2016 Crios Torrontes
Luscious peachy, apricot and tropical fruit aroma, but the wine is dry with a touch of peach on the end-palate. Acidity and minerality intertwined with a whisper of rose. A lively citric finish completes this wine. Pairs with a wide variety of light, salty and piquant foods. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED — BSE
WHO: Susana Balbo
WHAT: 100% Torrontés
WHERE: Salta and Uco Valley, Argentina
HOW MUCH: $13 (media sample)
2015 Crios Cabernet Sauvignon
Like Susana Balbo’s other wines, this wine is beautifully balanced — which is especially welcome because the wine is unpretentious and quite reasonably priced. It begins with a warm, red-currant aroma with baking spices. More red currants flow on the palate, with red plums and spices (from 9 months in French oak) toward the end. A dry wine, though, and a dry finish with light, nicely integrated tannins and acidity. The label notes say to pair it with chili, which we happened to be making that night: they were right! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED — BSE
WHO: Susana Balbo
WHAT: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
WHERE: Luán de Cuyo, Argentina
HOW MUCH: about $12 (media sample)