Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum Finca El Retiro Torrontés 2022 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Torrontés from the high-altitude Cafayate Valley that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on wines from Argentina in the February 3, 2024 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate, a winery that was born as part of a generation of wineries at the end of the 20th century, during the transformation of the Argentine wine industry. During this time, the Salta wine industry was also re-converted, including the expansion of Cafayete wines. El Porvenir was founded by the Romero Marcuzzi family in 2000 and since 2013 has been led by Lucía Romero Marcuzzi, a vintner, entrepreneur, mother, and third-generation vineyard owner who was born and raised in Salta. Under Lucía's direction, this female-led, family-run project is rewriting the legend of Cafayate.

El Porvenir - which means "future" - embodies the paradigm of Cafayate wine - the fusion between innovation and great respect for the identity and unmistakable character of the terroir. The philosophy at El Porvenir is based on deep respect and love for terroir, with their wines a reflection of their terroir. With both the heart and mind firmly in the Cafayate Valley, El Porvenir wants to share their place with the world.

Cafayate is known for its stunning red rock formations. It is a small, isolated, and elevated valley that was home to the pre-Hispanic Diaguita-Calchaquí indigenous people and is located 180 km south of the city of Salta. With its unique characteristics and care of El Porvenir, Cafayete is able to produce high-quality and healthy grapes from this special, high-altitude valley to create iconic vintages, modern classics, and cutting-edge, innovative wines. The extreme desert climate, combined with poor soils, warm days and cool nights, very little rainfall, and plentiful sunlight means that it is easy for El Porvenir to practice integrated, sustainable, and organic viticulture. With vineyards situated between 1,750 and 2,500 metres above sea level, the broad thermal amplitude allows the grapes to become highly concentrated while retaining fresh acidity.

This 100% Torrontés was crafted using fruit grown at Finca El Retiro, El Porvenir's most established vineyard. It is situated in the heart of Cafayate, Salta, at the high-altitude of 1,650 metres above sea level, in the far north of Argentina. The vineyard at Finca El Retiro was planted in 1945 on soil that is deep and sandy, with the presence of minerals such as mica crystals. The Torrontés planted in this vineyard were trained using the pergola system, a vine-training system that is ideal for cultivating Torrontés. To craft this wine, it underwent a fairly long fermentation with selected yeast in stainless steel tanks, followed by several months of ageing on its lees.

The 2022 growing season in Salta didn't have any major climatic events, but did produce a late vintage. It was a cooler growing season, with yields at the usual quantities. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2022 Torrontés from Argentina is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

BODEGA EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE LABORUM FINCA EL RETIRO TORRONTÉS 2022 - Single vineyard, Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#489179) (XD) - $18.95
Screw cap. Fresh, medium-high intensity nose of floral, lemon citrus, grapefruit, and herbal aromas with a touch of thyme. On the dry, mid-weighted palate it has a very nicely textured mouthfeel with lovely floral, lemon citrus, thyme, grapefruit, lychee, apple, and herbal flavours supported by fresh, lemony, and zesty acidity. Leesy mineral notes arrive on the mid-palate and is joined by lemon citrus notes on the juicy and exceptionally long finish. Should continue to drink well over the next 3-4 years and is a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Bodega El Porvenir de Cafayate can be ordered through their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is this lovely Torrontés from the very high-altitude province of Salta in northern Argentina. A frequent visitor here in Ontario. this latest vintage arrived on shelves today as part of the March 19th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Familia Zuccardi and led today by the third generation of the family, winemaker Sebastian Zuccardi. Founded in 1963 when Sebastian's grandfather planted his first vines in Maipú, Mendoza, the Zuccardi family has kept growing and developing to become a leader in Argentine production. Sebastian inherited his father's determination and desire to strive for excellence and is globally recognized as an ambassador for Argentina's unique terroirs, most notably in the high elevation Uco Valley in southern Mendoza. The family's premium winery - Zuccardi Valle de Uco - has been named Best Vineyard in the World for three consecutive years - 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Zuccardi has several ranges of wines and this white wine is from their entry-level Serie A collection that features single varietal and distinct blends from selected vineyards located in the best parts of Mendoza and across Argentina. The Zuccardi Serie A range highlights the richness and diversity of the different micro-climates and soils of Argentina. The name "Serie A" comes from "Argentina Series" and is a way of expressing the most representative varieties from the best regions for each varietal and from selected vineyards along the Andes Mountains. In the winery, each batch is harvested separately at different times with the goal of achieving elegance and excellence in each wine.

Torrontés is Argentina's most widely planted white variety with more than 24,000 acres planted, representing 27% of all white wine varietals. Although most Torrontés is grown in Mendoza, a significant percentage (and the most interesting examples) are grown in the remote, northern province of Salta. Native to Argentina, DNA analysis shows that Torrontés formed after the spontaneous crossing of varietals Listán Prieto and Moscatel de Alexandria in Mendoza in the middle of the 18th century. Today, Torrontés Riojano is the most cultivated of the three varieties of Torrontés as it expresses the best qualities for fine wine production. Although it's original home is in Mendoza, Torrontés has found its true home to the north in the valleys of Rioja and Salta. Torrontés takes a long time to develop and ripen, thus benefitting from the long, northern summer, while the blazing sun at altitudes between 1,500 and 1,900 metres helps it develop concentration. Grown in rich clay soils, Torrontés tends to take longer to ripen, but preserves its volume and acidity, whereas Torrontés grown in sandier soils ripens faster and achieves good aromatic expression.

According to the tech sheet, the grapes for this Torrontés were grown in Cafayate, within the province of Salta, at the very high altitude of 1,800 metres (5900 feet) above sea level. The grapes were manually harvested and selected, followed by de-stemming and pressing. It was fermented with native yeasts and aged on its lees for 6 months.

Although the print edition of the VINTAGES catalogue specifies the 2020 vintage, it is, in fact, the 2021 vintage that arrived in stores. Let's see how this 2021 Torrontés is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS 2021 - IP Salta, Argentina (#389262) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. The perfumed nose offers medium-high intensity aromatics of muscat characters with lychee, ripe lemon citrus, and floral notes joining the fray. The impressively concentrated, medium-full bodied palate is dry with ripe lemon citrus, muscat, floral, and leesy flavours with touches of herbal. Nicely textured mouthfeel with juicy acidity. Leesy mineral with lemon citrus notes linger on the long finish. Chill well and enjoy this recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Zuccardi are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - The Bacchus Group.

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Piattelli Reserve Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

To continue the recent string of lovely Argentine wines, tonight's wine review is another lovely Malbec that arrived at the LCBO over the long weekend and is featured as a "Smart Buy" in the September 4th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Crafted by Piattelli Vineyards, their story begins in the 1940s, when the Giovanni Piattelli family immigrated from Tuscany to Mendoza and brought along with them a winemaking legacy, tradition, and passion. In the late 1990s, American businessman Jon Malinski was visiting Argentina on the hunt for lumber to import into the U.S.A. By chance, Jon met the Piattelli family and found incredible vineyards and wine, amazing people, beautiful landscapes, and couldn't bear the thought of leaving the country. Soon thereafter, the Malinski and Piattelli families came together to form Piattelli Vineyards.

Today, Piattelli Vineyards continues to be family-owned and managed. At the heart of their operations is the winery that opened in 2002 in the town of Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza). In 2009, they expanded into Cafayete (Salta) - where this wine is from - with vineyards and a brand new gravity flow winery. A 4th generation winemaker and daughter of a famous Mendozan winemaker, Valeria Antolin is the Principal Winemaker at Piattelli. She has been with Piattelli since the beginning and leads all winemaking decisions at both facilities.

Sustainability is a core value at Piattelli Vineyards, believing that what is good for the environment is also good for the wine. They are committed to producing wines that reflect their landscape and climate, while preserving natural resources.

Although Malbec is widely cultivated in Argentina, this particular Malbec is from the northern region of Salta, which is home to not only some of Argentina's highest vineyards, but also the world's, ranging in elevation from 1,530 to 3,111 metres (5,000 to 10,200 feet) above sea level. The climate in Salta is arid and dry, with high average temperatures, a wide daily thermal amplitude (i.e. large diurnal temperature range), and intense solar radiation enhanced by the altitude and long summers.

The system of mountain valleys in northern Argentina are called the "Calchaquí Valleys" and were formed 5 million years ago, stretching 270 km within the region. This Malbec was grown in Cafayate Valley in Salta at an elevation of 1,700 metres (5,600 feet) on soils that are mostly free-draining chalky loam, and in some areas quite rocky. Since Cafayate has a desert climate with very low rainfall and humidity, the vines rely on meltwater from the Andes to keep them hydrated, while the dry soils cause stress in the vines, leading to fewer, but more concentrated grapes rich in flavours. Let's see how this high-altitude Malbec from Cafayate is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

PIATTELLI RESERVE MALBEC 2019 - Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#452029) (XD) - $16.95
100% Malbec that was aged for 8 months in American and French oak barrels. The perfumed, medium-high intensity nose has complex aromas of dark berry, blackberry, inky, violet, meaty, reductive, and spice aromas with savoury, wet earth undertones. It's medium-full bodied on the ripe palate with pleasing dark berry, blackberry, violet, and dark plum flavours accented with wood spices. It has fresh, balanced acidity and smooth, fine-grained tannins with a subtle, fine chalky texture. Savoury, earthy, and woody with blackberry and violets lingering on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines from Piattelli Vineyards can be ordered through their Agent - Imprese Inc. or Kinetic Brands.

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Wines of Argentina - Aug. 8, 2020 LCBO VINTAGES Wine Reviews

Over the Civic Holiday long weekend, I had a great opportunity - thanks to Wines of Argentina! - to taste through and explore many lovely Argentine wines that will be arriving at the LCBO as part of the August 8 LCBO VINTAGES Release that features wines from Argentina.

In fact, there are more than 30 Argentine wines coming through LCBO VINTAGES this summer and fall - and I will be writing about nearly all of these over the coming weeks - but we'll begin our look at wines from Argentina with these 7 wines.

With 895 wineries, Argentina is the 5th largest wine producer globally and is 7th most in cultivated surface. Of course, Malbec is Argentina's flagship grape that we all know and love and is usually the first grape that comes to mind when we think of Argentine wine. However, only 22% (44,000 hectares) of Argentine vineyards are devoted to Malbec. Bonarda is currently Argentina's 2nd most planted grape with 18,000 hectares planted to this varietal. However, this was always not the case as Bonarda was the most planted grape in Argentina until the end of the last century. The 3rd most widely planted grape is Cabernet Sauvignon - and not far behind Bonarda in acreage - has been extensively researched in recent years. Not surprisingly, Cabernet Sauvignon expresses different profiles depending on where its grown, and in Argentina the trend has been to grown this varietal in colder, higher altitude zones. These three red grapes combine to make up the majority of Argentina's wine production, making Argentina very much a red wine producing nation.

However, with 36,000 hectares of vines planted to white grape varietals, Argentina does produce some white wines. Argentina has many old vineyards in perfect condition, but winemakers are also innovating by reconditioning and reviving old vineyards, as well as experimenting with earlier harvests that result in wines with higher acidity and lower alcohol. Winemakers are also exploring new regions for white wines such as at very high altitude sites, in poor, high drainage, calcareous soils, and different micro-climates within the desert regions of the Andes mountains and in Oceanic, coastal vineyards. Another area of experimentation is fermentation vessels such as using amphoras, spheres, and pressurized barrel fermenters. Torrontés Riojano - found only in Argentina - is the most widely planted white varietal at nearly 8,000 hectares, making it the country's signature white wine. The other white varietal of prominence is Chardonnay with almost 6,000 hectares planted. Sauvignon Blanc has seen explosive growth over the last 14 years to become the 3rd most planted white varietal. The final grape of note is Semillón - with 650 hectares planted - and it develops well in cool, moderate climates such as those found in the Uco Valley (Mendoza) and Rio Negro Upper Valley (Patagonia). The white wine below is a delightful blend of three of these varietals.

One of the most interesting aspects of winegrowing in Argentina is the landscape. Grapes are grown from 22° to 45° southern latitude along a strip that follows the Andes mountain range, and heights reaching up to an astounding 3,300 metres above sea level - which are among the highest in the world.

The Cuyo, in central western Argentina, contains 95% of the country's total acreage planted to vines. Located in the Cuyo are the wine regions of La Rioja, San Juan, and the heart of Argentine wine production - Mendoza. The highest peaks of the Andes are found in Mendoza, thus acting as a barrier to the humid winds from the Pacific Ocean. The altitude, continental climate, heterogeneity of soils, and snowmelt are key contributors to the production of excellent wines in the region. Mendoza is divided into 5 sub-regions - Valle de Uco (Tunuyán, Tupungato, and San Carlos), Primera Zone (Luján de Cuyo and Maipú), Northern Oasis (Lavalle and Las Heras), the East (San Martín, Rivadavia, Junín, Santa Rosa and La Paz), and the South (San Rafael, Malargüe and General Alvear). Moreover, new research has led to the identification of micro-regions within these terroirs, with new Geographical Indications (GIs) being certified as contributing distinctive characteristics to their wines.

Located north of Cuyo are the wine regions of Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, and Catamarca, collectively known as The North. It is here that some of the world's highest-altitude vineyards are located. Viticultural tradition in the region can be traced back to the 18th century and primarily located in the Calchaquí Valleys - a system of mountains that formed 5 million years ago and stretch 270 km. The town of Cafayate, in Salta, is home to 60% all of vineyards in The North. The wines from this region are strongly influenced by the terroir and high altitude, with its arid and dry climate, very high average temperatures and diurnal temperature variation, long growing season, and sandy-loam soils. The Cabernet Sauvignon reviewed below is a great example from Cafayate.

The Patagonia and Atlantic Region is south of Cuyo and forms a large area that is flanked by low mountains to the west and extends to the ocean in the east. Five regions encompass the area - Neuquén is located to the southwest of La Pampa, while Río Negro is to the south and borders both regions. Newer projects have regions further to the south in Chubut, and towards the ocean to the east in Chapadmalal (Buenos Aires). It is interesting to note that the city of Buenos Aires has a wine consumption rate per capita that is 2nd only to Paris.

Wine reviews are provided below and all of these lovely wines will be in stores by August 8th. You will also be able to order them online at LCBO.com where Wines of Argentina is sponsoring an amazing contest to Win the Ultimate Backyard Makeover - a $10,000 grand prize that includes a Home Depot Gift Card and four premium cuts of 100% Argentine beef valued at $600. To enter this contest, simply spend at least $100 on LCBO.com - easily achieved by adding a few of these lovely Argentine wines to your shopping cart. This contest closes August 15th at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Tasting Notes:

SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE WHITE BLEND 2018 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#558734) (XD) - $21.95
This blend of 35% Semillón, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, and 30% Torrontés was grown at 1,050 metres above sea level. It has a medium-high intensity, ripe nose of asparagus and grassy tones with some yellow floral, passion fruit, and lime citrus with touches of mineral adding complexity. It's medium+ bodied on the palate with very good concentration and zesty, limey acidity. Pleasing citrus, herbal, asparagus flavours with a fine, underlying minerality. It has a nice, chalky texture on the mid-palate while the finish is long and zesty. Agent: Profile Wine Group. Score: 90+ pts

LA MASCOTA ROSÉ 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#15182) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. This 100% Malbec Rosé has a medium+ intensity nose offering bright red berry, cherry, and strawberry aromas with touches of citrus, all of which come through nicely on the ripe red berry and citrus palate with some spice and floral notes adding interest to the flavour profile. It's somewhat fleshy on the mid-palate with bracing acidity. Nicely dry overall with subtle stony mineral and saline characters on the long, fresh finish. Very impressive. Agent: Univins and Spirits. Score: 89 pts

LUIGI BOSCA TERROIR LOS MIRADORES MALBEC 2017 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#568899) (XD) - $34.95
This single vineyard Malbec from vines averaging only 10 years old was grown at 1,150 metres above sea level. It has a clean, fresh, elegant, fragrant, and ripe nose of spice, stony mineral, violet, blackberry, and touches of herb. The spicy, medium bodied palate is ripe with very nice replays and sweet, elegant tannins and flavours of dark berry, blackberry, and violet accented with spice and stony minerals. It's juicy on the mid-palate with fresh acidity. Long, stony, spicy finish with subtle oak nuances. Lovely! Agent: FWM Canada. Score: 91 pts

LA MASCOTA MALBEC 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#555805) (XD) - $16.95
This Malbec was grown in deep, stony soils and aged for 12 months in new French and American oak barrels. The medium intensity nose has dark berry, black cherry, and white pepper spice aromas mingling with stony mineral and touches of plum, floral, and oak. It is medium-full bodied on the palate with dark berry, black cherry, white pepper spice, and oak influenced flavours. The smooth, rounded tannins have a slightly chalky texture, while acids are well-balanced. Very good length on the spicy, dark berry, and cocoa scented finish. A nice wine that I'd like to see with a little less oak. Agent: Univins and Spirits. Score: 88+ pts

LA CELIA RESERVA MALBEC/CABERNET FRANC 2017 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#618280) (XD) - $14.95
This co-fermented blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Cabernet Franc has a medium intensity nose that leads with woody, herbal, and green pepper tones backed by some red and dark currant aromas and subtle spiciness. It is medium+ bodied with herbal, woody, currant, and peppery spice flavours with well-integrated, subtly grippy, crunchy tannins. Acids are fresh, while the finish length is very good. Agent: Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits. Score: 87 pts

EL ESTECO 1947 OLD VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina (#15082) (XD) - $24.95
From pergola-trained vines whose origins can be traced back to 1947, and raised entirely in cement egg with natural yeasts. Fresh, aromatic nose has herbaceous, paprika, olive, and minty notes with some cassis, red and black fruits and some minerals. It is full bodied on the complex palate with peppery, spice, paprika, olive, cassis, currant, herbal, and plum flavours with some earthiness supported by fresh acidity. Smooth, refined tannins have some grip on the back palate, while the long finish is earthy and stony with olive notes. Agent: Dandurand. Score: 90+ pts

LA POSTA ESTELA ARMANDO BONARDA 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#261586) (XD) - $15.95
From 50+ year old vines located in the Guaymallén region. Ripe and fruity nose with raspberry, blueberry, and spice. It's medium+ bodied on the fruity palate with raspberry, red berry and spice flavours balanced with fresh acidity and smooth, rounded tannins. The fruit and spice notes are joined by some chocolate notes on the finish, with very good length. Agent: Noble Estates Wine & Spirits. Score: 88 pts

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