Four Argentine Wines among the Top 100 of Wine Spectator
The most influential American publication on consumption included four Argentine wines with more than 90 points, three from Mendoza and one from Salta. Last year only 2 were listed. Here, the complete list.
Each year, the editors of Wine Spectator investigate among the wines that they’ve evaluated in the previous 12 months and choose the most attractive ones for its Top 100.
In 2008, the publication evaluated more than 19,500 wines from all over the world in blind tastings. More than 5,300 of them received outstanding scores (90 points or more on a scale of 100 points). Then the editors reduced the list basing it on four criteria: quality (represented by the score); value (reflected in the price); availability (measured in production of cases or importation of cases); and a factor X which they call the “emotional” quality.
On the basis of these qualities they qualified four Argentine wines that obtained their location in the ranking according to the measurement of the different criteria. They are: Bodega Colomé Malbec 2006 from Valles Calchaquíes, 92 points, US$ 25 suggested price, placed at number 38; Achával-Ferrer Malbec 2006, from Altamira Estate in Mendoza, 96 points, US$ 112 suggested price, placed at number 64; Altocedro Malbec Reserva 2006, from the town of La Consulta, 92 points, US$ 30 suggested price, placed at number 66 and Luca Malbec 2007, Uco Valley, 92 points, US$ 35 suggested price, placed at number 82.
The news is good, since in 2007 only two Argentine wines appeared on the list, Catena Zapata Alta Malbec 2004, and Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva 2005, both from Mendoza, with 92 and 93 points respectively.
An Eye on Argentine Wines
The first of the Argentine located on the list is Colomé Malbec, from Valles Calchaquíes, 2006 harvest. This wine from Salta, located in the range of US$ 25, is produced from ancient vineyards (90 to 150 years old), and combined with grapes from younger estates located in Cafayate, Colomé and Arenal, at a considerable altitude. Colomé Estate Malbec is a blend of 85% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat. The first harvest, 2004, was launched in 2006, and was chosen among the best 100 wines of the year by Jancis Robinson and by Wine Spectator. The 2005 harvest received a gold medal in the Hyatt Wine Awards, from Mendoza.
Félix Schweizer, PR Manager of the winery and in charge of marketing shared that they feel very proud of this mention. “It’s the first time that we are in such a high rank, although it is not the first time that we are in the top 100. In addition, the 2006 harvest was very good for us. Our Amalaya (350,000 bottles) got 90 points in the last edition. We produce 170,000 bottles of the award-winning wine and we send it to 20 different countries. The greatest market is Argentina, but now we are growing very quickly in the United States, by 30%.
Finca Altamira 2006, from winemakers Achával - Ferrer, situated at number 64, originates from a vineyard of six hectares, rather ancient, with low production, 20 quintales (2000 kg) per hectare. Its winemaker, Santiago Achával, points out that, “What we like about this wine is that its identity is territorial, it is loyal to itself, every year you taste it and see that the expression of this stretch of land is coherent. And what we are looking for isn’t a typical Malbec, but rather a typical Finca Altamira.”
Finca Altamira’s production is of 9,500 bottles in its best years, at times less. Its primary destination is the United States, where the real price is under 110 dollars, around 85 dollars a bottle. It is a wine for storing; last year Jay Miller, from Wine Advocate, said that you can drink it until 2035.
Next we find Altocedro Malbec Reserva 2006 from the town of La Consulta. The winemaker from the firm, Karim Mussi, explains that it’s a Malbec cut with 10% Tempranillo, 100% grapes from La Consulta, that originate in 69 year old vineyards with very low yields, 65 quintales (6500 kg) per hectare. The wine spent 12 months aging in French oak barrels at the winery, and 8 months in storage. It had a traditional production process, with direct reception on the selection belt, with de-stemming and grain control, fermentation with indigenous yeasts at 82.4 degrees, and 15 days soaking after fermentation.
“It’s a wine with personality, we work with grapes from only one place, that leaves a rather pure trace of the land, and I would say that the choice of barrel also helps. They are toasted woods that go very well with Tempranillo and Malbec, and the other reason is to be very attentive to its production,” Mussi comments. The production is of 13,000 bottles per year. Around 90% of the production is sold in the United States. The winery produces 100,000 liters in total and has 5 wine lines, of which 89% are Malbec and 20% Tempranillo. Its classic line is Alto Cedro Año Cero (60,000 bottles).
Lastly we find Luca Malbec 2004, from Luca Wines (the brand that belongs to the Catena group). Its Syrah received 91 points in Wine Spectator in June of 2006, while the 2003 received 91 points in the October 2005 issue of the magazine. In addition the Luca Chardonnay 2003 received 89 points in that edition.
Alejandro Vigil commented that the Luca Malbec is a wine selected by Laura Catena, which small volumes at very high quality are produced. The grapes originate from old vineyards from small producers in Valle de Uco. The fermentation process is done in 500 liter tanks, as well as double selection of grapes and aging for 12 months in French oak barrels. Total Production: 7,000 cases. This wine is sold in the United States, in Argentina and is beginning to be commercialized in other markets. “It is a wine for storing that easily lasts with fresh fruits for 8 years” says Vigil and he points out that to be in the top 100 means that their effort in investments and research is on the right track.
Low Production
All the Argentine wines listed are of great quality, but low production, and therefore are placed relatively low on the top 100. Chile, on the other hand, obtained the first position with Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta, from Colchagua Valley, a winery of great volume. To not have competed in lines with greater volume is a disappointment for some Argentine wineries, as Chile was the great South American winner this year.
The Most Diverse List
Fourteen countries are represented on the list of Wine Spectator’s Top 100, making the 2008 list the most diverse in the history of the Top 100, which made its debut in 1988. The quality remains high, with an average score of 93 points, consistent with the two previous years.
“However, the weakness of the dollar since the beginning of the year has produced increases in prices, pushing up the average bottle price, which is $52 this year. We hope that you enjoy this list of emotional values, emerging stars and classic wines and that our Top 100 of 2008 takes you to explore the world of wine more profoundly,” they explain in the magazine.
To see the Top 100 list from WS click here
By: Gabriela Malizia / www.winesur.com
