This is the season to celebrate – Christmas, New Years, long summer’s evenings… We’ve picked out some of our favourite top scoring wines from this year’s Annual Tasting to help you get that Christmas shopping sorted.
For the trendy socialite in your life: Cruzat Larrain, Brut Cuvee Reserve
Whether it’s your better looking sister, metrosexual brother or demanding daughter – there’s always someone who needs to have the latest ‘en vogue’ gift. And Cruzat Larrain has bags of star quality: a fab fizz from famed sparkling wine maker Pedro Rosell, it has citrus and mineral notes and persistent bubbles. Score: 87 Price:$90
For your talkative aunt: Angelica Zapata, Chardonnay Alta
This is one of the best chardonnays in Argentina and is sure to make anyone fall silent for at least a few minutes. With complex multilayers of fruit, citrus and buttery oak – this is a manly chardonnay and can stand up to rich flavors just as well as a red. Made by the well known Catena family. Score: 91 Price: $143
For the lady you really want to impress: Primus, Salentein
Whether it be your wife or your mistress, Pinot Noir is a seductive wine and Salentein’s Primus will seduce most palattes. This wine still reigns as supreme as one of Argentina’s best Pinot Noirs with its juicy red fruits and a delicate oak dusting the finish. Score: 90 Price: $225
For the traditionalist: Lindaflor Malbec, Monteviejo
Argentina is of course famous for its Malbecs and some friends would be pretty disappointed if they received anything but from Malbec country. Lindaflor is an exemplary Malbec, well integrated with an elegant body and a long lasting impression. This French owned winery sits in the stunning Valle de Uco. Score: 91 Price: $190
For your boss: Prestige, Carinae
You may not like him, but you ought to impress him – this is the ideal gift for your boss. There are some outstanding blends in Argentina and we had many in our tasting. One of our favourite boutique wineries came up trumps with its Bordeaux blend from Maipu. Lots of black cherry and smoky notes to linger over. Score: 93 Price: $220
For the oldie in your life: Afincado Tardio, Terrazas
Give the sherry a rest this year, and give the OAP in your life this fab late harvest Petit Manseng. A truly desirable sweet wine with lots of quince and honey as well as more refreshing aromas. Make sure you leave room after your Christmas dinner for this one! Score: 91 Price: $95
To see all our wines from the Wine Tasting 2011 visit www.wine-republic.com/wine/
