Amalaya Blanco 2016
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Parker
Robert
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Salta is very dry, but 2016 was exceptionally dry and they didn't see more than 75 liters of rain, which was compensated by late ripening, but they are harvesting earlier to get fresher wines and lower alcohol levels. The 2016 Amalaya Blanco is an unusual blend of Torrontés with some 15% Riesling from a young vineyard, and the grapes were harvested quite early. It fermented with neutral yeasts at a low temperature to keep the aromas and it didn't go through malolactic fermentation, bottled after one month in tank. This is a young and fruit-driven white, sharp and aromatic, with only 13% alcohol—which for Salta is quite low. The Riesling was harvested at only 11%, which lent some herbal aromas and great acidity. In 2016, they got their first Riesling grapes from a new parral vineyard in Cafayate, but they still purchased some grapes. The notes of the Torrontés are not overpowering, there are hints of jasmine and talcum powder, with some green lemon and fennel aromas. It's clean, pungent and sharp, really refreshing. Putting it in my mouth made me salivate and think about the empanadas from Salta... A superb aperitif wine and superb value, too! 192,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2016, when in the northern hemisphere, the 2016 harvest had not yet started. 2016 looks like a very good year for the Salta whites...
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Unapologetically fun and distinctively fragrant, Torrontés is regarded as the signature white grape of Argentina. In many ways it bears a striking resemblance to Muscat (and in fact is an offspring of Muscat of Alexandria). Sommelier Secret—If you’re in search of a new summer sipper, look no further than Torrontés. These wines are always inexpensive, delightfully refreshing and are best enjoyed in the sunny outdoors at a picnic, poolside or on the porch.
With vineyards tretching along the eastern side of the Andes Mountains from Patagonia in the south to Salta in the north, Argentina is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic wine producing countries—and most important in South America.
Since the late 20th century vineyard investments, improved winery technology and a commitment to innovation have all contributed to the country’s burgeoning image as a producer of great wines at all price points. The climate here is diverse but generally continental and agreeable, with hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters—a positive, as snow melt from the Andes Mountains is used heavily to irrigate vineyards. Grapes very rarely have any difficulty achieving full ripeness.
Argentina’s famous Mendoza region, responsible for more than 70% of Argentina’s wine production, is further divided into several sub-regions, with Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley most noteworthy. Red wines dominate here, especially Malbec, the country’s star variety, while Chardonnay is the most successful white.
The province of San Juan is best known for blends of Bonarda and Syrah. Torrontés is a specialty of the La Rioja and Salta regions, the latter of which is also responsible for excellent Malbecs grown at very high elevation.