Is this really Argentina wine? - Argentina wine tour story 1/2

Mr. Huber Weber looked at us over his glasses, and said "This winery was established in 1890, and renovated winery in 1975, then released first wine in 1977".

We had looked around concrete fermentation vat which was very classical style.

He said that Bodega Weinert is pursuing classical wine making style, and also Bordeaux style as well.

Actually, I was not familiar with Bodega Weinert.

Since 1975, this winery has been operated as a family business style, and have not owned the vineyard, but purchased selected grapes for their wines. 
They have very strict standard to select grapes. Grape vines should be, at least, over 60years old, prefer the traditional irrigation facility to drop style facility.
They believe that vines can be live longer by a traditional irrigation system.  
Mr. Weber has managed all the viticulture process including harvest with 35 small farmers approximately.
Of course, all the grapes are hand picked. 

Oak Casks was made 120years ago, and totally can contain 44,000L of wines, and still are still using in a cave.

The most of these oak vats were made of 200~300years old oak trees.

One of their differences is that they are pursuing French style to make wine, even the most of other wineries are pursuing Italian style or Spanish style.. 

Their wine cellars were very dark, and connected like a maze, their wines have been aged, at least 2~4years, and some of them can be aged about 15years old.

There are about 230barrels to be aging wines.

I also found a lot of wines to stock in the cellar without a label, and there was a small board to explain about vintage, and varietals.    

“Are these wine for sale?”

“Of course, wines are stocked from vintage 1977, and there are 1800 bottles of vintage1977”  

It's very interested how is the style of Argentina wine made as Bordeaux style.

Of course, my curiosity was solved out with tasting right away.  

There are 5categories in Bodega Weinert, and it is composed with Pedro del Castillo, Carrascal, Weinert, Cavas de Weinert, and Star which is icon wine.

Mr. Weber prepared various wines including their old vintage wines.
At the first time, we tasted 2006 Weinert, Merlot, then Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a recent vintage. 
It's stunning. It's not excessive, but very elegant and very well balanced.

I could feel the consistent character over all of these wines. 1997Cabernet Sauvignon was more surprised wine. 
It had been aged for 14years. There were more complicated flavors, and pleasant fruits character on the palate.
I could misunderstand it's very well aged Bordeaux Grand cru wine. 

It still had enough strength, and freshness as well. I was fascinated by this Argentina Cabernet Sauvignon, even it had been aged more over 10years. 

I also felt some curiosity about vintage1977.

He brought a dusty bottle from the cellar unexpectedly, and gave a chance to taste it.

“I' d like to recommend not to decant our old vintage wines, because we can feel some a lot of changes in the glass” then he poured it in the glass right away.

1977 Cavas de Weinert was blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec.
It's surprised, there was an enough strength, even it's 1977vintage. 
I also can find a lot of complexity, which is difficult character not to be found in other old vintage wines from New world area.

After tasting of Weinert wines, I stood with vacant look on my face for a while.

"Is this really Argentina wine?"

This tasting was very good example to show the diversity, superiority, and unlimited potential of Argentina wine.