South American Fever Tasting
@Bin 604 Wine Sellers
The Wines:
1. Montes Merlot 2001, (Chile) $9.99
Chile’s finest value-oriented winery also makes world-class premium wines. This ‘01 Merlot, displaying spicy, plummy fruit, is The Bin’s best deal in Merlot, offering an excellent quality-to-price ratio.
2. Alamos Bonarda 2001, (Argentina) $10.99
Originally from Lombardy where it rarely fully ripens, Bonarda has supplanted Malbec as Argentina’s most widely planted variety because it does so well there. It’s a more rustic version of Malbec with a distinct red currant flavor.
3. Elsa Malbec 2001, (Argentina) $7.99
This bargain Malbec is an excellent introduction to what this variety is about.
4. Altos Las Hormigas Malbec 2001, (Argentina) $10.99
Altos delivers an impressive QPR (quality-to-price ratio) with its mouth-filling, plummy fruit and spicy flavors.
5. Crios de Susana Balbo Syrah/Bonarda 2001, (Argentina) $13.99
A terrific blend from the top female winemaker in Argentina.
6. Crios de Susana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, (Argentina) $14.99
One of the best Cabernets you can buy under $15. It’s loaded with spicy oak, red cherries, and black currants.
7. El Felino Malbec 2001, (Argentina) $14.99
A creation of star California winemaker, Paul Hobbs, one of the first Americans to consult in South America, this Malbec is a more elegant rendition, with a soft, smooth, approachable personality.
8. Catena Cabernet Sauvignon “Agrelo Vineyards” 2000, (Argentina) $19.99
From Argentina’s #1 winemaking family, this Cabernet is splendidly balanced, with layered flavors, a supple mid-palate, and a lengthy aftertaste.
9. Catena Malbec 2001, (Argentina) $23.99
Huge, smoky, spicy black fruits are packed into a well-proportioned body.
10. Mapema 2000, (Argentina) $31.99
A Bordeaux-style blend of 40% Cabernet, 30% Malbec, and 30% Merlot.
11. Bramare Malbec 1999, (Argentina) $37.99
Paul Hobbs’ (see El Felino above) big bruiser of a Malbec. It can be cellared for 10+ years.
12. Almaviva 1999, (Chile) $74.99
Mouton Rothschild’s collaboration with Concha y Toro is better than Opus One at half the price.
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