A spate of wet vintages puts vintners in Argentina to the test.
Recent vintages in Argentina have proved challenging to the country’s vintners and grape growers, with rain, frost and hail plaguing 2016, 2015 and 2014 to varying degrees. These are anomalous conditions in the usually desert like climate that characterizes this South American nation’s major wine growing regions, which are centered on the Mendoza district, located at the base of the Andes. The culprits include climate change and, in the case of 2016, a particularly strong El Niño effect.
For consumers, this means careful shopping is necessary. Still, there are many good wines that offer distinctive flavors, especially from the 2013 vintage. Since my last report (“Argentine Evolution,” Dec. 31, 2015 – Jan. 15, 2016), I have tasted more than 425 wines from Argentina; just over 100 of them earn outstanding scores of 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale, with the vast majority of those made from Malbec, Argentina’s leading red grape. (A free alphabetical list of scores and prices for all wines tasted is available at www.winespectator.com/123116.)
The sole wine in this report to rate in the classic range of 95 to 100 points is the Viña Cobos Malbec La Consulta Bramare Rebon Vineyard 2013 (95 points, $95). Suave and rich-tasting, with red berry, sandalwood, chestnut and plum tart flavors, it is from California-based vintner Paul Hobbs, who has played an instrumental role in putting Argentine Malbec on the world stage. In 1989, Hobbs began consulting for Argentinian wine pioneer Nicolás Catena, who brought in Hobbs to help him modernize winemaking at his Catena Zapata estate. Hobbs soon became devoted to making great Malbec, and he has been a driving force in Argentina ever since.
Denne historien er fra December 31, 2016-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
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Denne historien er fra December 31, 2016-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Shipwrecked Champagne Hoard Discovered Near Sweden
It sometimes feels like wine has a habit of falling into the briny deep. On July 23, Polish wreck diver and underwater photographer Tomasz Stachura announced that he and his Baltictech team had discovered the wreck of a 19th-century sailing ship near Öland, an island off the coast of Sweden—and it was crammed with bottles of Champagne and mineral water.
Openings: The Latest in Napa Tasting
Several new tasting options have opened in Napa Valley, particularly in downtown Napa where wineries are launching satellite tasting rooms. Standing out from the crowd means trying new approaches. Here are some highlights:
War in Middle East Affects Vintners
The 2024 harvest at Israel’s Dalton Winery was punctuated by nonstop rocket and drone attacks launched from just across the border in Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon.
Wineries Sue Napa County in Federal Court
Three Napa wineries filed a joint lawsuit in federal court in September alleging that Napa County officials violated their constitutional rights.
Savoring Persimmon Season
For many, persimmons are an enigma ingredient. Chef David Nayfeld of Award of Excellence-winning Che Fico in San Francisco and its Best of Award of Excellence sibling dangling persimmons off the tree with a stick at a childhood friend's house before realizing what they were. \"I remember his parents saying, 'Hey, don't hit the persimmons, those are food!\"\"
Tasting Plate: A German Six-Pack
Though it boasts Western Europe’s largest population and biggest economy, Germany is nowhere near the cheese juggernaut its neighbors Switzerland and France are. That said, the Germans love their fine cheeses, and they do turn out some excellent ones, fortunately including more than a handful that are currently available here in the U.S.
Gigondas Blanc Est Arrivé!
Ask winemakers in the Southern Rhône to name the most exciting white grape in their region and you will hear a growing number of them say \"Clairette.\"
Kistler's DARKER SIDE
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ups the ante at the house that Chardonnay built
THE SPLENDOR OF CHAMPAGNE
THE REGION'S LEADING PRODUCERS DELIVER HIGH QUALITY AMID A DIVERSE RANGE OF STYLES
MICHAEL BATTERBERRY: 1932-2010 Gourmet, Journalist, Gentleman
Before Food Network, Top Chef or Yelp ... before the term “foodie\" ... before tomatoes were heirloom and sushi was fast food... back when fancy restaurants were always French... Michael Batterberry and his wife, Ariane, were working to celebrate and elevate the status of American chefs and international cuisine. Julie Mautner, Food Arts' former executive editor, looks at the life and legacy of her late mentor, affectionately known as The Bat.
