Bienvenido a Argentina y Chile
Not the new kids on the block anymore, Chile and Argentina are producing very good wines at various price points. James Benjamin swears by them. So do all Argentinians. With good reason. Though it pays to be particular. A whiz-bang, throw-them-in-the-cart approach will bear bad fruit. But choose carefully and you've got a cellar's worth. One problem: I've had trouble finding some of the more expensive ones.
Caro
Rothschild & Catena is a joint venture of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and Nicolas Catena. Good pedigree. Good wine.
Catena Chardonnay
Great, everday Chard. Comes without a lot of oak or butter, but rounded, balanced, complex, hints of flowers and citrus. The finish is fresh yet persistent, with bright, crisp acidity. Claro.
Catena Cabernet Sauvignon
Rich, concentrated and sophisticated. 19 months Taransaud barrel-aging, whatever that means.
Catena Malbec
"Appealing yet timid aromas of black fruits are found in the nose of the 2003 Catena Malbec. There are 25,000 cases of this fresh, focused wine. Redolent with red as well as black fruits and violets, its personality is medium-bodied and expressive."
- Pierre Rovani. The Wine Advocate
Catena Alta
Top of the line Malbec goodness. WS 93 pts. Concentrated, complex.
Clos de la Siete
Another winner from rockstar consultant Michel Rolland. Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. From the Tunuyán Valley, south of the city of Mendoza. Big and unfiltered, it will benefit from a stint in the cellar.
Crios
Dominio del Plata "Crios de Susana Balbo" Malbec scores 90 pts from WA.
Domaine Paul Brono
Coming soon... to a high-end store near you. In the Andean foothills near Santiago, Paul Pontallier, director of Château Margaux, and Bruno Prats, retired proprietor of Château Cos d'Estournel, are developing a 48-acre vineyard in an old apricot and walnut orchard; they call it Viña Aquitania. With Winemaker Felix de Solminihac, a third-generation Chilean of French descent, they are growing cabernet sauvignon, merlot and carmenère, and plan to plant petit verdot and syrah. The new wine will be called Domaine Paul Bruno.
Domus Aurea
Brainchild of veteran Chilean Winemaker Ignacio Recabarren. Supposedly VFG.
Available at WineChateau.com and 67 Wine in NYC.
Gimenez Riili Torrontés
Fresh Argentinian white. Grapefruit, green apple, melon and roses.
Fin del Mundo
Patagonian award winner. Bodega Del Fin del Mundo Special Blend.
Finca 8
Malbec from Mendoza. Imported by Paul Hobbs.
Luca Syrah
Laura Catena's new breed of Argentine wines: small quantities, artisan quality, cutting-edge technology. Try Wine.com.
Manta Sauvignon Blanc
From the Central Valley, Chile. A zesty, citrussy, possibly too bright white. You decide. At $8 a bottle, you can't go too wrong. Available at Astor Wines.
Santa Ema 2001 Catalina Rapel Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. This is a solidly built version with raspberry, boysenberry and currant fruit coursing along ripe, sweet tannins and powered by chocolate and toast notes. Round, rich, powerful finish. WS 90 points. (Available at Whole Foods, Napa Cabs)
Santa Rita Triple C
Another Chilean saint. Not cheap (around $50). A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère. WE 91, WS 90.
Seña
Well-bred, for sure, the offspring of Mondavi and Chile's Viña Errazuriz, of Viña Errazuriz. (The name is Spanish for distinguishing mark or personal signature). A blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere, it's a Chilean dude in a Bordeaux suit. Extended barrel aging mean soft tannins and a rich, expressive wine. Wine Spectator says: "plush yet sophisticated, and the structure is finely grained."
Torrontes
This is a cool Argentinian wine, because it's an original. No one is quite sure where the grape came from, and there are actually three related varieties that go under the same name. Tired of same old sauvignon blancs? Well, look no further. Think Viognier but a bit crisper. Think bargain. Plata, one of our faves is about twelve beans.
Zolo
Mendoza, Argentina. Try the bargain Malbec and crisp sauvignon blanc.
With approximately 200,000 hectares under vine, Argentina is the fifth largest wine producer in the world after France, Italy, Spain and the USA. Argentina has approximately 2000 wine producers but less than 10% of these companies export to international markets. Planning a visit? Check out the Argentina and Chile wine country.
