Yesterday we were part of two Argentine tastings, the first, a Wines of Argentina event held at the Houses of Parliament by the British-Argentine All-Party Parliamentary Group and the Argentine Embassy, followed by Sky High - a celebration of high altitude wines at altitude, and the highest wine tasting in the country! This was run in conjunction with Time Out Magazine and Gaucho, offering slightly drizzly views over a darkened city with hearty Malbec and Malbec blends being served to a group of fanatical steak and wine fans, keen for a memorable view.The wines we showed at both tastings were from Salta, Argentina's highest winemaking region, standing at some substantial altitude above sea level. Our winery on show, Yachochuya, a satellite winery of The Rolland Collection and Michel Rolland himself, has the second highest vineyards in the whole country, standing at a magnificent 2035m. Up here there is more UV light so grapes ripen with more concentration of flavours through their generally thick (Malbec) skins. The wines produced in this region of the world offer a more restrained, elegant and concentrated style of wine in comparison to neighbouring Mendoza where flavours can often be more robust.
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| Bancroft's Rob and Michel Rolland's Maria ready to welcome the VIPs to taste in Parliament |
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| "Not bad" so thinks James Ceppi Di Lecco on the Yachochuya 2006 |
The Yachochuya is this estate's signature, grown on vines that have an average age of 60 years, it revels in complex aromas and flavours, with a firm grip on . The 2006 achieved a staggering 94 points from the wine advocate in 2008 with the accompanying review. Suffice to say she has grown into the bottle and is now tasting arguarbly even better...
VINTAGE 2006
WINE ADVOCATE – 94 PTS
Wine Advocate #180 – Dec 2008
The 2006 Yacochuya is a wine that number crunchers will despise (16% alcohol, 4.09pH) and that hedonists will go ga-ga over. Made from 100% Malbec and aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak, it offers up a veritable cocktail of prunes, plums, and even dates that leapfrogs from the glass. Full-bodied, fat, and succulent, to say that it has gobs of flavor is an understatement. Somewhere in this wine there is enough structure and baby fat to carry it through 2020. It's akin to getting a full-body massage through the mouth.
Wine Advocate #180 – Dec 2008
The 2006 Yacochuya is a wine that number crunchers will despise (16% alcohol, 4.09pH) and that hedonists will go ga-ga over. Made from 100% Malbec and aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak, it offers up a veritable cocktail of prunes, plums, and even dates that leapfrogs from the glass. Full-bodied, fat, and succulent, to say that it has gobs of flavor is an understatement. Somewhere in this wine there is enough structure and baby fat to carry it through 2020. It's akin to getting a full-body massage through the mouth.
Yacochuya’s little
brother, San Pedro de Yacochuya 2010 benefits from the same attentions and sorting
than its older. Ageing for a shorter period, he keeps its freshness and
delicacy to be drunk sooner. It is aged for only 12 months in comparaison in French oak barrels and a production level of 50,000 bottles. This is a blend of 85% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. This one achieved 91 points from the International Wine Cellar.
VINTAGE 2010
INTERNATIONAL WINE
CELLAR – 91 PTS
(mostly old-vines malbec; aged 14 months in new French oak): Bright
saturated ruby. Musky aromas of blackberry, violet, truffle and smoked meat;
reductive and rather syrah-like. Lush on entry, then smooth and wild in the
middle, with a saline character to its flavors of blackberry, cocoa powder and
nutty oak. Very broad and full but not heavy thanks to a lovely combination of
sweetness and supporting acidity. Classically dry, resounding finish shows
suave tannins and terrific length. This should be a crowd-pleaser.
Make mine a glass of #salta
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