Notes:
Las Bodegas is the UK’s leading specialist importer of Argentine wines and has an unrivalled range from leading winemakers including Susana Balbo and Mauricio Lorca. Argentina offers a unique proposition to any on-trade establishment seeking to provide its clientele with genuinely interesting wines. This is why we turn to Laurie to supply Dunell's.
1. Altivo Pinot Grigio 2008 - Finca Eugenio Bustos, Uco Valley, Mendoza
A lovely clean and fresh Pinot Grigio full ofl zesty citrus and grapefruit. Nutty and floral undertones with a hint of spice. Very very easy drinking! Great value too.
2. Altivo Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - Finca Eugenio Bustos, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Light and refreshing with ripe citrus character and grassy overtones. Highly enjoyable by itself and very well matched to fish, pasta and salad dishes. Extremely good value.
3. Pasion 4 Chardonnay Chenin Blanc 2007 - RJ Vinedos, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
The wine has a brilliant golden yellow colour with green shades and steely tones. Exquisite fruit expression, with aromas of banana, apple, grapefruit; also, notes of rue and fresh green grass just cut, provided by its exceptional terroir. Clean and lighter style of Chardonnay due to zingy chenin fruit. An interesting but sellable blend.
4. Lorca Fantasia Torrontés 2008 - Bodega Mauricio Lorca, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
Nice floral tones on the nose and palate leading to a rich, clean long finish. Excellent dryness and would be lovely with a Thai Green Curry!
5. Altivo Malbec Rosé 2008 - Finca Eugenio Bustos, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Vibrant pink in colour with fresh and delicate aromas of cherries, red berries and white roses. Made from selected and hand-picked vineyards at the foothills of the Andes at an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level. Finishes very dry.
6. Altivo Shiraz 2006 - Finca Eugenio Bustos, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Deep spice aromas (including black truffle) laced with red berry and plum flavours. Good concentration. Dusty tannins emerge on the moderate finish. Yes!
7. Altivo Malbec 2007 - Finca Eugenio Bustos, Uco Valley, Mendoza
This Malbec is intense violet red in colour with aromas of plums and cherries. The pleasant smooth flavour makes the Malbec equally at home with or without food. Good. Reminded us of Strawberry Jam Tarts from our childhoods! Very easy drinking and elegant.
8. Pasion 4 Malbec 2007 - RJ Vinedos, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
Lovely, pure chocolate and cherry nose, with a touch of kirsch and blueberry aromatic, and a touch of cedar. The palate has a lovely life and smoothness, with great blackberry fruit is very composed and smooth, with warmth. A little star.
9. Lorca Fantasia Malbec 2008 - Bodega Mauricio Lorca, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
This wine is a bit more 'farmyardy' and rustic on the nose but gives you a huge hit of blackcurrant/liquorice on the palate. Very clean and particularly well balanced. Even better than the Pasion 4. Lovely.
10. Gouguenheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - Valle Escondido, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza
This wine reminded us of the smell you get when you sharpen a pencil! Displays lovely creamy red and black fruits and drinks beautifully. Impressed. This is a stylish wine that meets every expectation - rich and powerful.
11. Urano Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - Eral Bravo, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
A thumping nose of ripe red and black fruits. Really creamy and viscous. Very very good!
12. Crios Syrah Boyarda 2006 - Dominio Del Plata, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
Despite its lovely presentation, beautiful nose of spices and berries and nice hints of tobacco the palate, this wine was slightly sickly. OK. Robert Parker awarded this wine 90 points.
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Thank you Laurie. This was a fantastic tasting and the wines were very well received by all of our team. We are very much looking forward to stocking many of these and expand our popular Argentine range.