Tasting Argentinian Wines at WineStyles, Columbia, SC.

Every Thursday from 5 to 8 PM, WineStyles shop on Garners Ferry Road in Columbia hosts a walk around tasting. This evening was easily the stormiest in Columbia going back a couple of years. It was raining so hard, there was no thought of even running out to a car for over an hour. These are value wines, meant to be enjoyed immediately. Because of the weather, we all sipped as slowly as humanly possible, while reading every label and shelf talker in the store. If you are going to be stranded during a thunder storm, what better to do than taste wine?

• 2009 Bodegas Bianchi Malbec Finca Los Primos 86 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, San Rafael

  Another very serviceable Malbec from Argentina. Nothing special, but nothing flawed. Might be a touch heavier in mouth feel than usual. Fruit forward, but only to a point, not overpowering. Decent mid palate. Blueberry and blackberry, backed up with appropriate acid, and medium tannins. Not much oak influence. Nice job integrating the alcohol. Some of thosew non fruit flavor components on the finish, like leather and earth.

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• 2010 Bodegas Bianchi Chardonnay Finca Los Primos 85 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, San Rafael

  Not exactly my favorite style of Chardonnay, but probably a decent rendition of what they intended to express. This is very crisp for a Chardonnay. So crisp, that the acid drowns out the softer fruit flavors. The overall impression is very dry acid. There is some subdued fruit, especially lemon, with just a touch of honey. Pretty light viscosity for a Chardonnay. We don't feel much influence from the lees. They tried not to make it creamy. Doubt there is little or any oak, or malolactic fermentation. Does a great job of keeping the palate cleansed.

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• 2010 Bodegas Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon Finca Los Primos 87 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, San Rafael

  Aside from Nouveau Beaujolais, this is my first taste of a 2010 red wine, albeit a Southern Hemisphere offering. I'm typically not a fan of early release red wines, as they usually have less than 100% malolactic fermentation which gives them that sour milk acidity that I don't like. This one is actually pretty good. It seems to have settled out nicely, and although slightly bitter, tastes like Cabernet. It is not going to win any awards for layers and complexity. It is pretty simple, but still well past medium bodied. There is some red raspberry, and dark cherry fruit flavors that taste pretty good, There are some raw tannins, but nothing overpowering. I'm actually pretty impressed.

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• 2009 Bodegas Bianchi Chardonnay Sémillon Finca Los Primos 86 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, San Rafael

  This is a pretty unique wine. They produced it with only 9% alcohol, as an easy drinking light wine, that may on occasion replace beer as a 5PM happy hour thirst quencher. Pretty clear white color. Just slightly citrus on the nose. Dopes not taste all that sweet. Has adequate acidity. Not quite sure what to make of this.

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• 2009 Bodegas Salentein Malbec Killka Valle de Uco 88 Points

  Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco

  This one costs a little more, and it is worth a little more. It raises the bar above the typical $9 to $12 Argentinian Malbecs we are starting to enjoy in ever increasing numbers. Just slightlly more dark and concentrated. The dark fruit is a little more focused and intense. The tannins are more serious and pronounced. Still only adequate on the mid palate. To me not enough oak, but there is some vanilla. Malbec is not known for its impression of non fruit flavor nuances, but with this one I am getting the slightest taste of licorice and caramel. It definitely is a head above it lesser priced cousins on the lingering finish. And, those tannins will round out with some bottle age.

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