Tag Archives: Valle de Uco

Finca el Origen Malbec Reserva 2008

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The photo above is of the BBQ pit at Smitty’s in Lockhart, Texas, one of my absolute favorite BBQ joints. This fire sits practically in the middle of the hallway as you enter and the smell in this little room is heavenly. Put this place on your bucket list.

Image credit: jstorer via Flickr

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Tasting notes: Practically glowing red at the rim. Bright berries and plum on the nose, with a heavy aroma of wood smoke and ash, like in an old-school Texas BBQ joint. The wine is a bit simplistic on the palate, with spice-sprinkled red fruit. Medium-bodied, with dry tannins and a very satisfying sense of earth and stone on the finish.

Overall impression: At $10, this is VERY solid. B

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CORRECTION: The country of origin was originally mislabeled as Chile. It has been corrected to Argentina.

Finca El Portillo Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Mendoza

FincaElPortillo_SauvBlanc

Producer:  Bodegas Salentein

Grapes: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Appellation: Mendoza (Argentina), Valle de Uco

Vineyards: 100% estate vineyard Finca El Oasis. High elevation (3445 feet).  Alluvial soils. Night harvested.

Aging: 100% stainless steel

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price: I paid $8.49

My tasting notes:  The nose is steely, with citrusy aromas. The high elevation, night harvesting and stainless fermentation/aging all lead to a lively crispness in the mouth with good fruit that leans toward the tropical.  It has nice, lengthy finish as well.

Score: This has the crispness that I want in an everyday white. Not complex enough to be much more than that. But what can you expect for less than 9 bucks? B-/C+

Free association:  Makes me think of lemonade which makes me think of… “Lemonade – that cool refreshing drink” Eddie Murphy on Elvis Presley, from ‘Delirious’ (video)

Fun fact: The Valle de Uco is not named after a river, but a pre-Columbian Indian chief who introduced irrigation to the region. (from the World Atlas of Wine)

Finca El Portillo (photo by jaraya via Panoramio)
Finca El Portillo (photo by jaraya via Panoramio)