Last week’s tasting notes:

Quilmes Patagonia Amber Lager, Buenos Aires – Gorgeous burnt orange color. Medium bodied beer with good acidity, refreshing. A touch of hops, but not overly noticeable. Slight fruitiness, somewhat like peach and apple skins. Hint of bitterness towards the finish.

Antares Kölsch, Mar del Plata – Dark brown, sort of root beer color. Medium bodied beer. Somewhat low acidity. Good bitterness, orange peel and szechuan peppercorns. Fairly short finish. Overall rather pleasant.

Humberto Canale Extra Brut – 50% Semillon, 30% Pinot Noir, 10% each Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc – an unusual sparkling blend to say the least – light on the bubbles, more frizzante than a full sparkling, pale gold color. On the nose, canned pineapple, fresh raspberries and paraffin. The palate has juicy acidity, a slightly bitter toasted note, a touch too high alcohol (12.5%) given the lighter body. An interesting choice with spicy, fruity foods, though not a wow.

Alfredo Roca Chenin 2009, San Rafael – Pale straw color. On the nose, Golden Delicious apples, hint of coconut. Good acidity, bright green apple fruit, raw hazelnuts, hint of floral notes. Long finish, all apple.

Alfredo Roca Merlot Rosé 2008, San Rafael – Dark pink with a tinge of orange. Strawberries, raspberries and cream on the nose. Medium bodied, noticeable oak on the palate. Decent acidity, but could use a touch more. Very creamy finish. Reminds me, somehow, of a fruit and cheese blintz.

Rodas Sangiovese Rosado 2009, Mendoza – Beautiful dark pink color. Bitter cherries, fresh, vibrant, a touch of residual sugar that reminds me of Karo syrup. No real depth, no real length, just a delightful hot weather quaff.

Nieto-Senetiner Don Nicanor Syrah 2006, Mendoza – Inky dark purple color, held up to the light it’s still hard to see through. Boysenberry, graham cracker, and wet stone on the nose. Good acidity, full-bodied, soft but noticeable tannins, a touch hot on the finish which has a hint of licorice added to the jammy boysenberry fruit. Was a fantastic match with bistecchine di maiale – a slow cooked pork shoulder in a vinegar, bay, dried fruit and bitter chocolate sauce.

Familia Zuccardi Textual Tannat 2006, Mendoza – Beautiful dark purple red color, holding to the rim. The Tannat character is instantly recognizable on the nose – that weird cooked blueberry, nutmeg and hot tar blend. It carries over onto the palate, with the spice really shining, plenty of fruit, good acidity, and the alcohol quite noticeable, especially on the finish, surprising given the depth of fruit and that the wine only comes in at 14%. A wine that holds up to piquant flavors, and paired beautifully with chicken simmered in a vinegar, caper, pickle, anchovy and garlic sauce (trust me, it’s a killer dish).

Mendel Finca Remoto 2006, Altamira, Mendoza – Dark violet color tinged with red. Intense classic Malbec aromas of black plums, cinnamon stick and a touch of candied violets. Decent acidity, soft, sweet tannins, well-integrated oak. Very elegant, and, I gather, very difficult to find – thanks for the tasting go to Marcelo Rebole at the Park Hyatt, along with the next wine.

Bodega Chacra Barda 2008, Rio Negro, Patagonia – 100% Pinot Noir. Deep cherry red color. Raspberry jam and warm spices. Intense aroma, great acidity, soft, nearly non-existent tannins, minimally noticeable oak. Good length, though little other than acidity on the finish.