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Susana Balbo Signature White Blend 2020
It is a very aromatic wine with floral and citrus notes that are combined with hints of fresh grass, white fruits and orange. In the mouth, floral, fresh and fruity flavors are perfectly combined with the unctuousness of successful aging in barrels. Its finish is mineral and persistent. Great aging potential.
Origin: Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
Grapes: 42% Semillón, 33% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Torrontés
ABV: 12%
Producer Profile
In 1981 Susana received her degree in enology, and became the first woman in Argentina to do so. Her career started in Cafayate, Salta province at Michel Torino winery where she was in charge of developing and stylizing the Torrontes varietal. Afterwards she worked at many well-regarded wineries such as Martins and Catena Zapata. In 2012, she was recognized as one of the "Most influental women wine-makers" by The Drink Business magazine. Later, in 2015, she was awarded by the same magazine as "Woman of the year". Recently in 2018, the magazine recognized her again by including her in the list of "The 10 most influental women in the wine world". Susana’s life reached its peak in 1999 with the birth of Susana Balbo Wines. She was able to achieve her lifelong dream: to have her own winery and to create her own wines. In 2011 and 2012, Susana’s son Jose and daughter Ana joined the winery to help build SBW to where it is today.
Grape Profile
Semillón and Sauvignon Blanc are both white grape varieties from Bordeaux, which make up the classic "white Bordeaux blend" of the Graves, Pessac-Léognan, and Entre-deux-mers. They are both high in acidity and are versatily to produce dry and sweet wines (the same grapes used in Sauternes). Semillon adds a slight richness, weight, and lanolin quality to the blend while Sauvignon Blanc gives a zippy, grassy, freshness. Torrontés is Argentina's white speciality. it is an aromatic white grape that makes floral, and lightly spicy dry wines.
Region Profile
Valle de Uco is a winemaking region one hour's drive southwest of Mendoza, in Argentina. Situated along the Tunuyán River, the Uco Valley is widely considered one of the top wine regions in Mendoza, and is home to some of the country's most famous wines. The annual average temperature is 14 °C (57 °F) and altitudes range from 900–1,200 metres (3,000–3,900 ft) above sea level. The combination of high elevation, alluvial soils, irrigation sourced from the Andes Mountains, a long growing season with over 250 sunny days a year, little rain and vast temperature differences between day and night are all conducive to growing quality wine grapes. These climate and geography elements come together to provide excellent fruit ripening and concentration, developing colors, aromas, flavors and textures resulting in wines that are deep in color, intense in aromas and rich in flavors. The Uco Valley figures prominently in the Argentina Wine Route for tourist visitors.
Viticulture
Vineyard location: Finca La Delfina, Altamira (Uco Valley), Mendoza, 1,050 metres above sea level. Grapes are hand harvested.
Vinification
Sauvignon Blanc and Semillón: Destemmed. Macerated in the press with dry ice for 4 hours (before pressing), pressing, fining for 36 hours. The Semillón was devatted to concrete eggs and the Sauvignon Blanc, to barrels. Fermented with natural yeasts.
Torrontés: Destemmed. No maceration during pressing. Selected yeasts. Fermented in barrels. Once fermentation had finished, the wine was kept on lees for two months to improve the mouthfeel. Final blending and racking to oak barrels for two more months.