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Tasting of South American Wines September 2001 |
WINES OF CHILE & ARGENTINA
Around 50 wines in 90 minutes courtesy of Mövenpick Weinkeller, Basel, so the notes are not exactly comprehensive, but might give you some idea. Currently around 2.4 chf/£
Bodega Norton (Argentina)
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza (15.5chf). Oaky, strong tannin, a hint astringent
1999 Malbec Reserva, Mendoza (20chf). Quite tannic, very good overall
1999 Privada, Mendoza merlot-cabernet-malbec (26.8chf). Good acid and tannin, probably enough fruit to balance (!)
Fabre & Montmayou (Argentina)
1996 Malbec, Mendoza (17.8chf). Mid bodied, slightly boring, okay.
1997 Malbec Syrah, Rio Negro ‘Infinitus’ from Patagonia (14.5chf). Clean, tasty, good !
1997 Grand Vin, Mendoza (32chf). Nose & initial taste not spectacular, but mid-palate and follow-through really excellent, overall very good.
Bodegas Salentin (Argentina)
1999 Malbec Roble Alto Valle de Uco Mendoza (16.5chf). Tasty, hint of sour cherry
Santa Rosa Estate La Agricola (Argentina)
2000 Tempranillo Oak aged Mendoza (12.5chf). Not obviously tempranillo, very toasty oak nose, finishes astringent (ugh!)
2000 Bonarda/Sangiovese Reserva, Mendoza (17chf). Vanilla plus Sangiovese – actually not bad !
1999 Malbec Oak Reserve, Mendoza (13.5chf). Some tasty (mild) vanilla on finish
Bodegas Nieto y Senetiner (Argentina)
1999 Malbec Reserva, Mendoza (19chf). Toasted oak nose, but a bit astringent.
1999 Malbec Cadus, Mendoza (48chf). Very dark, estery nose, very good.
Bodega Familia Cassone (Argentina)
1999 Malbec Reserva Obra Prima, Mendoza (23chf). Slight bodied, but nice fruit – good.
Bodegas Terrazas (Argentina)
1999 Malbec Reserva, Mendoza 1067 metres (19.9chf). Vanilla a bit overdone, save for 3 years and will probably be very good (my wife bought some)
1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Mendoza 980 metres (19.9chf). Bit astringent, not fab !
Altos de Medrano (Argentina)
2000 Malbec Reserva Vina Hormigas, Mendoza (35chf). Smooth and very oaky, oak makes fruit a little ‘dirty’ though.
2000 Malbec Las Hormigas, Mendoza (13.8chf). High toned nose, some vanilla on palate, very long, very good. (Bought some)
Bodega y Cavas de Weinert (Argentina)
1998 Carrascal, Mendoza Malbec-cabernet-merlot (14.8chf). Flowery nose, medium body, quite pure – enjoyed.
1996 Malbec Gran Vino, Mendoza (23chf). Interesting nose, hint of (sherry type) oxidation, quite good.
1994 Cab Sauv Estrella, Mendoza (65chf). Excellent nose, medium bodied, very good.
Vina Errazuriz (Chile)
1999 Cab sauv, Estate Aconcagua Valley (12.8chf) Hint of oak, subdued fruit, good & not bad value.
1999 Cab sauv, Reserva Aconcagua Valley (25chf). Good fruity nose, very good.
2000 Merlot, Curico Valley (13.8chf). Astringent, not very good.
1999 Merlot Reserva, Aconcagua Valley (25chf). Velvety tannin, lots of expressive fruit – best of cheaper merlots.
1999 Syrah Reserva, Aconcagua Valley (25chf). Toasty oak, tannic. Stick to Australia or France !
1998 Don Maximano Founder’s Reserve, Aconcagua Valley (80chf). Toasty & furry, good acid & tannin – fine.
1999 Don Maximano Founder’s Reserve, Aconcagua Valley (89chf). As previous, but a bit more closed, potentially a bit better – also fine.
Sena (Chile)
1997 Sena, Aconcagua Valley (98chf). Best nose by a mile, finishes long & fruity – best wine on display so bought some.
Luis Felipe Edwards (Chile)
1998 Cab Sauv Reserva, Colchagua Valley (20chf). Good acid & fruit, quite long – good.
1999 Carmenère, Colchagua Valley (13.8chf). medium bodied, medium interest – not bad.
1999 Cab Sauv, Colchagua Valley (9.8chf). Good fruit, good value.
Casa Lapostolle (Chile)
1999 Cab Sauv, Rapel Valley (14.9chf). Muted nose, dark & thick, well covered tannins. Fruit a bit subdued, but very good.
2000 Merlot, Rapel Valley (14.9chf). Oaky, but not bad.
1999 Tanao Las Kuras Single Vineyard, Rapel valley (22chf). Fruit ‘compote’ nose, strong tannins, medium interest.
1998 Cab Sauv, Colchagua Valley, Cuvée Alexandre (28chf). ‘Dirty’ oak nose which also comes through on the palate. Strong acid and tannin – a bit rough just now.
1999 Merlot, Colchagua Valley, Cuvée Alexandre (34chf). Some subtle vanilla, lots of tannin. Very young, but could be very good.
Vina MontGras (Chile)
1999 Carmenère Reserva, Colchagua Valley (17chf). Nice, sweet, not bad at all.
Santa Helena (Chile)
1999 Cab Sauv, Central Valley, Siglo de Oro (9.8chf). Muted blackcurrant nose, medium bodied. Good ‘unadulterated’ fruit on palate – terrific value – I bought some.
1999 Cab Sauv, Central Valley, Seleccion del Directorio (17chf). Long on finish, not very exciting, but good.
Vina San Pedro (Chile)
1997 Cabo de Hornos, Lontué Valley (85chf). Closed nose, but much better in the mouth than Almaviva or either Don Maximano – second best wine tonight !
Almaviva (Chile)
1999 Almaviva (79chf). Very good, but also quite anonymous after both of the Don Maximanos.
Veramonte Vineyards (Chile)
1998 Primus Aconcagua Red Table Wine, Alto de Casablanca (35chf). Really toasty, good mouthfeel – good.
1998 Cab Sauv, Maipo Valley (16chf). Oaky, sweet, not bad.
1999 Merlot, Maipo Valley (16chf). Oaky, sweet, not bad. (Again!)
Vina Carmen (Chile)
1998 Cab Sauv, Gran Reserva, Maipo Valley (18chf). Subdued nose, not bad overall.
1999 Carmenère-Cabernet, Reserve, Maipo Valley (18chf). Just a hint of vanilla on nose which comes through on palate too. Not bad.
Bodega Leonardo José Falcone (Chile)
2000 Tanat Paysandu, Abuelo Domingo (14.8chf). Sweet compote nose, medium bodied, good but not much interest.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . now where’s the door . . . . . . . . !
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