2007 Alta Vista Premium, Chacras de Coria
Mendoza, Arg- Color: White
- Name: Alta Vista Premium
- Vineyard: Chacras de Coria
- Type: Torrontes
- Origin: Mendoza, Arg
- Year: 2007
- Price: $20.00
- Rating: 4.7
- Pocho's Pick
- Review:
Exuberant with intense aromas and vivacious flavors. A wine unlike anything you’ve had before; it excites the senses with notes of roses, peach and honeysuckle on the bouquet and pure, bright fruit flavors that finish crisp and dry.
The best white wine that I had on my recent trip to Argentina I had on the first day at Cabaña Las Lilas restaurant in the hip Puerto Madera area of Buenos Aires: Alta Vista Torrontes. And it kept popping up on the trip as I tasted it two more times (including at the winery with the 05) and loved it each time. “Aromatic” is a way that Torrontes frequently gets described but perfumed might be more accurate. White peach, honeysuckle blossom, perhaps even lychee conspire in an hugely rich and expressive aroma that is not for the faint of heart. The wine has crisp acidity and is totally dry (2g residual sugar) despite the vortex of aromas. While this wine is a little bit hard to find in the US, an able substitute is the Santa Julia Torrontes, which has wider availability (Whole Foods) can be found for as low as $6. Pair with Asian foods or try it as an aperitif. Either way, a torrent of flavor will be yours!
- Comments: Treat your palate to something new. Torrontes has become the white wine grape of Argentina. It’s a case of the pupil surpassing the master.
Alta Vista is one of the largest family-owned wineries in Argentina. The d’Aulan Family’s mission is to illustrate the very best expression of the different Argentine terroirs.
They have done groundbreaking work with terroir and varietal management, comparing different vineyard terroirs and the unique characteristics they impart to the wines.
They were the first Argentinean winery to produce vineyard designated wines.
Although they are known for their Malbecs, Alta Vista also owns a vineyard in Cafayate in the northern Argentinean region of Salta where the Torrontes grape is grown with great success.
Alta Vista was one of the first to invest in Torrontes vineyards in this now famous area.
Some of the world's highest vineyards are located in Cafayete at altitudes up to 2000 meters above sea level! The region is also remarkable for its unique microclimate and excellent drainage and is recognized as the best place in the world to grow Torrontes.
Everything in the winemaking process is done with the intention of capturing the character of the Cafayete terroir and the Torrontes grape.
After macerating on the skins, the Torrontes is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is prevented to conserve the natural grape acidity. Additionally, the wine never touches oak so the flavors retain their purity and intensity.
This charming wine is a delight to drink right away, but put a few bottles away for a year or so and see what happens!
Torrontes makes a great accompaniment to Asian cuisine, especially Thai dishes.