May 29, 2019 |
UK critic Tim Atkin highlights various wines from Susana Balbo Wines as exemplars of the continued evolution of Argentine vitiviniculture in his 2019 annual report.
Atkin starts by lauding the transformation of Argentine wine: ¨In less than a decade, Argentina has experienced a remarkable transformation that stands comparison with that of any other country… Argentina has moved from being a country that made mostly international style wines at the top end to one that dares to be itself, pushing boundaries and embracing diversity.¨
One notable example is the increasing quality and complexity of white wines, including our native Torrontés varietal and innovative white blends. Atkin notes, ¨styles have shifted dramatically in the last 15 years towards freshness and minerality… the identification of cooler sites that are ideally suited to growing white grapes has been a vital part of the process.¨
Atkin awarded our Susana Balbo Signature White Blend 2018 95 points and observes that it is ¨firmly established as one of Argentina’s best white blends after only four editions.¨
Atkin also awarded our Susana Balbo Signature Barrel-Fermented Torrontés 2018 94 points, noting ¨Torrontés doesn’t get much better than this barrel-fermented marvel from Paraje Altamira. Sappy, tangy and stony, it has lovely struck match aromas, abundant lime and grapefruit flavours and a chalky bite.¨
Susana Balbo, nicknamed the ¨Queen of Torrontés¨, emphasizes in the report: “We have enormous potential for white wines in this country. It’s time we were seen a top white wine producer.”
At the same time, Argentina´s reds continue to progress remarkably: ¨ The reds were always good, but they too have improved to an impressive degree, becoming increasingly elegant, refreshing and well balanced. ¨
Our reds are emblematic of this trend, with Atkin noting of our Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2017, ¨Susana Balbo’s reds are on a dramatic upward curve in quality right now, as demonstrated by this subtle, scented, beautifully defined blend of Malbec with 6% Cabernet Sauvignon.¨ He awarded the wine 94 points.
Our BenMarco Expresivo 2017 was awarded 96 points and named among the Best Red Blends of the report. ¨ ´Elegance´ is the aim of this cuvée of Malbec with 20% Cabernet Franc, according to Edy Del Popolo, and it certainly achieves it. Subtle, aromatic and leafy, with tangy minerality, a sheen of scented oak, polished tannins and a long, fine, satisfying finish.¨
Our Nosotros Single Vineyard Nomade 2015, on the report´s list of Best Malbecs, earned 95 points. ¨Serious, intense and layered, with subtle reduction, stony minerality and amazing concentration, it’s meaty, scented and built to last. ¨
In total, 16 of our wines were awarded 90+ points. The full list of scores is below:
