Gauchezco Torrontes 2011

gauchezcotorrontesThe 2011 Gauchezco Torrontes is sourced from grapes grown in the Cafayate region of the Salta grape growing region in Argentina. The Salta region is one of the northern most growing areas in Argentina and Cafayate has some of the highest altitude vineyards in the world, with the Torrontes grapes for the Gauchezco coming from vineyards located 6,500 feet above sea level. Mendoza is where the bulk of the grapes for the Argentinean wines on the store shelves are grown, but Cafayate in the North and Patagonia in the South, are rapidly evolving into world class growing regions. This is a young wine, which indicates there is very little aging of the wine. The residual sugar level is 4.03 g/l, which places this Torrontes right on the border of dry and medium dry wine. The alcohol content is 13.9%.

The color pale wheat yellow with a slight green tint around the edges. The nose is a grapefruit half with sugar on top, orange SweeTarts, dried pineapple pieces and lemon chiffon. This is a Torrontes with bold flavors and most of the action coming on the mid palate. It starts with unsweetened lemonade, fresh pineapple juice and Granny Smith apple. The mid palate brings tart tangerine, canned pear in heavy syrup, lime and lemon extract. The acidity is strong, but balanced. It gives the wine some length, but stays out of the flavor profile. The finish is surprisingly subdued given the body of the wine, but does last for a respectable length of time.

The 2011 Gauchezco Torrontes might be a little out of place on a cold February night in Chicago, but come July, there is no wine better at cooling off a hot summers day. The slightly sweet and very tart flavors of the Gauchezco Torrontes would pair well with shellfish or spicy Cajun Catfish. And would do very nicely on its own while watching the sunset in the heat of summer.

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