TNs from Argentina and Chile

A few of us decided to get together to taste some wines from Argentina and Chile last night. I don't sample wines from these areas much at all, but if the Catena Zapata Nicolas is any indication, there is potential to find some tasty treats.

Argentina:

2001 Achaval-Ferrer Quimera Mendoza. 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec, 22% Merlot. Inky, opaque purple color. The nose is clean and pure at first, with blackberry and plum fruits, and then later folding in hints of tar, earth, powdered blueberry and balsamic elements. In the mouth, it is medium to full-bodied, with luxuriant plum, cassis and mineral flavors. It does seem to narrow at the back of the palate a bit and the finish is moderately abrupt, but the overall profile is one of a wine with a lot of excellent material in need of a few more years in the cellar.

1999 Bodega Catena Zapata Nicolas Catena Zapata Mendoza. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Malbec. This wine was the class of the evening, sporting a superb nose of sweet blackberry, black currants, scorched earth, cloves and mulled wine. It is velvety, luscious and totally seamless in the mouth and holds a graceful and balanced line throughout. It has a great juicy quality to it, as well, with warm soft fruit and caramel flavors. Tannins are ripe and round and nicely integrated. It ends with a long, satisfying finish sporting some dark chocolate notes.

2002 Bodegas Caro (Barons de Rothschild/Catena) Caro Mendoza. Another Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec blend. The exact percentages are not provided, but it is usually 65-75% Cabernet. This wine displays a nose of soft plum, raspberry, and toast. In the mouth, it has a fairly open-knit texture, with ripe, chewy, gobby, warm red fruits that have a nice gulpable appeal. It is plush and not particularly acidic, with some drying tannins hanging around on the finish.

Chile:

2003 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor Puente Alto. I was pleasantly surprised by the 2003 edition of this wine I’ve never been taken with in the past. It displays plenty of roasted warm fruits, mocha and a touch of smoky menthol woodiness on the nose. In the mouth, its lush fruit is draped over a large frame and supported by big but not chunky tannins. Some alcohol does seem to me to poke out a bit. The tannins clamp down on the dry finish, which sports meaty, plummy roasted fruit and a strong note of espresso over some toasty oak elements. Give this some time.

Michael

Michael, did you recently source these wines in Maryland? Im surprised at how late vintage they are, especially the Quimera (they are now out with their 2004 vintage).

Great notes, thanks for sharing.

I, too, am happy to read these tasting notes, as I have the Don Melchor and the Nicolas Z and the acheval in my cellar. Looks like nice drinking ahead! Thanks.

South American wiunes are very interesting to me. They seem to have unique, quirky character. The Luca (another Catena family wine) I drank last night was certainly very unique. Very green, minty, bell pepper. Strange-I didn't like the nose very much, but I actually liked the palette.

Alejandro, have you had this one?

Brian, Ive tasted all the Luca wines and greatly enjoy them for the most part. IMO, the Luca Beso de Dante blend is one of the best, along with their Malbec. Im less fond of their Cabernet Sauvignon. Their Chardonnay is also quite impressive, although its in line with the cut with a knife CA style.