Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Argentina 2014
Special Report
by Tim Atkin MW
Contents
Pg
05 Introduction
07 Winemakers of Argentina
12 The 10 things you need to know about Argentina
15 Top 25s
16 A personal selection of Argentina’s best wines
17 A short guide to Argentina’s growing regions
19 A note about scoring
46 Tasting Notes
68 Complete scores A-Z
79 Recommended restaurants
80 Further reading
81 Acknowledgements
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Introduction
“We are survival experts,” my taxi driver, Ernesto Chervo, told me on my way to the
airport at the end of my most recent trip to Argentina. And it’s true. Regular visitors
learn not to take talk of impending financial and political meltdown too seriously. The
country may be going through one of its periodic spells of macro-economic turmoil, but
that’s nothing new. They seem to occur at the rate of one a decade and bust is always
followed by boom, a trough by a peak. Through it all, the optimism of the Argentine
people somehow remains intact, helped by the unofficial black market “dollar blue” and
that instinct for survival.
Argentina’s economy may be in the doldrums, that the wines were lighter and fresher in the
but the national wine industry has cause for past, despite their manifest faults. International
cautious optimism. Overseas companies are not consultants encouraged an understanding of
investing at the rate they did between 2003 and the importance cleanliness in the winery, as
2007 (the biggest recent expansion) but new well as the use of new barrels and more fruit
wineries are still opening and existing ones are forward wines. It wasn’t all about outsiders either.
producing better wines than ever. To cite only Argentinean companies such as Catena Zapata,
three outstanding bodegas that have emerged in Luigi Bosca, Trapiche and Zuccardi, to name but
the last few years: Tres 14, Per Se and Casarena. a few, made advances of their own. This was also
Change rarely moves at a uniform pace. a period that saw the planting of new and exciting
Sometimes it’s sluggish, sometimes it has a spring vineyards in places such as the Uco Valley, as well
in its toes. Argentina’s wine industry is currently as the rediscovery of old vines that were in danger
exhibiting the latter tendency. In the space of two of neglect, or of being grubbed up.
years, the improvement in quality of the country’s It would be a mistake to say that producers
white wines, Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Francs, overlooked the importance of terroir. But it was
red blends and, most excitingly of all given the arguably of secondary importance. Establishing
variety’s iconic status in Argentina, its Malbecs, the name of Argentina on export markets, as well
has been spectacular. In the twenty years that as that of Malbec, was a more important goal.
I have been visiting the country I have never Argentina developed a very successful reputation
witnessed such rapid development in such a short for producing soft, sweet, aromatic reds, often
space of time. with quite a bit of oak and generally (for the
It’s important to remember that, despite its more expensive examples at least) packaged in
Spanish roots in the 16th century, the modern a heavy bottle.
Argentinean wine industry is little more than That reputation still exists and has done
thirty years old. In the early 1980s, the prevailing wonders for the country’s wine industry. But there
wine styles were flat and oxidised, what one are welcome signs that Argentinean winemakers
oenologist dismisses as “the Sherry approach are looking to the next stage. Argentina is a
to winemaking”. What replaced it in the 1980s, famously hot, continental place to make wine (it’s
1990s and 2000s was a more international comparatively warm, even at altitude or southerly
approach, influenced primarily by the United latitudes) and the styles generally reflect that.
States, but also by France, Italy and the United But there is a perceptible shift towards fresher
Kingdom. wines with lower alcohol levels, led by the
Few would deny that such changes were for Michelini brothers (of Passionate Wine and
the good, although Gerardo Michelini argues Zorzal and under their own eponymous label)
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but increasingly followed by other wineries, too. our wines,” says Antonini. “Over-ripe fruit and
The new breed of Argentinean wines is less oaky over-extraction don’t show terroir. In fact, quite
and full-bodied than the norm, leaving the palate the opposite. Premium grapes release aromas
refreshed rather than fatigued. and flavours more easily and don’t need lots of
People are talking about vineyard sources far new oak to show at their best. Less is more when
more than they did even two years ago. Certain you have great fruit. The same is true of the
sub-regions in Argentina (Agrelo, La Consulta winemaker. Gianfranco Soldera of Case Basse
and Las Compuertas, for example) have always in Montalcino says that ‘the winemaker is the
had a reputation for growing very good grapes, screwdriver, not the Ferrari’. In recent years,
but the focus on site has become much narrower we’ve focused too much on the Ferraris.”
of late. The appreciation of terroir is at its most At the highest level of Argentinean wine,
acute in Mendoza, especially in Luján de Cuyo the shift is from technique to terroir. “With
and the Uco Valley. Some of these vines are more technique you can’t stand out from the crowd,”
than 100 years old, but many (particularly in the adds Antonini, “with terroir you can.” I think
Uco Valley’s Gualtallary and Altamira are not). he’s correct. The ripe, often slightly sweet
As the vines in these two sub-regions mature, the “caramelo” styles that have served Argentina so
improvement in the quality of the best wines will well for the last 25 years were an improvement
be awesome. on what preceded them, but they often taste
What is the best way to express differences formulaic, at least to me. Fresher, more balanced
in terroir? Let’s hear from Alberto Antonini, wines with a true sense of place are an exciting
the Italian who has masterminded the changes new development, helped by two excellent and
at Altos Las Hormigas as well as consulting generally cooler vintages in 2013 and 2011 in most
for Zuccardi, another winery at the crest of the parts of the country. Will the market appreciate
new wave. “Our mission is to preserve purity in them? Fingers crossed.
“ Argentina is a famously
hot, continental place to
make wine.”
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Winemakers
of Argentina
Clockwise from top left: Alejandro Vigil, Alejandro Sejanovich, Alejandro Pepa, Mariano di Paola, Edy del Popolo, José
Spisso, Gustavo Bertagna, Gerardo Danitz, Leni Martínez.
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Clockwise from top left: David Bonomi, Angel Cordoba, Bastien Perrenoud, Thibault Delmotte,
Piero Inchisa della Rochetta, Andrea Marchiori, Manuel González, Pepe Zuccardi, Javier Lo Forte.
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Clockwise from top left: Gustavo Soto, Alberto Antonini, Philippe Rolet, Daniel Pi, Juan Pablo Michelini, Lis Persico,
Hans Vinding-Diers, Walter Bressia, Pepe Galante (centre).
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Clockwise from top left: Mariano Quiroga, Guijo Barsi, Pedro Parra, Edu Pulenta, Matías Riccitelli, Roberto Luka,
Sebastián Zuccardi, Santiago Achaval.
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Clockwise from top left: Hervé and Diane Joyaux, Roberto de la Mota, Leonardo Erazu, José-Manuel Ortega Fournier,
Nicolas Audebert, Marcelo Pelleriti (centre).
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Ten things
you need to know
about Argentina
Argentina is the fifth most del Desierto, Bodega del Río Elorza, Bressia,
significant wine-producing Catena Zapata, Casarena, Melipal, Per Se,
country on the planet after Pulenta Estate, Riglos, Tres 14, Zaha and Zorzal.
France, Italy, Spain and the United States. No less a winemaker than Alejandro Vigil of
At the most recent count, it had 217, 750 hectares Catena Zapata thinks that Cabernet Franc has
of vineyards and an annual production of around greater potential in Argentina than Cabernet
15 million hectolitres. But these bald statistics Sauvignon. Other “lesser” red varieties to look
only tell part of the story. Wine, like tango, out for are Tannat (Colomé, Davalos, El Porvenir
football and “parillas” (barbecues), is part of de Cafayate, Michel Torino and San Pedro
Argentina’s national culture in a way that it is not de Yacochuya), Petit Verdot (Viña Vida) and
in Chile, Brazil or Uruguay, the other three most Bonarda (Altos Las Hormigas, Nieto Senetiner,
important wine-producing countries in South Passionate Wine and Zuccardi).
America. Argentineans may not drink their
national wines with the gusto they once did – per Argentina is making some of
capita consumption has fallen from 90 litres in South America’s best Pinot Noirs.
the 1970s to 28 litres today, most of it so-called As someone who was a signed up
“vinos corrientes” (every day wines) and “finitos” member of the “Argentinean Pinot: why do they
(between every day wines and fine wines) – but bother?” society, I was amazed by the quality
they are still enthusiastic and patriotic drinkers. of the Pinots I tasted on my most recent trip.
I’d always liked the Pinots from Chacra, Piero
Red wines dominate production, Incisa della Rocchetta’s Patagonian outpost, but
to the tune of 72.5% of the thought they were exceptions to a disappointing
country’s total. This isn’t so rule. Argentina’s best Pinots – from Gualtallary,
surprising when you consider the national San Pablo, Río Negro and Neuquén (especially
predilection for beef (roughly twelve times Añelo) – are now a match for anything but the
greater than it is in the UK) and the fact that very best of Chile. Apart from Chacra, other
most of Argentina’s wines are produced in warm, impressive producers are Familia Schroeder,
near-desert conditions. There are certainly Humberto Canale, Manos Negras, Passionate
cooler climates in parts of Patagonia, Cafayate Wine, Salentein and Zorzal.
and the higher Uco Valley, but this is a country
that is better suited to red than white grapes. Malbec is still Argentina’s
signature red grape and will be
Cabernet Franc has a very for as long as grapes are grown
exciting future. Statistically there. It is also the variety that has established
speaking, it is comparatively the country on export markets, especially the
unimportant (at least for now) but it is very United States. But Malbec has been something
successful in parts of Argentina, either as a of a mixed blessing, as it tends to blind many
blending component, or as a stand-alone wine. consumers to the other wine styles Argentina
Producers doing exciting things with the grape produces. Grapes like Cabernet Franc, Pinot
include Andeluna, Bodega Aleanna, Bodega Noir, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Syrah (as well as
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the superb red blends) would surely enjoy greater of Chilean Sauvignon or Chardonnay on visits
popularity on export markets if Malbec’s image to Mendoza. But the local whites are much
were not so dominant. fresher and more varied than they were, partly
A crucial next step – to avoid Malbec as a result of cooler vintages in 2013 and 2011.
becoming something of a commodity, as much Torrontés is only the second most planted
as anything else – is to emphasise regional and white variety in the country (if you combine its
sub-regional differences. three main clones – Riojano, Sanjuanino and
You only have to taste a range of Malbecs Mendocino – it has 24.2% of the white total,
from different producers and parts of the behind the bulk wine grape, Pedro Giménez) but
country to appreciate that this is a grape that it is Argentina’s USP. My good friend Fabricio
“contains multitudes”, as the poet Walt Whitman Portelli, Argentina’s leading wine writer, thinks
once put it in another context. Malbecs from that the grape is “original and different, but not
Cafayate and Río Negro, to take two geographical great”. I take a slightly different view, based on
extremes, can almost taste as if they are made my tasting of the wines from Dominio del Plata
from different varieties. The same goes for the (Benmarco) and Alta Vista, both of whom make
sub-regions of Mendoza. Just taste an Altamira very tasty examples.
Malbec (especially one grown on limestone soils) The list of good whites doesn’t stop there.
against one from, say, Luján de Cuyo. Malbec is There are also a growing number of impressive
capable of a range of aromas and flavours and it’s Chardonnays (Bramare, Catena Zapata, Doña
high time that Argentina emphasised this. Paula, Escorihuela Gascon, Rutini and Salentein)
Part of the improvements in the quality of and Sauvignon Blancs (Bacán, Finca Sophenia,
Argentina’s top Malbecs is down to the move O Fournier, Passionate Wine and Zorzal). Other
away from what Sebastián Zuccardi calls “the wines that are worth tasting include Mendel’s
Bordeaux formula”. He adds: “We used to think Semillon, Terrazas de los Andes’ sweet Petit
that to make a good Malbec you had to treat it Manseng, Walter Bressia’s Lágrima Canella, a
like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, but it’s a very blend of mostly Chardonnay with 30% Semillon,
different grape. It has more in common with and Amalaya’s cuvée of Torrontés and 15%
Sangiovese or Garnacha. We need to rethink the Riesling. Argentina is also making steps, rather
way we make Malbec.” than strides, forward with Riesling, Viognier
and Pinot Gris.
Red blends can be every bit as
good as varietal wines. Malbec may The expression of individual
steal most of the headlines (as well as terroirs is becoming increasingly
the body copy) in Argentina, but consumers and important. Argentineans have always
critics often overlook the quality of the Malbec- been adept at viticulture, largely rejecting the
and increasingly Cabernet Franc-based blends. discredited New World line that “soil is dirt”
Other varieties that work well in combination from an early stage, but there is now increasing
include Syrah, Tannat, Petit Verdot, Merlot, focus on planting the right varieties in the right
Bonarda, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. places as well as at the right altitude. To take
Outstanding exponents of red blends include only one example, Vistaflores in the Uco Valley
Archival Ferrer, Alta Vista, Andeluna, Bodega has no fewer than nine different micro-terroirs.
Aleanna, Bressia, Catena Zapata, Colomé, Fabre Not all of them are ideal for Malbec.
Montmayou, Finca Decero, Luigi Bosca, Mendel, As Alberto Arizu of Luigi Bosca (as well as
Michelini Brothers, Noemía, Norton, O Fournier, the outgoing president of Wines of Argentina)
Passionate Wine, Per Se, Pulenta Estate, puts it: “The challenge for the next 10 years
Trapiche, tres 14, Riglos, Rutini, Viña Alicia, is to focus on our terroirs – not the broader
Zorzal and Zuccardi. geographical terroirs or the political terroirs,
but the terroirs that give the vine and the
Argentina’s white wines are grapes character.”
improving by the vintage. Not To this end, the digging of “calicatas” (pits)
so long ago, I used to long for a glass – to examine and understand what lies under
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the surface of the vineyard rather than just its Pelleriti), Bodega Aleanna (Alejandro Vigil) and
topsoil – is increasingly common, with Altos La Roberto de la Mota (La Revancha). All of them
Hormigas, Catena Zapata, Doña Paula, Mendel, are worth buying.
Passionate Wine, Salentein and Zuccardi leading This is not to overlook the ongoing
the way. Two French-trained viticulturists, one contribution of outsiders, not just the famous
Chilean (Pedro Parra) and one Argentinean quartet of international oenologists (Roberto
(Martín Kaiser), have been particularly Cipresso, Michel Rolland, Alberto Antonini and
influential, especially in identifying sites with a Paul Hobbs) who have invested their own money
high percentage of limestone in the Uco Valley. in establishing high-end projects in Argentina
This is a comparatively recent discovery and as well as working as consultants, but also the
it is changing the face of Argentinean wine, likes of Hans Vinding-Diers (Noemía), Dieter
producing more mineral reds and whites. Maier (Ojo de Vino), Giuseppe Franceschini
Not so long ago, altitude was what producers (Franceschini Posenato), Piero Inchisa
focused on above all. It’s an important factor, but de la Rocchetta (Chacra), François Lurton
it’s far from the only one. A vineyard situated (Piedra Negra), Thibaut Delmotte (Colomé),
at 1,000 metres in Mendoza is very different Nicolas Audebert (Terrazas de los Andes and
from one at the same altitude in San Juan. Soil, Cheval des Andes), Philippe Rolet (Alta Vista),
latitude, climate and the elusive human element Leonardo Erazu (Altos Las Hormigas) and
are crucial too. Aurelio Montes (Kaikén).
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Top 25s
producers
Top Top Top
25 25 25
PRODUCERS VALUE WINERIES
PRODUCERS TO WATCH
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A Personal
Selection of
Argentina’s
Best Wines
Malbec Other Reds
2011 Achaval Ferrer Finca Bella Vista 2009 Andeluna Pasionado Cabernet Franc
2012 Altos Las Hormigas Appellation Vistaflores 2010 Bressia Monteagrelo Cabernet Franc
2011 Casarena Lauren’s Vineyard 2010 Bodega Aleanna Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc
2010 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 2011 Chacra Treinta y Dos Pinot Noir
2011 Cobos 2012 Passionate Wine Punta Negra Pinot Noir
2011 De Angeles Viña 1924 Single Vineyard 2010 Pulenta Estate Gran Cabernet Franc
2010 Doña Paula Los Indios Parcel 2011 Riglos Gran Cabernet Franc
2011 Noemía 2011 Salentein Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, Plot No. 1
2010 Trapiche Terroir Series, Finca Ambrosia 2007 Viña Alicia Nebbiolo
2011 Zuccardi Aluvional, La Consulta 2012 Zuccardi Emma Zuccardi Bonarda
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A short guide to
Argentina’s
Growing Regions
Argentina’s vineyards stretch from 22° to 42° La Rioja
latitude. Most are planted within sight of the Vineyard area: 7,067 hectares
Andes, although altitudes vary considerably, Main varieties: Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon,
from 250m to just over 3,100m. Here are the Chardonnay, Malbec, Syrah, Torrontés
most important details about each of the wine In a nutshell: The site of Argentina’s first
regions. Grape varieties of particular interest are vineyards. Some good wines here – the Fairtrade
highlighted in bold. and organic projects are particularly interesting
– while the La Riojana co-operative is one of the
country’s best. An area with as yet unrealised
Catamarca potential, although the wines from Valle de la
Vineyard area: 2,539 hectares Puerta are worth looking out for.
Main varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec,
Syrah, Torrontés
In a nutshell: Isolated, mountainous and Mendoza
generally less well developed, wine-wise than Vineyard area: 154,215 hectares
neighbouring Salta. The centre of the wine Main varieties: Bonarda, Cabernet Franc,
industry is the Fiambala Valley, but this is one Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin,
Argentina’s least well-visited regions. Recent Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon
plantings in the Santa Maria district by Michel Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tocai Friulano,
Torino are promising. Torrontés, Semillon, Viognier
In a nutshell: The hub of the Argentinean wine
industry. A large and varied area that produces
most of the country’s best wines. Maipú,
East Mendoza and San Rafael tend to produce
cheaper styles than the best sub-regions:
traditional Luján de Cuyo (which includes
Agrelo, Perdriel, Lunlunta, Ugarteche and
Vistalba) and the cooler, higher altitude Uco
Valley (see separate entry).
La Pampa
Vineyard area: 211 hectares
Main varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon,
Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Viognier
Mostly known for the production of a single
winery (Bodega del Desierto), this is a new,
isolated vineyard area that has been making
wine since 2004. The initial results are
promising, made with help from American guru,
Paul Hobbs.
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Tucumán
Vineyard area: 89 hectares
Main varieties: Chardonnay, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Malbec, Tannat, Torrontés, Syrah
In a nutshell: Best known for its share of the
Calchaquí Valley (with neighbouring Catamarca
and Salta). Plantings are comparatively small
and are mostly located in the sparsely populated
Tafí del Valle department. High altitude
viticulture (starting at 1,800m) is the theme here
in a region that has real promise.
Río Negro
Vineyard area: 1,733 hectares
Main varieties: Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Uco Valley
Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Vineyard area: 25,000 hectares
Ugni Blanc Main varieties: Cabernet Franc,
In a nutshell: The oldest vine-growing region Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay,
in Patagonia and the source of most of its best Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon
wines, with greater freshness and longevity than Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo
those of Neuquén to the west. Marked diurnal In a nutshell: Currently the most exciting
temperature swings and old vines make this an region in Argentina, thanks to a combination
area to watch for everything from Pinot Noir to of foreign investment, high altitudes, the
Malbec, via Merlot and Riesling. proximity of the Andes, old vines (especially in
La Consulta) and new plantings in Gualtallary.
The potential of Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc
Salta and Malbec (especially if it’s grown on limestone)
Vineyard area: 2,552 hectares is enormous, especially as some of the new
Main varieties: Bonarda, Cabernet vineyards mature.
Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin, Malbec,
Merlot, Tannat, Syrah, Torrontés
In a nutshell: Contains the highest vineyards
in the world (at 3,111), framed by a dry, cactus-
strewn desert. Some increasingly good red
blends here, but only a handful of really good
producers. Still best known for its Torrontés
Riojano, but plantings are now shared equally
between reds and white.
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A note
about scoring
The wines for this report were tasted in Talking to winemakers and viticulturists is
Argentina and London over a period of two the best way to understand local conditions,
months in November and December 2013. Some vintage variations and stylistic nuances. I am a
were tasted at individual wineries, but many sufficiently experienced taster to judge a wine for
were assessed at bespoke blind and sighted what it is, warts, beauty spots and all.
tastings organised by Winifera and Wines of This report runs to more than 25,000 words.
Argentina in Mendoza and Buenos Aires. I tasted Rather than provide a tasting note for every one
many of these wines on more than one occasion. of the 500+ wines I sampled, I have concentrated
If significant discrepancies occurred in my on those that scored 90 points or more. It is a
scores, I tried another sample back in London. measure of the improvements in Argentinean
wine that there were 161 of these in my 2012
Almost all of the wines I assessed were report and more than twice that number here.
bottled, but there were a few wines that I I’ve suggested a drinking window for each wine
tasted as (nearly) finished samples from tank and, where appropriate, provided its varietal
or barrel. It would be a shame to deprive you of make up.
the outstanding wines from Per Se or the new,
terroir-based Malbecs from Altos Las Hormigas Have a look at the example below to see how
by being too prescriptive. I’ve organised the information for each wine
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Tasting notes
Recommended
wines
Reds
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2010 Noemía 2
93 12.5%, Río Negro
Produced for the first time in 2007, and not made again until 2010, this is Hans Vinding-
Diers’ homage to Bordeaux, where he grew up, with mostly Cabernet Sauvignon supported
by 8% Merlot, 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. The vines are old (from the 1940s and 1955)
and the wine is suitably ageworthy. It’s a classy, polished, Médoc-meets-Patagonia style with
flavours of mint, cassis and dried herbs and fine, graphite-infused tannins. Its finish is long
and refreshing.
Drink: 2014-20
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2010 Caro
15%, Mendoza
I’d give this wine a higher mark if it weren’t undermined by gamey, brettanomyces-like
aromas and flavours. It’s a big, ripe, lavishly oaked blend, combining the winemaking know-
how of both Catena Zapata and Château Lafite, but it ought to be more exciting than it is.
Drink: 2014-18
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Renacer Malbec
15.2%, Luján de Cuyo
The top Malbec from this Perdriel-based winery combines fruit from Luján de Cuyo and
the Uco Valley. Consultant Alberto Antonini has made the most of the old vine material to
produce a super ripe, concentrated Malbec that is ageing gracefully. Dense and serious, with
flavours of black figs, sweet oak, liquorice and blackberry.
Drink: 2014-17
2012 Riccitelli The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree Malbec
14.5%, Mendoza
The cryptic label is a reference to Matías Riccitelli’s father, Jorge, who is the winemaker at
Norton. This is his entry point Malbec and it’s supremely drinkable, as well as less oaky than
his higher end reds. The emphasis is on juicy, supple, aromatic fruit here, with freshness and
medium-weight tannins.
Drink: 2014-16
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Whites
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Sweet
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Sparkling
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Complete
scores A-Z
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira Malbec Uco Valley 2011 Red 95 14.5
Alta Vista Alizarine Single Vineyard Malbec Luján de Cuyo 2011 Red 93 15
Alta Vista Atemporal Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc Limited Edition Mendoza 2012 Red 90 14
Alta Vista Atemporal Malbec/Touriga Nacional Limited Edition Uco Valley 2012 Red 91 13.5
Alta Vista Serenade Single Vineyard Malbec Luján de Cuyo 2011 Red 92 15
Altos La Hormigas Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda Medrano 2012 Red 89 13.7
Altos La Hormigas Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda Reserve Medrano 2011 Red 91 14.3
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Appellation Gualtallary Gualtallary 2012 Red 96 13.9
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Clásico Luján de Cuyo 2012 Red 89 14.2
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserve Uco Valley 2012 Red 94 14.5
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserve Uco Valley 2011 Red 93 14.5
Altos Las Hormigas Single Vineyard Malbec Vistaflores 2011 Red 94 14.5
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
Andeluna Malbec Rosé Tupungato 2013 Rosé 86 13.5
Bodega Aleanna Gran Enemigo Cabernet Franc Gualtallary 2010 Red 94 13.2
Bodega del Desierto Late Harvest Viognier La Pampa 2013 Sweet 90 10.7
Bodega del Río Elorza Verum Cabernet Franc Río Negro 2011 Red 91 14
Bodega del Río Elorza Verum Chardonnay Río Negro 2012 White 87 14
Bodega del Río Elorza Verum Pinot Noir Río Negro 2012 Red 88 14
Bodega El Esteco Don David Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Cafayate 2012 Red 92 14
Bodega El Esteco Don David Torrontés Reserve Cafayate 2013 White 90 13.9
Bodega Iaccarini Cavas Don Nicasio Bonarda San Rafael 2011 Red 91 14
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
Carmelo Patti Cabernet Sauvignon Luján de Cuyo 2005 Red 91 13.8
Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Bones Chardonnay Uco Valley 2010 White 94 13
Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard White Stones Chardonnay Uco Valley 2010 White 93 13
Cavas del 23 Beviam Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Uco Valley 2012 Red 83 14.1
Chacra Cincuenta y Cinco Pinot Noir Río Negro 2012 Red 93 12.9
Chacra Pinot Treinta y Dos Pinot Noir Río Negro 2011 Red 94 13.7
Cuarto Dominio Chento Vineyard Selection Uco Valley 2012 Red 84 13.9
De Angeles Viña 1924 Single Vineyard Gran Malbec Vistalba 2011 Red 96 14.9
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
DiamAndes de Uco Chardonnay Uco Valley 2012 White 91 14.5
Dominio del Plata Crios Limited Edition Red Blend Mendoza 2012 Red 89 13.9
Dominio del Plata Late Harvest Torrontés Altamira 2010 Sweet 92 12.5
Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Brioso Mendoza 2010 Red 92 14.3
Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Signature Cabernet Mendoza 2012 Red 91 14.3
Doña Paula Estate Black Edition Luján de Cuyo 2012 Red 92 14.1
El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Malbec, Finca Río Seco Cafayate 2012 Red 94 14.5
El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Single Vineyard Torrontés Cafayate 2013 White 91 13.2
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
Fabre Montmayou Chardonnay Reserva Mendoza 2013 White 86 14.5
Fabre Montmayou Grande Réserve Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2011 Red 93 14.8
Familia Schroeder Alto Limay Pinot Noir Joven Neuquén 2011 Red 90 14
Familia Schroeder Alto Limay Pinot Noir Select Neuquén 2012 Red 91 14
Familia Schroeder Saurus Barrel Fermented Pinot Noir Neuquén 2012 Red 87 14.5
Familia Schroeder Saurus Barrel Fermented Malbec Neuquén 2012 Red 91 14.5
Fin del Mundo Pinot Noir Reserva Neuquén 2011 Red 86 14.3
Finca Decero Cabernet Sauvignon Remolinos Vineyard Agrelo 2010 Red 91 14.3
Finca La Luz Callejón del Crimen Gran Reserva Uco Valley 2010 Red 92 14
Finca Las Moras Finca Pedernal Malbec Pedernal 2011 Red 89 14.5
Fincas de la Juanita Juana del Sol Gran Reserva Malbec Mendoza 2010 Red 78 14
Flechas de los Andes Gran Corte Uco Valley 2010 Red 89 14.5
Gimenez Riili Gran Familia Syrah Limited Edition Uco Valley 2011 Red 91 14.5
Gimenez Riili Padres Dedicados Cabernet Franc Uco Valley 2012 Red 87 14.6
Hand of God Old Vine Malbec, Stolen Horse Vineyard Maipú 2010 Red 91 14.5
Humberto Canale Cabernet Franc Selección de Familia Río Negro 2010 Red 88 13.7
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
Humberto Canale Merlot Selección de Familia Río Negro 2011 Red 89 14
Humberto Canale Old Vineyard Pinot Noir Río Negro 2011 Red 90 13.5
Humberto Canale Old Vineyard Riesling Río Negro 2012 White 87 13.5
La Giostra del Vino Bacán Malbec Reserva Agrelo 2011 Red 92 14.5
La Giostra del Vino Bacán Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Mendoza 2011 White 93 13
La Giostra del Vino Bacán Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Vistaflores 2012 White 92 13
Lariviere Yturbe Partida Limitada Malbec Luján de Cuyo 2010 Red 93 14.7
Manos Negras Red Soil Select Pinot Noir Neuquén 2010 Red 92 13.9
Marcelo Pelleriti Selection Grand Reserve Malbec Uco Valley 2011 Red 89 14.5
Mauricio Lorca Gran Lorca Poético Uco Valley 2008 Red 89 14.5
Mauricio Lorca Gran Lorca Poético Cabernet Franc Uco Valley 2009 Red 88 14.5
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
Mauricio Lorca Sin Madera Blend Uco Valley 2009 Red 87 14.5
Mythic Estate Blanc de Blancs Gran Reserva Mendoza 2012 White 88 14.5
Nieto Senetiner Cadus Single Vineyard Bonarda Alto Agrelo 2012 Red 89 14.3
Nieto Senetiner Cadus Single Vineyard Finca Las Tortugas Malbec Luján de Cuyo 2010 Red 92 14.9
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
O Fournier Urban Uco Tempranillo Uco Valley 2013 Red 87 14.5
Passionate Wine Montesco Agua de Roca Sauvignon Blanc Tupungato 2013 White 92 9.5
Passionate Wine Montesco Punta Negra Pinot Noir Tupungato 2012 Red 92 12.8
Passionate Wine Paso del Sapo Vino de Lejos Chardonnay Chubut 2010 White 92 12.5
Recuerdo Malbec Aliado Reserva Malbec Uco Valley 2012 Red 87 14.5
Riccitelli The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree Malbec Mendoza 2012 Red 90 14.5
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
Riglos Gran Cabernet Sauvignon Tupungato 2011 Red 93 15
Ruca Malen Kinien Cabernet Sauvignon Uco Valley 2008 Red 88 14.3
Salentein Chardonay Reserve Barrel Selection Uco Valley 2012 White 89 13.5
Salentein Numina Gran Corte, Spirit Vineyard Uco Valley 2011 Red 94 14.5
Salentein Single Vineyard Chardonnay, Plot No. 2 Uco Valley 2011 White 94 13.5
Salentein Single Vineyard Malbec, Plot No. 21 Uco Valley 2010 Red 92 14.5
Salentein Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, Plot No. 1 Uco Valley 2011 Red 94 14
Salentein Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Plot No. 24 Uco Valley 2012 Sweet 91 12.5
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
Terrazas de los Andes Petit Manseng Mendoza 2010 Sweet 94 14
Terrazas de los Andes Single Parcel Los Castaños Malbec Altamira 2009 Red 93 14.5
Terrazas de los Andes Single Parcel Los Cerezos Malbec Las Compuertas 2009 Red 91 15
Terrazas de los Andes Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Perdriel 2010 Red 93 14.5
Terrazas de los Andes Single Vineyard Malbec Las Compuertas 2010 Red 93 15
Trapiche Finca la Palmas Malbec Gran Reserva Mendoza 2011 Red 90 14.5
Trapiche Finca Las Palmas Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva Mendoza 2011 Red 88 14.5
Trapiche Finca Las Palmas Grand Reserve Chardonnay Uco Valley 2012 White 91 14
Trapiche Gran Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon Uco Valley 2011 Red 92 14.5
Trapiche Malbec Terroir Series Finca Ambrosia Gualtallary 2010 Red 97 15.5
Trapiche Malbec Terroir Series Finca Orellana de Escobar La Consulta 2010 Red 95 15.5
Trapiche Malbec Terroir Series Finca Suarez Lastra Altamira 2010 Red 95 15.5
Trapiche Terroir Series Malbec Cristina y Bibiana Colettto Tupungato 2011 Red 96 15
Viña Alicia Paso de Piedra Cabernet Sauvignon Luján de Cuyo 2007 Red 91 14
Viña Alicia Paso de Piedra Malbec Luján de Cuyo 2009 Red 92 14.5
Viña Cobos Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon Luján de Cuyo 2011 Red 89 14.8
Viña Cobos Bramare Marchiori Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2011 Red 91 14.7
Viña Cobos Bramare Marchiori Vineyard Chardonnay Mendoza 2012 White 92 14.4
WINE NAME
PRODUCER
VINTAGE
COLOUR
SCORE
ABV
Viña Cobos Bramare Marchiori Vineyard Malbec Perdriel 2011 Red 93 14.7
Viña Cobos Bramare Rebon Vineyard Malbec La Consulta 2011 Red 93 14.9
Viña Vida Petit Verdot Gran Reserva Uco Valley 2011 Red 93 14.4
Vines of Mendoza Michael Evans Malbec/Cabernet Franc Uco Valley 2012 Red 89 14.9
Recommended
restaurants
Buenos Aires
Unik www.andeluna.com.ar
www.unik.pro El Cielo
+ 54 (0) 2622 470814
Ilo
Mendoza
+ 54 (0) 2622 488323
Azafrán La Juntada
www.azafranresto.com www.almacendeuco.com
www.bodegarucamalen.com www.laposadadeljamon.com.ar
www.casadelvisitante.com www.bodegassalentein.com
www.dominiodelplata.com.ar www.vinesofmendoza.com
Page 79
TIM ATKIN ARGENTINA 2014 Special Report
Further reading
These are all books about Argentina that I have found both interesting and useful on my travels.
Page 80
For tasting notes, articles, music and
wine matches & more special reports,
go to www.timatkin.com.