Argentina is making some mighty fine wine right now. In fact, if we had our druthers we would be selling more of it than we actually do.
The value factor is strong here, and the wines wear their grape varieties on their sleeves. The Chardonnays are brilliant little chameleons, one moment showing off creamy Cali-inspired textures and the next basking in the Mendoza minerality. The Cabernet Sauvignons are coming on strong, extensive work in the vineyards turning out wines that pair up qualitatively with their Napa Valley counterparts that sell for twice as much…or more!
The current crop of releases we’re seeing from this southern hemisphere bastion is something else. We’re turning down stuff we would have jumped at a few years ago simply because the bar has been raised so high by the country’s brightest stars.
Which brings us to this Saturday mini-offer. Not a lot of juice to be had but today is a perfect opportunity for us to throw a couple of the real bell-ringers from Argentina’s current crop at you at prices that are pretty amazing given the quality.
Zolo’s Cabernet Reserve 2010(Wine Advocate 93 points) caught everybody’s attention after Neil Martin lobbed a 93 point hand grenade at it. That is a serious number for a Cab on the shelf south of $20! He said the wine finished “…powerful but wonderfully focused” calling it “…a classy Cabernet.” We’ll just have to take his word on that since the wine will sell out before we get a chance to try it!
Also on the docket this Saturday is Salentein’s surprising 2010 Chardonnay Reserve. The work that consultant Paul Hobbs is doing at the Salentein Estate is nothing short of miraculous. In the span of a couple vintages he’s managed to craft a minerally, full bodied-yet-focused, exquisite bottle of Chardonnay, selling south of $15, that will have folks throwing away their ‘Rombie’ and trading down while not skipping a beat. It’s delicious, chill and swill Chardonnay that can ‘white tablecloth’ it with the best of them. Only 7 cases available, minus what we’ve scooped up for ourselves this summer!
93 pts! The 2010 Zolo Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a worthy follow-up to the 2009. It has a sedate, well-defined bouquet of kirsch, cranberry, raspberry and that gravel note. The palate is full-bodied and well-balanced with earthy ripe black fruit. It is a little broody, but draws you in, and the finish is powerful but wonderfully focused. This is a classy Cabernet. Drink 2013-2020+ Neil Martin Wine Advocate #20
Consultant Paul Hobbs has crafted a little Mendoza masterpiece here. Sourced from two different estate vineyards at over 3000 feet above sea level, the juice ferments in French oak followed by a partial malolactic fermentation to increase mouthfeel while still maintaining the wine's distinctive, mountain-grown minerality. We were smitten by this wine's combo of richness and balance, which can prove all too elusive with many a California Chard. And the price is an added bonus!
