Just an octet of sips from the last few weeks….
Dante Rubino Extra Brut NV, Mendoza, Argentina – Blend of Pinot noir and Chardonnay with a touch of Semillon – light gold color, fine bubbles, orange creamsicle on the nose, moderately high acidity, medium bodied, creamy, orange peel, butter and vanilla, long finish. Quite good.
Graffigna Pinot Grigio Reserve 2010, San Juan, Argentina – for local PG, this is pretty impressive; light straw color with a faint steely tint at the edge; ripe pear on the nose, very fruit forward, with just a hint of a metallic note; on the palate, medium high acidity upfront, medium bodied, chalk, pear, green leaves, ever so slightly hot finish, but overall really well balanced.
Punto Final Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Casablanca Valley, Chile – light yellow in color, full blown on the nose with green bell pepper and grapefruit, on the palate, green bell pepper, grapefruit rind, fresh cut grass, plenty of acidity and length, medium bodied, smooth finish. Delicious wine.
Dirler Muscat Grand Cru Spiegel 1995, Alsace, France – medium gold color, holding to the rim; lovely honeycomb and floral nose with a touch of old yeast; medium-high acidity, medium bodied, floral, honeycomb and peach skin, long finish with a bit of petrol. Delightful, beautifully aged wine.
Bodega Putruele Finca Natalina Rosé Merlot 2010, San Juan, Argentina – Bright cherry red, slightly watery rim; red fruit and spice on the nose; high acidity, light bodied, touch of gas, hint of stemminess, juicy red fruit, spice, short to medium finish, slightly metallic. Good quaffing wine.
Lagarde Blanc de Noirs 2010, Mendoza, Argentina – Watermelon pink, clear rim; berry fruit, wet stone on the nose; dry, soft tannins, high acidity, bright berry fruit, minerals, hints of spice, medium length finish, all mineral. One of the most elegant rosés I’ve tried in Argentina.
Salentein Pinot Noir Reserve 2009, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina – deep red with violet touches, holding to the rim; packed full of cherry fruit on the nose with a hint of tobacco; medium bodied, moderate acidity, soft tannins, plenty of cherry fruit, a trifle astringent particularly on the finish, and a bit hot (14.5% alcohol). Good wine, but not my favorite Pinot from Argentina by any stretch.
Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2003, Rapel Valley, Chile – garnet red, fading to an orange-red at the rim, red fruit on the nose with a hint of graphite and dried tobacco, on the palate, medium bodied, forward fruit, high acidity, soft tannins, the tobacco flavor dominates over the red fruit and the graphite comes in on the finish along with noticeable alcohol. Good wine, but starting to fade.
