Bodegas Bianchi has
earned a reputation as one of Argentina's best family-owned wineries. The
winery marked its 90th anniversary in 2018, and the family commemorated the
occasion by adding to its vineyard properties with 420 acres in Vista Flores in
the Valle de Uco in the southern end of the Mendoza wine growing region. This
region has special significance, because it is here that founder Valentin
Bianchi established the original winery in 1928. The new Enzo Bianchi winery is
named for Valentin's son, who made wine for the family business for 50
years.
Silvio Alberto, Chief
Winemaker and Agronomist of Bodegas Bianchi, was in New York recently to
present current vintages from a number of vineyards at a media dinner. With
regard to the new project in the Valle de Uco, Silvio pointed out that the
region has a good diurnal shift with warm days and cool nights. Although
San Rafael is famously known as a sparkling wine region, Silvio saw more
potential there. In his opinion, "San Rafael means Cabernet
Sauvignon," and he said that this area has good conditions to make great
wine.
We had the opportunity
to taste through the following wines at the dinner:
Bodegas Bianchi Famiglia
Bianchi Chardonnay, San Rafael, 2018 - This Chardonnay has a nice freshness but
also a rich texture. Silvio said he prefers this wine to have more fruit and
acidity and he does not have it undergo malolactic fermentation. It was a
crisp, well-balanced wine. $18.99
Bodegas Bianchi Oasis
Sur Malbec, San Rafael, 2019 - Silvio said he finds this wine "easy
to drink" and that it has "lots of fruit." The vineyards
are in the far south of Mendoza. The wine had black plum and blackberry
on the nose and palate. The fruit profile was tart and the wine had a smooth
mouthfeel. At $15.99 it's a very good value.
Bodegas Bianchi Oasis
Sur Cabernet Sauvignon, San Rafael 2019 - This wine offered blackberry and black cherry fruit - tart and fresh - with well-integrated
tannins. Another good value at $15.99.
Bodegas Bianchi Famiglia
Bianchi Malbec, Mendoza, 2018 - Dark, ripe cherries dominate the flavor profile
with additional notes of tart cranberry and blackberry. A wine of richness and deep
flavor that's a great deal at $19.99.
Bodegas Bianchi Famiglia
Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon, San Rafael, 2017 - This wine had blackberry, spice,
and a touch of smoke on the palate with a rich mouthfeel and smooth finish.
$19.99
Bodegas Bianchi Gran
Famiglia Bianchi Corte, Vista Flores, Uco Valley, 2017 - A "Bordeaux"
blend of 59% Malbec, 23% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and
3% Tannat. The nose was blackberry and plum with a whiff of caramel (most
likely from the French Oak barrels the wine is aged in.) On the palate
there was more black fruit, spice, and minerality.
Silvio noted that "the idea with all my wine is to maintain the
fruit." $29.99
Bodegas Bianchi
Particular Malbec, San Rafael, 2017 - The perfumed nose had black fruit and a
hint of black pepper. On the palate, there was black cherry, a little spice,
and smooth, well-integrated tannin. For this wine, Silvio told us he mixed
using new and used French Oak barrels for 12 months. Before bottling, the
wine spent a 10-15 day period in stainless steel tanks, which allowed sediment to
precipitate, as the wine is not filtered. A year of bottle aging follows
that. Excellent quality for $30.99.
Bodegas Bianchi
Particular Cabernet Sauvignon, San Rafael, 2017 - Bold wine with slightly briny
nose along with prominent black fruit. On the palate, the wine is well
structured with nice acidity and good depth of flavor showing black fruit
and black pepper, with long length. $30.99.
Bodegas Bianchi Enzo
Bianchi Gran Corte, San Rafael, 2017 - The fruit on this blended wine is all
from San Rafael and includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit
Verdot. With an inviting nose of black fruits and spice, the wine's was lush with flavors of cherries, blackberries, and pepper. The wine has well-integrated tannins and long length.
$59.99.
With the development of
a new vineyard area, Bodegas Bianchi shows that it is a historic winery that is
still striving to improve and expand the types of wines it can make.
The tasting with Silvio showed that wines at all levels are made with intention, and that the Bianchi brand has the innovation and attention to quality to
continue to offer great wine at excellent price
points.
