentina is home to high quality Torrontes, with a really good example Terrazas de Los Andes Selection Torrontes 2010, Cafayate, Salta, £12.50. Stockist: Tesco Wine by the Case, Slurp.co.uk £14.85. Dry, grapey, floral and spicy, with hints of apricots, backed by crisp acidity – a requirement for quality, thirst quenching Torrontes. Other Salta Torrontes’ to impress included Familia Zuccardi’s Serie A Torrontes 2010, Cafayate, Salta, £9.99, Hennings Wine Merchants and Etchart’s Privado Cafayate, Salta 2010, Matthew Clark and only available in resturants. Away from Salta, Norton’s Torrontes 2011 from Mendoza, £6.99, Nicolas is well priced, fresh and crisp.
The reds were in fine form; however as a general comment it is hard to discern the quality/pricing relationship at the premium level, with some wines easily outshining other reds at twice the price. Kicking off with the value end of the premium market, Clos De Los Siete 2008, Clos de Los 7, Michel Rolland, Mendoza, £13.29, Waitrose is an oak aged blend of Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. This full bodied, dark, complex, stylish wine with blackberry/blackcurrant fruit is a high quality red that needs decanting for a few hours. Norton Privada 2008, Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza, £17.99, Waitrose is a Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend which is well structured, subtlely oaky and delicious, with plummy, damson fruit flavours and a long finish. Other reds to impress included: Paisaje de Tupungato Finca Flichman 2008 Mendoza, £15.99, Stevens Garnier, Michel Torino’s dark chocolaty, refined Altimus 2008, Cafayate, Salta, £25, with the 2007 available from Slurp.co.uk at £22.70 and I’m assuming they will move on to the 2008.