Graffigna Centenario Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
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Suggested food are sweetbread, onion and pepper kebabs with pear puree and red wine and thyme reduction, stuffed chicken breast, grilled aubergines and curry cream.
In 1870 Santiago Graffigna founded one of the oldest vineyards in Argentina.
At just 12 years old, Santiago, an Italian boy, embarked into unknown Argentina to help his uncle, to do what had never been done before, cultivate the vine in San Juan Valley.
Thanks to his relentless entrepreneurial spirit and vision, Santiago Graffigna founded one of the oldest vineyards in Argentina and achieved his goal of making world-class wines. To the fruit of this work he put his own name, Graffigna, as a symbol of his pride and worthy representative of his quality.
Today, 150 years after embarking on his adventure, we continue to honor his vision through complex wines that transmit the true expression of each variety, with deep aromas, flavors and great character.
Argentina of course is heralded for its Malbecs. But in the last two decades Cabernet Sauvignon has been drawing increased attention from winemakers there, and is now the third most planted variety. It is grown in the Mendoza region in the Andean foothills, especially in Maipú and Luján de Cuyo, at altitudes between 2300 and 3100 feet. Here the climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters. It is very dry and sometimes quite windy, with runoff from the snow-capped Andes providing irrigation. These Argentinian Cabernets offer dark fruit, spice notes, full body and often a voluptuous style.
Another source within Mendoza is the higher altitude Uco Valley, at 3300 to 5000 feet. Up at this level grapes ripen more slowly, despite the bright sun. But that enables them to develop bright acidity levels, giving the wines a fresh quality to go with intense fruit flavors. Another source of good Cabernet Sauvignon in Argentina is Cafayate, in the Calchaquí Valley. North of Mendoza, these vineyards are even higher, at about 5700 feet! These Cabernets carry notes of spice, herbs and menthol to go with dark fruit. Like those from Uco Valley, they show concentration and great vibrancy.
A few producers to look for are Catena, Viña Cobos, Pulenta and Altocedro. Salud!