Above: Piattelli Vineyards Cafayate, image courtesy of the winery.

While winter is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere, those in the Southern Hemisphere are basking in the glow of summer. And, with the reverse seasons, grapes are presently growing in wine producing countries such as Chile and Argentina, which will eventually become the first vintage of the 2021 calendar year. These two countries are both important and unique for their respective climates, terrain and growing conditions, which lend themselves to producing world-class wines.

I recently had the opportunity to taste through a selection of wines from Argentina, which provided me with a broad diversity of drinking options. They spanned the gamut from north to south, with a Torrontes from the high altitude (5600ft) of Cafayate, a Malbec blend from Mendoza’s Uco Valley and a Pinot Noir from Patagonia, one of the southern-most winemaking regions in the world. This selection of wines reflected the unique and varied climates that make up the wide range of wine growing regions of the country.

Situated in Argentina’s northern-most wine region, Cafayate prides itself as being the highest wine-making region in the world. The dry, arid climate offers up a significant quantity of sunlight, permitting the grapes to ripen fully, while the cool nights retain acidity in the grapes. Among the wineries located here, Piattelli Vineyards was founded in the 1990s. With facilities in two locaations, Alejandro Nesman serves as Piattelli’s Lead Winemaker in Cafayate.

With a much lengthier tenure in the country, Bodega Norton celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2020 (see story). Founded in 1895, the winery was established in Mendoza, Argentina. Named a Top 10 South American winemaker by Decanter magazine, David Bonomi has held the post as Chief Winemaker since 2014, and is only the 3rd winemaker at the winery in the past 50 years, maintaining its heritage and legacy.

Located at the southern tip of South America, in Neuquén, at 39º South Latitude, Familia Schroeder was launched in 2001 by Herman Heinz Teodoro Schroeder, the son of pioneering German immigrants. Working in concert with his children, the family has sought to transform a desert area into vineyards.

TASTING NOTES

Piattelli Vineyards Reserve Torrontés 2019, Cafayate, Argentina, $15.99
Twenty percent of this wine was aged for two months in French oak. On the nose, it offers up aromas of peach and spice, while the refreshing, dry palate shows flavors of nectarine and mango, with medium+ acidity, medium body, and long length.

Familia Schroeder Saurus Select Pinot Noir 2018, Patagonia, Argentina, $18.99
This wine displays notes of cherries, floral and cinnamon on the nose. It has high acidity, with medium body, and notes of cherries, spice, peppery, with hint of cocoa in finish, culminating in long length. Nearly half (40%) of the wine was aged for nine months in new French oak barrels, the balance in stainless steel.

Bodega Norton Lote Negro Unique Edition 2015, Uco Valley Mendoza, Argentina, $38.99
This blend of 65% Malbec and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon leads with aromas of blackbery and blueberry, along with spice and wood. The dry palate, displays medium acidity, full body, dusty tannins, with ripe, elegant fruit and long length. While showing well now, it Ideally needs a few years time in the cellar to age and evolve.