Dominio del Plata (Susana Balbo)
Barrel Fermented Valle De Uco Torrontes 2014
I don't know if it's because I had this after an incredibly disappointing Fendant but this is a beautiful Torrontés. The nose is all gorgeous jasmine, tropical fruit, honeysuckle and a touch of spice. It's the stuff of exotic dreams. Flavour wise the palate doesn't quite reach those dreamy heights but it matches nose for the most part so it's honest. There's a great balance here with a bright fresh acidity and a floral jasmine meets salty white grapefruit combination that lingers on the finish like goodnight kiss. All that is largely secondary because the texture is brilliant. It's full, luxurious, comforting and not the least bit heavy—think top-quality merino wool sweater. This is what good use of oak and barrel fermentation is supposed to do with wine, not prop-up some poor second rate juice by taking over with caramel sweetness and spice. In short this is a great gateway wine for Chard. and red wine lovers looking to expand their palates. — 9 years ago
Caves Orsat
Treize Etoiles Fendant
It's like white flower honey-kissed pears and herbal tea on the nose which is promising. But on the plate it's crisp dry and mildly appley you and peary like if you put some fruit in diluted lemonade for 15 minutes and served it. There's a bit of a discontent between the senses. It's cool climate with the crisp acidity on the finish but it's weird lacking that electric cool climate spark. The finish is short and the texture is lacking think P. Grigio in spite of it being petillant. It's not that it's flawed, it's just beige boring unremarkable. The fact that it's mildly sparkling is the most interesting thing about it but you can achieve similar results in a spritzer with a Grigio and some mineral water. — 9 years ago
Mike D
I'm a fan of light Pinots. I want that floral character, acidity and aromatics, not crushing tannin, high alcohol and jammy over extracted flavours. I've enjoyed Pinots from Leyda in the past as the proximity to the Pacific Ocean lends a genuine cool climate character to the wine, but this was disappointingly dilute without the depth.
The black cherries, bramble and warm soil are nice and hint at some good potential, but it's like someone added a shot of water to the glass which mutes the flavours and inexplicably accentuates the heat and tannin to feel bigger than they ought to be. It's Judy middle of the road Pinot and I know the region can deliver way better. — 8 years ago