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In August of 2017, I was first introduced to Susana Balbo wines. I was so impressed with this winemaker and her expressive wines that I wrote a two-part story. I recently received six more samples of Susana Balbo 2016, 2017 and 2018 vintages. Needless to say, I was ecstatic with the prospect of tasting these wines.  Before I get into the nitty-gritty of Susana’s wines, I think it is worth the re-read from my last story that covered the history of this iconic woman! Susana Balbo is the founder and owner of Susana Balbo Wines in Argentina. Susana is not only the most well known Argentinian female winemaker globally, but she is also the first female enologist in Argentina! With over thirty years experience in the wine industry, Susana has built an impressive career and produces some outstanding wines.  Photo credit: Susana Balbo Wines From an early age, Susana strayed from wanting a traditional “female” education by electing to study nuclear physics in Bariloche. However, her parents would not let her leave Mendoza to pursue this path. So, Susana made a decision to follow the family’s wine business and in 1981, she graduated from Don Bosco University with a degree in enology, becoming the first female enologist in Argentina and challenging the male-dominated wine industry in Mendoza. Susana’s career began at Michel Torino winery in the Salta province where she made her first wine in 1983. It was the first vintage of Torrontés from Salta. She then continued on to work at many other well-regarded wineries and also worked as a consultant winemaker for national and worldwide wineries before “birthing” Susana Balbo Wines in 1999. Her first vintage was released in 2002. Susana Balbo Wines is located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza in western Argentina close to the Andes Mountains.  Susana Balbo Winery Photo credit: Susana Balbo Wines Due to the close proximity of the Andes, the vineyards are subject to a hot, dry climate during the day and cool alpine winds in the evenings, thus allowing the grapes to develop and ripen slowly while reaching full tannic ripeness and maintaining their acidity. In addition to Susana’s two children, José, winemaker and Ana, Marketing Manager who joined the team in 2011 and 2012, esteemed winemaker and viticulturist, Edy Del Pópolo is also on board.  Susana with her children Ana and José. Photo credit: Susana Balbo Wines Susana is renowned throughout the world for her winemaking talents and single vineyard wines. Susana is also a global ambassador for Argentina. In 2014 she was elected to serve a third term as President of Wines of Argentina. This year, Susana was invited to chair October’s W20 summit, an international gathering of women that is a project of the larger G20 group. They met to discuss promoting gender equality in the world’s 20 leading economies. Susana produces four brands of wine that include CRIOS, Susana Balbo Signature, Nosotros and BenMarco. The Susan Balbo Signature wines are individually fermented varietals that are then carefully blended. These wines are a reflection of Susana’s tastes and preferences by enhancing each grape’s character while expressing the terroir. 2018 Susana Balbo Signature Rosé is a blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Pinot Noir. Grapes were hand-harvested from vineyards in the Uco Valley. The color is salmon with beautiful floral, citrus and red berry aromas. The palate offers a fresh and lively acidity with strawberry, red cherry, minerality and hints of sweet melon on the finish. Drink as an aperitif or with fish, fowl, cheese and sushi. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $20  2017 Susana Balbo Signature Brioso White Blend is made with 45% Semillón, 30% Torrontés and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Needless to say, this is a very seductive and aromatic wine. The grapes were hand-harvested from the high altitude vineyards of Altamira in the Uco Valley. The wine is aged four months in 60% first use French oak and 40% second use. The color is pale lemon with intense aromas of white lilies, citrus, pear and vanilla that segue onto the palate with hints of minerality on the finish. I could drink this wine all year long! Drink as an aperitif or with spicy food, cheese, fish and fowl. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $24  2016 Susana Balbo Signature Brioso is a beautiful blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 16% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot. The grapes were hand-harvested from Agrelo in Luján de Cuyo at elevations of over 3,300 feet. The wine was aged for 15 months in 100% new French oak. The color is deep red bordering on purple with intense aromas of black fruit and sweet spice. The palate offers a smooth blend of blackberry, dark plum, spice, pepper, dark cocoa and hints of cedar and floral. This is a luxurious and complex wine that is sure to age well. Pair with hearty meals and aged cheese. On the back label of the Brioso wine, Susana says, “Brioso means “a spirited love of challenge” and expresses my passionate drive to create a wine that reaches the pinnacle of quality.” Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $45  Edy Del Pópolo is a viticulturist and winemaker for BenMarco Wines. “BenMarco wines allow us to go higher in elevation and work in extreme sites never explored before”. The characteristics of the best soils and grapes of Mendoza are expressed in these wines. Vines are planted in complex alluvial soils and Edy brings the “purest interpretation of the soils to the wine by allowing the vines to speak without any winemaking influence.” The BenMarco wines are unfined and unfiltered.  Edy Del Pópolo Photo Credit: Susana Balbo Wines 2016 BenMarco Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are hand-harvested from the alluvial soils of Los Árboles vineyards in the Uco Valley. The wine is aged for 11 months in 100% French oak. The color is dark ruby with floral, dark berries and plum aromas. The palate offers black cherry, dark plum, sour cherry, blackberry fennel and pepper. This is a perfect balance of juicy acidity and grippy tannins. Pair with stews, grilled meat, hearty pasta and aged cheese. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $20  2016 BenMarco Malbec is 100% Malbec. The grapes are hand-harvested from the Los Chacayes region of the Uco Valley. The wine is aged for 11 months in 100% French oak. The color is deep ruby with aromas of floral, jammy fruit and spice. The palate offers succulent black fruit, dark plum, spice, pepper and hints of vanilla and oak on a long finish. This is a rich and expressive wine with just the right amount of acidity and tannins. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $20  2016 BenMarco Expresivo is 75% Malbec and 25% Cabernet Franc. The grapes are hand-harvested from the Gualtallary region of Uco Valley. The wine is aged for 14 months in 100% new French oak. The color is dark ruby with lush aromas of blackberry, black cherry, floral and hints of minerality. The palate is layered with spicy dark berries, dark plum, cranberry, earth, chalk, pepper and hints of vanilla and clove on a long finish. This wine has elegance and is beautifully balanced. It will be interesting to taste this again in a few years. Pair with grilled meats, fowl, spicy stews and hearty pasta. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $35  With state of the art technology and a nonstop commitment to seeking innovative ways to enhance her winemaking, Susana Balbo continues to produce elegant wines that are expressive of the terroir. I will end this story with one last quote. “The creation of my wines at Susana Balbo Wines is to me the maximum achievement as a winemaker, product of all my efforts and many years of hard work. I could say that the winery is like my third child, a dream come true.” Susana.  Photo credit: Susana Balbo Wines Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] It was a perfect summer evening. And it seemed like a good time to open a bottle of Domaine Bousquet Rosé to usher in the weekend.  Domaine Bousquet is located high up in the Gualtallary Valley of Tupungato, Argentina. The wines are quite noteworthy, incorporating French and Argentine techniques in the wine production.  I have written several stories about Domaine Bousquet. If you have the time, click on the links below to read more about the history of the estate, climate, terroir and the dynamic Anne Bousquet and her husband Labid al Ameri. Day 622 Bonjour Argentina! - The WineKnitter http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2018/01/day-622-bonjour-argentina.html Day 626 Bonjour Argentina! Part Two - The WineKnitter http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2018/02/day-626-bonjour-argentina-part-two.html Domaine Bousquet Rosé 2018 is a blend of 45% Malbec, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Pinot Gris organic grapes. The color is pink salmon with subtle aromas of strawberry, raspberry and a hint of citrus. The palate offers red berries, Bing cherries and a trace of lemon. This is a dry, crisp wine with medium acidity that is fresh and light. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $13  This is an easy wine to drink with salads, pasta dishes, fish and cheese. It paired beautifully with the pungent flavor of the Manchego cheese.  I think this going to be a white and Rosé wine kind of weekend!
Stay tuned for my next story on my travels to Veneto! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] The other evening I had a craving for a glass of Malbec. I have a nice selection to choose from, but one in particular caught my eye. It was my last bottle of Casa Marguery Malbec 2012 from Mendoza, Argentina. I gave this wine a “thumbs up” a few years ago. So, I was curious to see if it would please my palate again.  Over 70% of all Argentine wine is produced in Mendoza and of that amount, 85% is Malbec. Mendoza is located in the eastern foothills of the Andes where the climate is dry and continental, making it an ideal environment for these high altitude vineyards during the grape-growing season. Mendoza has several sub-regions that include Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. See map below.  Familia Marguery was founded in the year 2000 by Guillermo Donnerstag, a philosophy professor at the University in Mendoza. The winery is located in Cruz de Piedra, tucked away in a corner of Mendoza in the south of the city of Maipú. The wines are produced inside a converted barn with the assistance of enologist Pedro Rosell. The Malbec grapes come from the vineyards in La Consulta in Uco Valley region and Vistalba in Lujan de Cuyo region.  Guillermo Donnerstag Photo credit Familia Marguery  The Familia Marguery 2012 Casa Malbec is a beautiful blend of grapes from the regions specified above. The color is deep ruby with strong notes of cherry, berries, pomegranate and spice. The palate opens with lots of lush dark fruit, plum and spice. There is a mild oakiness that dissipates quickly and ends with black cherry and pepper on the finish. Firm tannins, full-bodied and lively, this is definitely another “thumbs up” or two! Alcohol 14% SRP: $15  My guess is that it will be hard to find any more 2012 vintages, but the next time you’re browsing the Malbec section and spot a bottle of Casa Marguery, pick up a bottle or two.  Until next time!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] As you may have guessed from previous posts, I am a big fan of Argentine wines. I have sampled many wines from this country including Bodega Trivento wines located in Mendoza. Trivento wines have oodles of flavor and personality and their price to value ratio is a bonus. So I was quite happy when bottles of Trivento Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec arrived.   For those of you who may not have read my previous posts on Mendoza or Bodega Trivento, here is a quick recap. Mendoza is considered the “heart of wine growing” in Argentina, with over 70% of all Argentine wine produced here. Of that amount, 85% of it is Malbec. Bodega Trivento is located in Mendoza, Argentina against the backdrop of the Andes. In the mid-1990s Concha y Toro, Chile’s leading wine producer, purchased this collection of eight vineyards spreading across the Maipu, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Luján de Cuyo, San Martin and Rivadavia districts, making it one of the largest wine estates in Mendoza with 3,185 acres.  The name Trivento means “three winds”, referring to the Polar, Zonda and Sudestada winds that blow across the sun-drenched and arid land of Mendoza. These winds are an integral part in the growth and unique character of the grapes. The frigid Polar winds of winter forces the sap deep into the vines. Next, the Zonda winds hurtle down from the Andes out of the West, awakening dormant sap to generate new spring growth. And finally, in the summer months, the Sudestada winds drawing from the East provides a cool breeze from the scorching sun, giving the grapes relief and aid in ripening. Trivento’s high-altitude and huge swings in day and night temperatures help influence and enhance the wines’ aromatic quality. In addition, rainfall averages only 8 inches a year. However, Mother Nature lends a hand by irrigating the vineyards with the spring snowmelt that cascades from the mountains nearby. All eight vineyards of Trivento are equipped with state of the art technology, drip irrigation systems and a dedicated team of winemakers and technicians. The Trivento Reserve Collection wines are made by Maximiliano Ortiz, a native of Mendoza, who apprenticed with internationally renowned Italian consulting enologist, Alberto Antonini, who still consults for Trivento. The grapes for the Reserve line are harvested by hand and aged for about six months in French oak barrels, followed by six months in bottle. The Trivento Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon harvested from the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo districts. The color is dark ruby with aromas of red berries, pepper and sage. The palate presented bitterness at first, which immediately segued into layers of cherry, tobacco, spices and a hint of cocoa with a pleasing finish. This is a full-bodied wine with medium tannins. Alcohol: 13.3% SRP: $11  The Trivento Cabernet Sauvignon-Malbec 2016 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Malbec. Grapes are harvested from the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo districts. The color is deep garnet with aromas of fresh cherry, plum spice and pepper. The palate offers fresh red and black berries, chocolate, spices and a hint of herbs with soft tannins and a lingering finish. Alcohol: 13.30% SRP: $11  With the rain coming down and the winds howling outside, I can’t think of a better time spent, than sipping wines from Argentina!  Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected]
 When one thinks of the tango, Argentina immediately comes to mind. And that can be said for Malbec as well. Mendoza is considered the “heart of wine growing” in this country. Over 70% of all Argentine wine is produced in Mendoza. Of that amount, 85% of it is Malbec. I recently received a few bottles of Trivento Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina that were amazing. So let’s start with a little background information before I share my tasting thoughts with you.   Bodega Trivento is located in Mendoza, Argentina against the backdrop of the Andes. In the mid-1990s Concha y Toro, Chile’s leading wine producer, purchased this collection of eight vineyards spreading across the Maipu, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Luján de Cuyo, San Martin and Rivadavia districts, making it one of the largest wine estates in Mendoza with 3,185 acres.  The name Trivento means “three winds”, referring to the Polar, Zonda and Sudestada winds that blow across the sun drenched and arid land of Mendoza. These winds are an integral part in the growth and unique character of the grapes. The frigid Polar winds of winter forces the sap deep into the vines. Next, the Zonda winds hurtle down from the Andes out of the West, awakening dormant sap to generate new spring growth. And finally, in the summer months, the Sudestada winds drawing from the East provides a cool breeze from the scorching sun, giving the grapes relief and aid in ripening. Trivento’s high-altitude and huge swings in day and night temperatures help influence and enhance the wines’ aromatic quality. In addition, rainfall averages only 8 inches a year. However, Mother Nature lends a hand by irrigating the vineyards with the spring snowmelt that cascades from the mountains nearby. All eight vineyards of Trivento are equipped with state of the art technology, drip irrigation systems and a dedicated team of winemakers and technicians. The Trivento Reserve Collection wines are made by Maximiliano Ortiz, a native of Mendoza, who apprenticed with internationally renowned Italian consulting enologist, Alberto Antonini, who still consults for Trivento. The grapes for the Reserve line are harvested by hand and aged for about six months in French oak barrels, followed by six months in bottle.  The Trivento 2015 Malbec Reserve is 100% Malbec. It is dark red bordering on violet. Mouthwatering aromas of fresh berries, plum, spice and sweet cocoa, segue onto the palate with more dark fruit, spice, pepper and vanilla added in. Soft tannins and a long finish make this a very approachable price to value ratio. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $11 Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec grapes are grown in the higher altitudes of the Luján de Cuyo zone of Mendoza. The higher altitudes contribute to greater concentration of fruit, density and a higher ratio of natural acidity that promotes the wine’s ability to age. The Lujan de Cuyo vineyard was planted more than a century ago in 1912. The grapes are harvested by hand and go through further hand selection at the winery. The wine is vinified and aged at a separate winemaking facility under the watchful eye of winemaker Germán Di Césare. The wine is aged for about twelve months in French oak, followed by varying aging times in the bottle, but usually twelve months.  The 2014 Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec is 100% Malbec. The color is purple with enticing aromas of dark berries, plum, spice and pepper. The palate offers an explosion of berries in the mouth with plum, a hint of tobacco, spice, pepper and silky tannins. This is a beautifully balanced wine that is full of surprises.
Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $21 These are affordable and very drinkable wines that will complement just about any type of food. I’m impressed! Have a great Wine Wednesday! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Even though it’s only 11:00 am and already 75 degrees outside, I’m being lured into the excitement of autumn. I just bought my first pumpkin of the season. And, I’m baking up a batch of pumpkin muffins this weekend.  While at the Wines of Burgundy tasting a few days ago, I met Luis Pannunzio, Director of Las Piedras Pura VID of Mendoza, Argentina. This family run business began with his father, Giovanni Vincenzo Pannunzio who emigrated to Argentina from Italy in 1952. His sons José and Luis now continue the tradition of winemaking that their father began. The vineyard is located in Barrancas, Maipu where attention and respect is paid to honoring the environment.  I tasted two 100% Malbecs. The first was his entry-level wine, a 2014 GV Pannunzio Malbec. Aromas of dark fruit segued nicely onto the palate. The tannins were soft with a nice finish of berries. This is not available in the US yet, but keep your eye out for it! SRP About $9 The 2014 GV Pannunzio Malbec Grand Reserva was very aromatic with lots of red fruit and a touch of floral. The palate offered dark berries, spice and licorice. Medium tannins and well balanced, this is an easy wine to serve with a variety of food. SRP About $20 http://www.laspiedraspuravid.com More reviews to follow soon!
Happy Friday! Cheers! Penina It was a “red” wine weekend. In addition to tasting some wonderful wines such as Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, I had a delicious Malbec on Sunday evening. It was one of those spur of the moment throw together meals. Fortunately, I had enough food on hand and a lot of imagination. Sautéed shrimp, veggies and tortellini made for a satisfying one dish meal.   The 2013 Catena Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina was the perfect complement to dinner. Concentrated aromas of raisins, dark cherries, earth and a hint of cocoa grabbed our attention. The palate offered blackberries, plum, spice and floral notes. Soft tannins and a silky mouth-feel added to the richness of the wine. The lengthy finish with spicy notes was perfect. Alcohol: 14% I will definitely have to explore more of this winery’s selections. http://www.catenawines.com  I have a few wine seminars and tastings to attend this week in NYC. I’m looking forward to learning about some interesting grapes and sharing it all with you! Have a great Monday!
Cheers! Penina  Last week I attended the Descorchados (uncorked in Spanish) Wine Tasting in NY. Seventy-three wineries were represented from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. In addition to tasting some outstanding wines, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with many of the winemakers one on one. There were stories to be told and wines to be shared. Many of the wine labels were quite whimsical, capturing the history and stories of the wineries. So…let me start with Argentina and one winemaker. When one thinks of wine from Argentina, Malbec is usually the first wine that comes to mind. Mendoza, Argentina is considered the “heart of wine growing” in this country. Over 70% of all Argentine wine comes from Mendoza, which includes about 85% of its Malbec! In addition, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Syrah and a small amount of Cabernet Franc are among the grapes that are grown there. The Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blanc are eye openers, as well as the recent comeback of Semillón.  At the wine tasting, I “toured” around Argentina from north to south and in between. The most significant wine valleys of Argentina are The Calchaquies Valleys, La Famatina Valleys, San Juan and of course, Mendoza. Each wine valley produces a particular grape, style and flavor. Depending on the terroir, a grape can have completely different or distinct characteristics when grown in just a slightly higher or lower elevation. Matias Riccitelli is the proprietor and winemaker of Riccitelli Wines, located in Mendoza. Born and raised in Argentina, he is the son of renowned Norton winemaker Jorge Riccatelli. Using traditional techniques as well as the newest technology, Matias has created some exceptional wines.  Matias Riccitelli He poured four unique wines for me, starting with “Hey Malbec!” a 100% Malbec grown in Luján de Cuyo. It was soft, juicy and pure. He then poured “The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree”, another 100% Malbec harvested from three different vineyards. This was more complex, yielding a richer palate and more pronounced tannins. And I quote from his website “Just as an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, a wine cannot be made without a story. My winemaking reflects what I was taught by my family and reflects the passion that characterizes each one of us”. The third 100% Malbec he poured was República Del Malbec. The grapes were grown in Vistabula and Luján de Cuyo. The wine was concentrated and smooth with lush berries and spices. “We made this wine in honor of all those immigrants who planted, worked and taught us, gave us the blessing of our flagship varietal who for over 100 years lives in this land, which has taken a unique identity in the world.” The last wine Matias poured was a 2015 Old Vines Semillón that is a new addition to his portfolio. The vineyards are located in Rio Negro and are said to be around seventy years old, which is key to the quality and natural balance of the wines. The wine was lively, fresh and had just the right amount of “sweet”. It was a treat to taste it. Matias’s enthusiasm and passion for his wines is contagious! I look forward to trying more of his wines soon! http://www.matiasriccitelli.com  As I was leaving the event, I was given a copy of “Descorchados 2016 Guide to the Wines of Argentina, Brazil, Chile & Uruguay”. Written by Patricio Tapia a noted wine critic, this comprehensive 960-page book (weighing 4 pounds) is the 17th edition. I will write about more of the Argentine winemakers I met in future posts. There is also more to come with regard to Chile, Brazil and Uruguay!
Happy Tuesday! Cheers! Penina |
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