The World of Fine Wine

• March 2009, Issue #23 (link)

  (Bodega Lurton Chacayes) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

• By Stephen Tanzer
  January/February 2008, IWC Issue #136 (link)

  (Bodega J. & F. Lurton Chacayes Mendoza) Subscribe to see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  1/8/2009 (link)

  (Chacayes) Dessert Dear Friends, Want to try something really different? Argentina has become synonymous with red wine but few in the US have dabbled with the very successful dessert wines produced from high elevation vineyards that dot the western landscape of the country. That's about to change. With Argentina's indigenous white wine gaining a stronger foothold world-wide (Torrontes), the late harvest examples are the next treat to be discovered. While many of the best producers in Argentina have kept their dessert wine in-house or for local consumption only, one entity has made it a point to put Torrontes-based sweet wine as a focus: Francois Lurton. The wings of Lurton have spread significantly in the last few decades and their Mendoza home may be their finest entity. For those seeking post-dinner delight at a plebian price, this wine is downright impressive for its delicious framework and bright style. Torrontes produces very fragrant and floral wine (think Moscato) and it is the ideal starting block to experiment with late-harvest production. As more in the US discover the charms of this wine, it is my opinion that Argentina will be recognized for more than just Malbec (akin to Australia's post-Shiraz reputation with Rutherglen dessert wine - the difference is that this is closer in style to something like Alsace meets the Mosel meets Argentina). If the Argentineans take heed and keep prices this ridiculously low for the quality, this is a new horizon to watch very closely: ONE SHIPMENT ONLY - 50/6-packs for the entire US: 2007 Pasitea (Lurton) 500ml (Torrontes/Pinot Gris) ...for those that swoon for red wine, we also have some of the Lurton's flagship Malbec/Cabernet at an especially enticing price. This wine is, in a word, stylish. It has breed not often found in the New World with a character reminiscent of Leoville Las Cases meets the New World. Whatever it is, it's going to turn many heads and you will be one of the only collectors on your block to own a bottle. This wine is EXTREMELY LIMITED - it is very hard to find in the US: 2004 Chacayes (Lurton) (Malbec/Cabernet) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Arg9300 Arg9400