Susana Balbo Signature Barrel Fermented Torrontes 2022

Cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. This is Susana Balbo’s testament to Torrontés as a noble grape. It begins with a complex, aromatic nose of citrus, lychee, mango, fresh flowers and wild honey. It appears a rich golden colour in the glass and is made of grapes harvested exclusively from the Altamira region of Uco Valley, one of the most austere terroirs in Argentina. Susana Balbo founded her winery in 1999, at the feet of the Andes in Argentina’s premier winemaking region of Mendoza. As Argentina’s first female winemaker, Susana’s wines have always been infused with a courageous, adventurous spirit. These days she is joined in the winery by her two children, José and Ana, cementing the Balbo family legacy in the region. This Torrontés is a rare thing in the wine world: an aromatic white wine, aged for 4 months in French oak. Susana also employed the unusual technique of “toasting” the oak barrels - blasting them with hot air during the ageing process, and imparting a rich, clean profile. On the palate, you can discover notes of grapefruit, lemon zest and honeysuckle, with a pronounced acidity and gorgeous silky mouthfeel. The Barrel-Fermented Torrontés is one-of-a-kind and deserves an aromatic pairing, such as Thai or Chinese food.

Price: £18.71 from 8wines UK