As terrific as it is to have new names in wine to sample, it’s important to have some standbys. When it comes to wines from Argentina, Trapiche is one of the names I have come to rely on. Regardless of price point they consistently bring a quality wine to market that offers bang for the buck. Today I’ll look at the current vintage of Bonarda from their Broquel line.
Trapiche Broquel 2009 Bonarda is a single vineyard effort. The fruit was sourced at the Santa Rosa Vineyard which is within the winery’s estate in Mendoza. This vineyard sits at an elevation o 3,000 feet. The fruit was hand harvested. After sorting and destemming it was macerated and fermented in small concrete vats for approximately 25 days. Barrel aging took place over 12 months in a combination of new French and American oak. This wine is available nationally and most often sells for right around $15.
Deep, dark plum aromas flow with conviction from the nose of this Bonarda. The palate is substantial in weight, loaded with black and purple fruits. Raspberries, cherries, plums and blueberries are all present. Hints of smoked meat are present as well as copious quantities of spice. Vanilla and sour blackberry flavors emerge on the finish which has above average length. Excellent acidity balances the hefty palate and bold fruits. This wine is a natural partner for a particularly wide array of foods. It’s also quite enjoyable on its own. This is one of many well priced, wines from Trapiche that deliver consistent value and quality.
Argentina has long been one of my favorite countries to look towards for wine. They’ve shown over time that there are a wide array of offerings being made in divergent styles and at many different price levels. Right around $10, which I think of as entry level, is where I jumped in when I was first drinking Argentine wines. To this day it’s a category that fascinates me. When I find a wine that speaks to me in that price range its very satisfying. Today I’ll look at an example from