Carol Emmas reviews Argentina Wine Awards 2010

Published: 07 June, 2010

Argentina Wine Awards 2010, Trophy and Gold Medal Tasting
May 7, Gaucho, Piccadilly

Argentina Wine Awards 2010, Trophy and Gold Medal Tasting

May 7, Gaucho, Piccadilly

It all seems a distant picture overshadowed by the LIWF, but still seems worth talking about on many different levels. These gold medal winners were picked by 12 international Masters of Wine and have been whittled down from 640 wines to 44. Out of that 44 there were four whites, one rose, one dessert, 18 Malbecs. The remaining 20 were red blends and other single red varietals.

Apart from the glaringly obvious lack of whites there were other several things of note. Those were; the weight of the bottles which is now so knee-bucklingly noticeable against the lighter weight bottles we are very quickly becoming accustomed to. The heaviness of the wine, was also so apparent against increasingly restrained New World styles.

UK & Asia Manager at Wines of Argentina, Andrew Maidment said: "Yes, seeing the bottles next to each other here today is a stark reminder of the weight and size, but things are changing. Producers are beginning to realise big bottles aren't liked over here and are not cost efficient. They are also being told that we don't like big alcoholic wines, whether or not producers have listened to that will be reflected in newer vintages."

Tasting the whites, The Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontés, Salta 2009 displayed bananas, rose petals and tropical fruits on the nose and plenty of backbone and acidity on the palate (£7, lasbodegas.co.uk). Salentein Reserve Chardonnay, Mendoza 2009 was softly oaked, with buttery nose and a well-rounded finish (£10.99, lescaves.co.uk).
The Criod de Susana Balbo Malbec Rosé 2009, Mendoza had voluptuous raspberry ice-cream fruits on the nose and a more restricted, refreshing, well balanced palate (£8, lasbodegas.co.uk). In the under £10 category showing well was the Fincas Rewen Petit Verdot 2008,Mendoza, with its aromatic nose of Parma violets, herbs and blue fruits, and earthy, herbaceous palate (£7.99).

Soft and succulent was the Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2007, Mendoza, (£16.49, alliancewine.co.uk). The Pulenta Gran Malbec 2007, Mendoza (£21.95 fmvwines.com), was big in every sense, with its flavoursome, juice laden blue/black, dense fruits, this was one wine that took some serious muscle to lift the bottle.

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