(2021) Only 2,600 bottles of this orange wine from a vineyard planted in 1945 were produced, light orange in colour and explosively different on the nose: masses of smoky, herbal and skinny aromas, seeds and flowers somewhere in there too. A really arresting palate too - bone-dry with searing lemon pith acidity, but bursting with sweet, ripe orangey fruit too, peach and nectarine touches, and once again that salinity in the long finish. Made in concrete eggs. No UK retail listing at time of review.
(2021) These 60-year-old vines have been identified amongst a plot of pergola-trained Torrontés, now harvested separately in the early hours of the morning. Is it a red or is it a rosé? From the very deep pink colour it could be either, and indeed fermentation begins with whole berries, then the juice is separated and fermentation continues of juice only, with wild yeasts. Warming, subtle, chestnut, cranberry and sweet earth aromas, then a juicy and vibrant palate, firmly in the red fruit camp of raspberry and redcurrant, but some real grip from firm tannins and acidity, both tensioning the picture and giving this a keen, incisive finish. No UK retail listing at time of review.
(2016) Pure, high perfume, lots of flowers, and almost jasmine like fragrance, with fresh citrus and fresh, crunchy apple. The palate is bone dry, with a sweeping citrus juiciness but lemon rind and pith too, giving those dry, very fresh characters, then it turns quite grippy, a bit of phenolic grip, though still juicy and tangy.
(2011) >From vineyards at 1,700 metres altitude, this has a gorgeous floral lift, with some herbs and some almost geranium like fragrance over the black fruit base. This very expressive Malbec continues on the palate with some meaty tones, the tight, endive and liquorice tannins adding a vital edge and the sweet fruit canoodling with the acidity to delightful effect in the long, sinewy finish. A fabulous buy at the offer price with immediate drinking appeal.
(2010) There's a touch of gold to this pale yellow wine, and a nose that's only gently floral and herbal, and much less expressive than many examples of this grape. There's a touch of tangerine skin and some lemony notes. On the palate this has a bit of phenolic grip, the pithy bite of citrus and plenty of acidity keeping it crisp and fresh, if fairly simple. Seems rather too high a price for the content of the bottle in the final analysis.
(2008) Elegant nose of quite delicate lemon fruit, with little notes of jasmine and tangerine. A powerful wine, with a pithy, lemon and grapefruit dryness. Nuances of a riper,more peachy fruit before acidity kicks in.
(2008) Matured with a touch of oak barrel and has a delicate nectarine and floral fragrance, with hints of exotic Turkish delight and incense. Nicely-weighted wine, with really good, concentrated, intense fruit.
(2008) Haunting nose, with a gentle suggestion of honey and spices, and a soft, peach down fruit quality. On the palate this is beautifully tempered, brimming with bright oranges and lemons fruit. Gorgeous stuff, and for me probably the best Torrontés in this line-up.
(2008) >From the Cafayate Valley, fragrant, jasmine and delicate, blossom-scented wine, with a soft, downy background of peach skins. Lychee and pineapple notes, with verve and finesse.