One of the most important US magazines selected 54 Argentinian wines among the Top Values. They were chosen after wine tastings performed during the last six months. Moreover, all the chosen wines have scored more than 87 points.The magazine Wine Spectator published the Top Values from Argentina and from other parts of the world. “Want high-scoring wines that pack a great price-to-quality punch? Browse the categories below to find the best value wines we’ve tasted in the past six months, along with complete tasting notes,” points out the article. The 54 chosen wines have been tasted during the last months and have scored more than 87 points.
One of the first ones is Cruz Malbec Luján de Cuyo Andina 2006, which achieved 91 points. According to the magazine, this is an excellent expression of Malbec achieved by the winemaker Álvaro Espinoza and the owners of Chile’s Veramonte winery.
Then, the following wines with same score were Bodegas Tahuan Malbec Argentina Siesta 2007 -which, according to James Molesworth, is a USD 24 wine very well-focused, fresh and impressive-, Bodega Colomé Malbec Calchaquí Valley 2008 and Norton Privada Mendoza 2007.
Bodega Colomé said that the harvest 2007 was also among Wine Spectator`s Top 100. According to James Molesworth, the chosen wine is considered a “smart buy” to drink now through 2011. Currently, it is sold in Argentina and exported to twenty markets, such as United States, Switzerland, Great Britain and Germany. The annual production is 130,000 bottles and Malbec comes from two winery`s vineyards: Colomé and Arenal, near Fayogasta.
Furthermore, Bodega Norton Privada Mendoza 2007, from Norton, is a wine for export (USD 25) and, according to the journalist, it has “an ambitious style with a long finish; this is a blend made of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now through 2011.”
With 90 points, Durigutti Malbec Mendoza 2008 (USD 15) is selected by the magazine since it has “a lush style and a long finish that lets all the fruit hang nicely.” 60% of wines made by Durigutti are exported to United States, while the remaining 40% is exported to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Uruguay. Scores are very important for wineries, since according to Hector Durigutti “thanks to scores, last year we increased our sales by 150% in United States.”
The following wine in the list is Lamadrid Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Reserve 2007, which retail price is USD 17. According to Molesworth, this is a “lush and opulent wine” and only 500 cases have been made.
Moreover, other wines with 90 points are: Norton Malbec Mendoza Reserva 2007, Cruz Malbec Luján de Cuyo Andina 2007, Lamadrid Malbec Mendoza Gran Reserva 2006, Bodegas Tahuan Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Siesta 2007, Viñedos Urraca Malbec Agrelo 2008 (Viñedos Urraca), NQN Viñedos de la Patagonia Malbec Neuquén Colección Patagonia Universe 2006 and Piattelli Trinitá Grand Reserve Mendoza 2007.
From the Patagonian winery NQN, its Export Manager, Santiago Bernasconi, pointed out that the three main markets for Colección NQN Malbec are Canada, United States and Brazil. “This wine comes from selected plots in our estate La Papay in San Patricio del Chañar. This wine has very good concentration, complexity and structure,” highlighted Bernasconi, who also added that “in Canada and United States it is very important to achieve these scores.”
Furthermore, Dan Haugen from Piattelli Vineyards explained that “often, consumers struggle differentiating between the many bottles on the retail shelf. So they look to wine critics to vet the wines and help them make a good buying decision. There are many ‘rating’ magazines, but two of the popular periodicals in the USA are Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. The national recognition of these two magazines increases the ‘perceived’ quality of the ratings. Due to the consumer acceptance of these magazines, the consumer feels comfortable with their buying decision.”
“As a result of the many high ratings Piattelli has earned, we have seen key market growth rates over 50% year over year. Some of the wines that received these high ratings were sold out immediately,” concluded Haugen.
Written by Laura Saieg for Winesur.com
Translation: Ana Tagua
Source: http://www.winesur.com/top-news/argentinas-top-values
