Susana Balbo Signature Brioso Single Vineyard 2022  £32.50

SUSANA BALBO BRIOSO

Susana’s Signature wines capture her ultimate expression as a winemaker - creating bold wines with an artistic finesse that you never get tired of drinking. The wide range of styles in Susana’s Signature wines highlights the breadth of winemaking expertise Susana brings to the winery. Susana’s winemaking approach is to seamlessly apply her human touch and enhance (not mask) the grape’s character, preserving all elements of terroir.

A blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot coming from Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza).

Hand-harvested. Double selection process. Destemming. Fermentation at a maximum temperature of 31°C (88°F) with wild yeasts. Pump-overs and delestage three times a day. Extended maceration for 35 days after which it spends 15 months in new French oak barrels

This blend is characterised by its intense, brilliant ruby-red colour. Its nose offers aromas of black fruits, spice and light vegetal notes that are due to the two Cabernets. Meanwhile, the other grapes add texture and roundness to its mouth, where flavours of black fruits are followed by an excellent tension provided by its balanced natural acidity. It has an elegant, persistent finish and an exceptional ageing potential (up to 20 years).

Try with red meats, such as lamb, venison and baby goat. It also pairs well with white meats, like chicken, duck and rabbit.

93 Points (2020 vintage) Robert Parker

"The nose of the 2020 Brioso transports me directly to Agrelo and to a warmer year when tasting it next to other wines from cooler vintages in the Valle de Uco. It's therefore more classical, with the floral Luján de Cuyo aromas of violets and herbs from the varieties—52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 19% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. It achieved 14.5% alcohol and matured in new barriques for 15 months, which lent it abundant tannins and some oak aromas and flavors that are going to require some more time in bottle to be melted. 44,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2021.

Reviewed by Luis Gutiérrez