Winemaker Notes
"The lush cassis and raspberry fruit is surrounded by cocoa, spice and toast notes. The fruit really pumps through the finish, offset by a mineral note that adds further dimension. Elegant and well put together. Drink now through 2008."
-Wine Spectator
A classic Cabernet Sauvignon that can compete with the best from around the world this wine has an intense red/purple color and an enjoyable, complex nose that is reminiscent of berries, spice, cedar and chocolate. The nose carries though to the palate, delivering rich, full texture and berry-spicy-cedar favors. It has a well-balanced finish with a lingering, pleasing after taste.
The grapes come primarily from the Asti and Doña Elsa Estate, situated in Rama Caída, San Rafael, Mendoza, aroung 760 meters/2493 feet above sea level. It is an ideal climate for the Cabernet Sauvignon grape because of the warm days and cool nights that are typical of the area. The soil is of sandy calcareous composition and alluvial origins. Picked by hand, the grapes go through classical crushing with periodic pump-overs, fermentation and maceration on skins for three weeks. The wine was aged for 12 months on 90% French and 10% American barrels.
The legacy continued with Enzo Bianchi, his son, and Valentin “Tincho” Bianchi, his grandson –renowned enologists that moved forward with the founder’s work with just as much dedication until their winery was placed among the most prestigious in the country and around the world. For 80 years –and 4 generations – the values of a family who has embedded their name in Argentine winemaking have remained intact.
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!