Susana Balbo Signature Barrel Fermented Torrontes
Country: Argentina Region: Mendoza
Varietal: Torrontes
Category: White Wine Style: Dry
Producer: Susana Balbo
Description:
Susana Balbo is Argentina’s first and best-known female winemaker, establishing her own winery in 1999 on principles of quality, innovation and sustainability. She’s been called the ‘Queen of Torrontés’ for her work creating world-class versions of the grape in the 1980s and pioneering the country’s white-wine scene. She was awarded the International Wine Challenge Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
The Uco Valley in Mendoza has hosted vineyards for at least a century, but it’s only in recent years that it’s seen a stratospheric rise in reputation. It turns out great whites – Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Torrontés. All of Susan Balbo’s wineries are high-altitude, in vineyards set more than 1,000 metres above sea level. Torrontés is Argentina's great white grape — aromatic, unique, and utterly captivating when grown at altitude in the Salta region.
This Torrontés was the first of this style. Produced with grapes from Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco in Mendoza, it fermented in French oak, where it remained for 4 months. Sublime and elegant, it reflects the delicate floral aromas of this unique variety with exotic fruit notes, hints of fresh lime and wild honey.
Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous’ wine critic, describes it as “Everything a Torrontés wants to be when it grows up”.
Tasting Notes:
The wine reveals a radiant golden hue, occasionally pale yellow, enhanced by brilliant reflections. Particularly expressive and complex, the nose unveils a rich palette of tropical fruits such as lychee, melon and mango. These mingle with refreshing citrus notes of lemon zest and grapefruit, harmoniously complemented by delicate floral touches of rose and verbena, along with subtle nuances of wild honey and vanilla. Full and harmonious, the palate seduces with its silky, creamy texture. Endowed with a rich body and beautiful acidic tension, this wine offers a lingering finish, marked by a minerality reminiscent of wet stone, lemony flavours and floral notes.
Food Pairings: This white wine pairs wonderfully with fish and shellfish. Its aromatic richness also makes it the ideal companion for the spicy and fragrant dishes of Asian cuisines, particularly Indian, Thai and Chinese. It further enhances hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Manchego.
