Exodus to the moon: 6 wines to carry with!

Which are the six wines you would take with you if you left the Earth?

Every time we look at the sky, we contemplate the stars and especially reverence the moon. It is her who manages our tides and calendar, who inspires the nights and symbolizes the love for the poets.

As an admirer of our satellite, I wonder when we will be inhabiting it, when the time will come so it is possible to change our address, not in terms of country or continent, but a change of “planet”. What will be our future as humanity in a phase where we could stop being terrestrials to be truly selenites?

Now, beyond the sci-fi images and the assumptions of the future, this introduction is just an excuse for getting on board in an amusing way to the best bottles in the history of the wine-making in Argentina.

Only by thinking about these labels, the mouth begins to water and the senses become more acute, the sensory memory turns on all the lights and the fantasy begins.

What six 750 ml bottle box would you take to another planet if it was the last one you could carry (and drink) throughout the rest of your life?

Even though it is an arbitrarily subjective aspect, this article proposes what the author considers the six most impressive and unforgettable wines that inhabit our Argentine lands.

1) Finca Altamira, by Achaval-Ferrer

Roberto Cipresso was the one who possibly discovered Argentina’s most outstanding “Cru”, a gem, a true diamond of the terroir, in the late 90s.

The centenarian root-stock vines and the hands of this great winemaker managed to produce the first world-class Argentinian wine. An outstanding product, purple, of sharp acidity. A wine that opened the doors of Argentina’s high-end products to the world.

To recommend old vintages in Argentina (except 1998) is a subjective arena where various personal nuances appear, although nature always presents variations, diversity tends to have more to do with oenological decisions than with climatological situations.

To my personal taste, 2002 and 2009 are two unmistakable references, but the reader can consider any 5-year-old bottle and find a work of art.

Finca Altamira, by Achával-Ferrer

2) Chacra 32, by Chacra

Piero Incisa della Rocchetta discovered his place in the world in the Argentine Patagonia. There, under organic and biodynamic criteria he produced specimens of Pinot Noir that have no point of comparison. A wine that from the end of the map shows an unusual category and a refinement that few can encourage to refute.

Chacra, which is the name that describes the ranches or farms in the region and the title of this piece, 32, which is the year the vines were planted.

In Argentina, the variability from one vintage to another is quite tenuous but if I had to choose one, and take it to outer space, I would keep the 2015 vintage.

Chacra 32

3) Nico, by Cobos (or Volturno)

A distinctive one. Heavyweight class, robust, uniform global quality, also infallible.

In this case, I venture to choose the 2006 harvest of this great interpreter of Mendoza poetry. Cabernet takes over Malbec. Perdriel, which today, about to open the door to 2020, already represents an identifiable classic.

Paul Hobbs, Andrea Marchiori, and Luis Barraud honor Don Nico Marchiori, who planted the vines that gave rise to this fantastic wine. This label can now be found as Cobos Volturno. According to people close to the winery, brands such as Vega Sicilia U-Nico in Spain and also Catena in Argentina opposed to the name of the product, so the winery decided to change for the middle name of Andrea’s father, “Volturno”.

Luis Barraud, Andrea Marchiori and Paul Hobbs

4) White Stones, by Catena Zapata

When we think of Catena and its various icons, we tend to think of its red wines, noble and elegant.

I remember perfectly the impact of the first time I tasted a bottle of Estiva Reservada, robust and silky wine, more than a caress to the palate, it evokes a real massage.

However, in this imaginary six-bottle box, I cannot leave out a great example of white wine, and in this case, the most impressive one I have ever tasted in Argentine lands. White Stones is the name of a small vineyard parcel from “Adrianna Vineyard” in Gualtallary, Uco Valley. Its name refers to the composition of the soil that has abundant presence of white oval stones.

This Chardonnay is hard to be explained in words; it combines elements that are really unusual. Minerality, curious notes of Brie cheese, peaches and jasmines in a composition that is really one of a kind. 

White Stones, by Catena Zapata

5) 33 de Dávalos, by Tacuil Winery

Logically, a wine from the North of Argentina could not be missing. A land where wines are born at incomparable heights in this planet. Three hundred thousand years old soils, full of colors and a terroir that is far from everything that one may have seen or expected.

33 of Dávalos is usually thick and spiced, earthy and tasty, complex and above all, different.

Surprisingly, they do not have a minute of oak aging. Neither this nor almost all of their wines; just a few cases but only utilized for micro-oxygenation.

If the task is about imagining, I lean slightly by 2013 and 2015 vintages. Salta is where, according to those who know, the whole world will stare at very soon.

Tacuil, in Salta

6) Noemia, by Noemia Winery

Last but not least for that, this list is completed by the icon from Noemia, a wine named after its winery.

Hans Vinding Diers is undoubtedly one of the men who have made a notable difference in their work in our southern lands, achieving products of exemplary elegance, rich and fluid textures and complexity over the years.

I emphasize the elegance of the 2011 harvest, deep and sophisticated. If you find today one of these gems in a wine shop, do not hesitate to make it part of your wine cellar despite the price, which I guarantee will not be any bargain.

We talk about a Malbec that is Argentinean and Patagonian even though it seems to be from another part of the world.

Noemia Vineyard

BONUS TRACK!  Vinos de la Luz – Iluminado – Malbec 2015

As is inevitable, we always want to add an additional guest to the big events. In this case, we will have to put it on hold, since it is an upcoming release of Vinos de la Luz.

This tier is a journey through the most important and significant geographical regions of the world. The group has ventures in Spain (Ribera del Duero), Italy (Montalcino), the United States (Santa Bárbara), Georgia and, of course, Uco Valley, Argentina.

The impressive example of Argentina has just got a world-class award: 50 Best for the prestigious Decanter.

Very concentrated, purplish violet with bluish reflections, complex and deep nose, full of black fruit, mouth with a thick and creamy texture. It totally honors the 97 points it got. A piece of art that conquers the taste buds of the world from Altamira!

Iluminado by Vinos de la Luz, 97 points Decanter.

So…

I pack the bottles carefully for my lunar box and I take a seat to get ready for a trip that will transcend the horizons (sensory horizons) known by mankind.

Before we say goodbye, I encourage you to do the same as me and pick your favorite wines to make your lunar box. Cheers!