Crios de Susana Balbo
This Week’s Tasting
Susana Balbo Winery
“The creation of my wines at Susana Balbo Wines is to me the maximum achievement as a winemaker, product of all my efforts and many years of hard work. I could say that the winery is like my third child, a dream come true.” Susana.
Born into a traditional family, Susana reneged of her fate since she was young by applying to study nuclear physics in Bariloche. Being this a very unconventional choice for the time, her parents refused to let her leave Mendoza. From that point, Susana decided to follow the family business (viticulture) professionally, thus challenging the contemporary social beliefs, because at that time no women had graduated as winemaker.
In 1981 Susana recieved her degree in enology, and became the first woman in Argentina to do so. Her career started in Cafayate, Salta province at Michel Torino winery where she was in charge of developing and stylizing the Torrontes varietal. Afterwards she worked at many well-regarded wineries such as Martins and Catena Zapata.
In 2012, she was recognized as one of the “Most influental women wine-makers” by The Drink Business magazine. Recently, in 2015, she was awarded by the same magazine as “Woman of the year”.
Throughout her career as a winemaker, Susana had the opportunity of working internationally. She was the first Argentinean woman hired as a consultant to wineries worldwide: Spain, Chile, Italy, Brazil, Australia, and California. This experience allowed her to always be ahead of market trends and wine styles.
Susana’s life reached its peak in 1999 with the birth of Susana Balbo Wines. She was able to achieve her lifelong dream: to have her own winery and to create her own wines.
Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes 2014
Mendoza, Argentina
“Enticing aromas that are strikingly similar to Viognier, with hints of white pear, white flowers and citru
s fruit. On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with enticing fruit flavours that keep you coming back for another sip. Plenty of body for a wine that shows such delicate aromas and flavours. Fruity, floral and yet still quite dry. Best enjoyed in its youth either by itself, or as a wonderful partner with smoked meats, mild to medium-strong cheeses and seafood (especially crab, prawns, raw and marinated fish). It’s also a delicious wine to pair with Asian food and sushis and a surprising partner with goat cheese.”
$12.99
Crios de Susana Balbo Rose of Malbec 201
Mendoza, Argentina
“A beautiful, deep, vibrant rosé color. Has a surprising amount of body for a rosé wine, and beautiful aromas of fresh, ripe wild strawberries. On the palate, the flavors of strawberries and young cherries come rushing in, accompanied by some spice notes and a clean, dry finish. This is the perfect chicken wine and a charming companion to mildly spicy Asian cuisine. It’s also a delicious wine to enjoy with light snacks and cheeses.”
$12.99
Crios de Susana Balbo Malbec 2014
Mendoza, Argentina
“Beautiful reddish-purple color. The aromas are a mix of freshly crushed black cherries and subtle coffee and vanilla notes, just enough to frame the exuberant fruit. On the palate, the flavors of cherries and spice are obvious, and the jammy fruit quality just keeps coming on, with hints of spice and sandalwood lurking in the background. This wine can be consumed at almost any occasion, by itself or with a large range of food such as roasted beef and barbecues.”
$12.99
Crios Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Mendoza, Argentina
“Dark reddish color with aroma of ripe plums, freshly crushed cherries framed by light hints of sweet vanilla from the oak. In the mouth, the intense flavors of ripe red fruits mingle with red pepper notes typical of the Cabernet and lead to a long, juicy finish. Lively and well balanced this wine offers an amazing fruit quality and complexity on the palate. It will pair well with traditional Cabernet-friendly foods like grilled or roasted meats.”
$12.99