Looking for a unique/good Argentian or Chilean wine (or brut) to bring to a tasting party. I don't know enough about these wines to buy on my own, would love some recs.

Price: $20-$50 range

In the past I thought the Robert de Schlumberger Brut (made with fruit from Argentina) was quite decent for 20.00. Unless you were looking for an Argentine brute, in which case I have a friend in LA named Hernan who will pretty much travel anywhere for a free wine tasting.

The Catena wines always seem to perform.
The Casa Concha series from Concho y Toro are good buys also.

Happy hunting.

Hard to go wrong with any of the wines from Bodegas Weinert (Argentina), imo. Very reasonably-priced, too.

I've had good experiences with Luigi Bosca. For $15, its a solid cabernet.

The Caro from Catena/Rothschild around $35 drinks very nicely.

Best,

Mike

We carry them in OR, and they are distribution by Strange Wines in CA. The whole range of Benegas wines are very good, and some of the Gouguenheim and NQN wines are nice, too. I'm normally not a huge fan of Argentine wines, but these are a step up.

I will put a big stamp of approval on the Cabernet Sauvignon from BenMarco. It is made by the husband and wife team of Susana Balbo and Pedro Marchevsky. This stuff is rather remarkable for 20.00.

Could try the '04 Antiyal... a blend of Cab, Carmenere and Syrah I believe. Was an interesting wine... fun to throw a Carmenere-based wine in the mix every now and then. If I remember correctly was in the $45-$50 range.

For a very unique Cabernet, I would suggest Argentina's Lucca, about $20. Very interesting-more herbal even "green" than the standard California Cab Sauvignon.

An even more unique, although perhaps tougher to find, wine is the Domus Aurae from Chile. Somewhat like the Lucca, but with fascinating eucalyptus notes and lots of interesting unique odors. Tastes like nothing else. About $40.

I was going to mention this, as well. About 40% Carmenere, 30-30% Cab-Syrah, all organic farming. Delicious, and a bit unusual ($45 in these parts).

The Malbecs from Achaval-Ferrer are pretty stunning wines. The single vineyard ones run close to $100, but they make a fabulous multi-vineyard blend called 'Quimera' that is killer stuff for about $40.

I have also really been enjoying the wines from Matetic Vyds in the San Antonio appellation of Chile. The wines are labeled EQ (short for Equilibrio); the Sauv Blanc is juicy and crisp, similar to the NZ style; the Pinot is crisp and elegant, with a bit of smoke; my favorite, though, is the Syrah, which could pass for a top-tier Crozes-Hermitage.

Cheers!

2004 Almaviva is a Cab/Carmenere from Chile that will impress the crowd.

I am a retailer here in Portland and I got to go to dinner with the rep from Pinnacle and they have some great wines that sell from about $11 up to the Benegas Lynch Meritage 2002 that will sell for $50 that will give any of the Cal $80 and above a run for the money. It has tremendous depth and concentration.

Some good Malbecs from Argentina I've tried have been by Catena, Clos de los Siete, Ben Marco, Salentein and Altos las Hornigas. Those can all be had for $20 or less.

But if you'd like to bring something different, try a Bonarda. The ones I've had from La Posta del Vinarero have been pretty good.


Cheers,
: ) Shoma

Any recs for a WHITE Wine or other bruts/bubblies from Argentina or Chile? I figure since everyone else will be bringing various reds to this party I'd bring something different.

Thanks as always!

2003 Catena Alta Chardonnay
2006 Dona Isidora Riesling from Cousino-Macul
2006 Crios (Susana Balbo) Torrontes
2006 Santa Ana Reserve Viognier
2006 Colomé Torrontés