New from Argentina
“Mexicans are descended from the Aztecs, Peruvians from the Aztecs, Peruvians from the Incas and Argentineans from the Ships.” Argentina’s cultural tradition is strongly linked to wine. The influence of the Latin civilization, mainly from Spain and Italy played a very important role in the country’s social, political and cultural development. This is how the Argentine national identity of love and cult for wine was born and developed. The exceptional climate conditions that exist in certain regions of Argentina allow the cultivation of vines in such a way that the grapes complete their vegetative cycle achieving perfect ripeness and exceptional qualities. The region of Mendoza – located at the foothill of the Andes range in the border with Chile – is, beyond any doubt, the most traditional and developed grape growing area, where the best and most prestigious wines are elaborated. We are delighted to report that after extensive tasting we have discovered and added to our range five fantastic new wines from Mendoza! Take a look……
Mayol Malbec, Familia Mayol, Mendoza, Argentina, 2007 - £11.99
This winery is a real family affair headed by the energetic Matias Mayol. Matias, who is only in his thirties, is a self-taught winemaker and is the driving force of this project. He uses the talents of consultant Steve Clifton (of Clifton Brewer in Santa Barbera). Matias quite rightly believes the vineyards and the quality of the grapes is the major contributor to wine quality. The Familia Mayol own vineyards in Tupungato, Vista Flores and Lujan de Cuyo. This is a real cutting egde boutique operation with outstanding hand crafted wines. The wine itself has flavours of mulberry and cassis with a licorice finish, light oak notes, good balance and length. Spicy and fruit driven. This entry level wine from Familia Mayol is a fine example of a classic Argentine Malbec, the Lujan de Cuyo vineyard where the fruit is sourced was the first area to receive DOC status and has some of the oldest Malbec vines in Argentina.
Jean Bousquet Pinot Noir Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina, 2007 – £12.99
Frenchman Jean Bousquet travelled thousands of miles to find his ‘optimum’ vineyard location. In Mendoza, Argentina he found a site with, in his words ‘idyllic wine-growing precipitation and temperatures, mild during the day and cool at night… situated at a good altitude (1,200 metres above sea level), with fresh air, few funguses, and very permeable sandy and rocky soils… these great attributes give the grapes the possibility to attain an optimum maturation without the risk of rotting and without having to use fungicides’. These perfect conditions combined with knowledge passed down through three winemaking generations makes for wines of exceptional quality. This is a beautiful, bright, ruby red Pinot Noir that has benchmark red cherry, red plum and smoky aromas and a ripe, soft red fruited palate. Made by a Frenchman in Argentina it has Old World class with New World generosity. It is both fermented and aged in French oak and this gives the wine real roundness and the structure that makes it such a good food wine.
Andeluna Cabernet Sauvignon, Andeluna Cellars, Mendoza, Argentina, 2007 - £9.99
Andeluna was created by its owner, business man Ward Lay and the Rutini family of Argentina. The winery and vineyards are situated in the beautiful Uco Valley close to the town of Tupungato. This area, close to the Andes, is producing some of the best fruit in Argentina and according to us is already producing world-class Cabernet. The winemaker, Silvio Alberto, has recently been acknowledged as Outstanding Young Winemaker of the Year in Argentina. Michel Rolland acts as a consultant. The winery is scooping awards round the world and the Reserve Cabernet has just won a Double Gold award in San Francisco. Their latest releases are even better and their brand new Filosur range is of outstanding value. This wine is richly flavoured with wonderful structure. Blackberry, cherry and smokey oak aromas on the nose, sweet gripping tannins with notes of mocha, kirsch, peppers and spice on the palate. Powerful and full bodied.
Filosur Malbec, Andeluna Cellars, Mendoza, Argentina, 2007 – £7.99
This is another find from the brilliant Andeluna Cellars. A fantastic-value Malbec that has been made without the use of oak, and as such delivers incredibly intense purity of fruit. To find a Malbec of this quality at such a low price is extremely rare. Drink up!
Filosur Torrontes, Andeluna Cellars, Mendoza, Argentina, 2008 – £7.99
Another gem of a wine from the Filosur range from Andeluna Cellars. Torrontes is a grape that is unique to Argentina and is certainly unique in style. At its price we genuinely believe that this is the best example that we have tasted. An explosive nose of perfume and elderflower follows through on the palate with a balance of floral intensity and fresh citrus fruits. A perfect marriage of elegance, intensity and a refreshing acidity. This is a wine that is a little bit different, but a real winner.