Nieto Senetiner Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
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Wilfred
Wong
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
A spot-on cab, the 2012 Nieto Senetiner competes well with global examples such as Napa Valley or Bordeaux-Médoc reds at the same price point or more. Dark ruby color; black currants, some savory herbs, dust and pencil lead, medium depth; medium bodied, firm on the palate; dry, medium acidity, well balanced; nicely focused red currant flavors, with an almost shaving of pencil lead, fine concentration; medium finish. This wine calls for a rib-eye of beef, topped with shallots. (Tasted: June 18, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
Nieto Senetiner is one of Mendoza’s oldest wineries, founded in 1888 when Italian immigrants planted the first vineyards in Vistalba, a sub-region in Mendoza’s primera zona Luján de Cuyo. Since then, Nieto has produced exceptional wines from classic Argentine varietals that thrive in the unique, high altitude terroir of the Andean foothills.
Sourcing fruit from its three long-standing estate vineyards in Luján de Cuyo (Vistalba, Agrelo, and Alto Agrelo) and premier sites in the Uco Valley, today Nieto produces some of Argentina’s most consistently awarded Malbecs.
Nieto’s signature Malbec showcases fruit exclusively from Luján de Cuyo vineyards. Its Don Nicanor wines are produced at the historic winery in Vistalba using fruit selected from sites in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley to create a more elegant and intense Malbec style.
In addition to its rich heritage, Nieto is investing in the future with sustainable winemaking practices, and under the guidance of a young, innovative winemaking team led by Santiago Mayorga and consultant Paul Hobbs.
Argentina of course is heralded for its Malbecs. But in the last two decades Cabernet Sauvignon has been drawing increased attention from winemakers there, and is now the third most planted variety. It is grown in the Mendoza region in the Andean foothills, especially in Maipú and Luján de Cuyo, at altitudes between 2300 and 3100 feet. Here the climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters. It is very dry and sometimes quite windy, with runoff from the snow-capped Andes providing irrigation. These Argentinian Cabernets offer dark fruit, spice notes, full body and often a voluptuous style.
Another source within Mendoza is the higher altitude Uco Valley, at 3300 to 5000 feet. Up at this level grapes ripen more slowly, despite the bright sun. But that enables them to develop bright acidity levels, giving the wines a fresh quality to go with intense fruit flavors. Another source of good Cabernet Sauvignon in Argentina is Cafayate, in the Calchaquí Valley. North of Mendoza, these vineyards are even higher, at about 5700 feet! These Cabernets carry notes of spice, herbs and menthol to go with dark fruit. Like those from Uco Valley, they show concentration and great vibrancy.
A few producers to look for are Catena, Viña Cobos, Pulenta and Altocedro. Salud!