Source: WineSur
By: Ma. Soledad González
12.01.2010
As every year, Wine Spectator launched the list of the best wines of the world. Colomé, Achaval Ferrer, Durigutti, Trapiche and Norton are the Argentinian wineries that achieved to include their wines in this prestigious list this year.
According to Wine Spectator’s editors, “the major trend in 2010 was an increase in expensive, limited-production wines at one end of the spectrum and in large-volume, value brands at the other. Looking for values, wine lovers sought out less-familiar regions and grape varieties. In this year’s list, 14 countries are represented, and quality remains high, with an average score of 93 points. The average price per bottle is USD 48.”
The first places of the list were for Saxum James Berry Vineyard, Paso Robles 2007 (United States), Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella’s Garden 2008 (Australia), Peter Michael Chardonnay Sonoma County Ma Belle-Fille 2008 (United States), Revana, Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena 2007 (United States), Altamura, Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007 (United States), Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley (United States), Schild Shiraz Barossa 2008 (Australia), Fontodi, Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello 2007 (Italy), CARM Douro Reserva 2007 (Portugal) and Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape White (France).
The Argentinian wines
The Argentinian wines included in the list were: Bodega Colomé, Malbec Calchaquí Valley 2008 (66th place); Achával-Ferrer, Malbec Mendoza 2009 (68th place); Durigutti, Malbec Mendoza 2008 (74th place); Trapiche, Malbec Mendoza Viña Fausto Orellana de Escobar 2007 (72nd place) and Bodega Norton, Malbec Reserva 2007 (90th place).
In 2008, Bodega Colomé Malbec 2006 from the Clachaquí Valleys was in 38th place; Achával-Ferrer Malbec 2006, Mendoza Finca Altamira, was in 64th place; Altocedro Malbec Reserva 2006, La Consulta, was in 66th place and Luca Malbec 2007, Uco Valley, was in 82nd place.
Last year, Bodega Colomé Malbec Calchaquí Valley 2007 was in 32nd place and Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza 2007 was in 69th place.
The winemakers
“The whole staff at Colomé is proud that our wine Estate is recognized by this important magazine once again. It is a reward for our dedication and passion for wine and it shows the quality consistency in our job. This award also shows the potential of the Calchaquí Valleys for producing high quality wines,” stated in a press release Thibaut Delmotte, winemaker of the winery.
Marcelo Victoria, Sales Director at Achaval Ferrer, pointed out that “one is always glad to see that the press recognizes the work done. We know that we do not work for scores but consumers’ opinion and recognition are very important.” The wine Achával-Ferrer Malbec 2009 has a production of 6,000 cases at 25 dollars per bottle, according to the magazine.
“We are really pleased with the news. I think that it is a very big effort to achieve this outstanding wine, since it is in a very competitive segment (USD 15) and we need to become sharper to give the best quality,” said Hector Durigutti, who is the creator of this wine, together with his brother Pablo.
Daniel Pi, Trapiche’s Chief Winemaker, explained: “In 2003, when I started working in Trapiche, Wine Spectator considered that our winery’s wines were not so bright. Then, after a lot of hard work, some years later we did not expect that the same publication granted us so important recognition.”
Furthermore, Jorge Riccitelli, Winemaker from Bodegas Norton, maintained that Bodega Norton Malbec Reserva 2007 is a wine that has been getting very good scores among the critics and the consistency of the product, harvest after harvest, has been one of its main promoters.
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