The May meeting was presented by Julia Jenkins of Flagship wines. The St Albans shop has now gone, and Julia works with a loose coalition of wine buyers in the UK. Does plenty of work in Latin America and today she presented wines from the 3 main wine making countries – Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. A little factual nugget is that 40+ new grape varieties have been found in South America in the last decade or so. Something I will have to look into.
Most of these wines are not in the supermarkets, The Wine society or Majestic, and are mostly supplied to the on-trade. So you may have to search for them. The prices are a little indicative.
The Wines were:
Bodegas Urqo, Valle de Uco, Argentina 2024 – Sauvignon Blanc 12.5%, £14
Similar to a NZ SBm but these grape are harvested early and late, giving a good blend of acidity and maturity
Viña Salort, Canelones, Uruguay 2024 – Albarino 13.5%, £14.50
Albarino grown in Uruguay presents a more rounded character than Spanish, which I liked.
Adobe, Rapel Valley, Chile 2024 – Gewurztraminer 13%, £11.50
A lighter style of Gewurz compared to Alsace versions, still retaining the classic Gerurz character.
Norte Chico, Central Valley, Chile 2024 – Chadonnay 12.5%, £9.49
Some oak character, although not actually oaked! Straightforward balanced Chardonnay.
Los Haroldos Reserve, Valle de Uco, Argentina 2021 – Malbec 14.0%, £18.99
Very dark & full bodied, 10 months in oak. Excellent.
Dagaz El Camino, Colchagua, Chile 202? - 70/30 Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere 14.5%, £16.75
Again, very dark & full bodied, 10 months in oak. Excellent.
Los Tres Curas, Central Valley, Chile 2022 – Carmenere 12.5%, £9.50
Very tobacco, cedar on the nose, dark but light bodied. Not tannic. Nice.
Bresesti Pequenas Coleccion, Canelones, Uruguay 2021 – Tannat 13%, £19.75
Very little on the nose. On Oak. Very dark (again!). lighter bodied.
Not a duff one amongst them, and as a cheapskate
searcher for VFM I would go for the Los Tres Curas Carmenere as my choice.
