Argentina Vintages

Question 1

2015

Answer 1

One of the earliest harvests ever. Too early to assess quality.

Question 2

2014

Answer 2

Frost, and January rain made for whites with lighter than usual concentration in 2014, but fine aromatic detail. Reds are similarly fresh and elegant, but are not expected to be hugely long-lasting.

Question 3

2013

Answer 3

Healthy, dry and abundant with a cool spell late in the season prolonging the ripening period for red varieties. Very promising quality across all regions.

Question 4

2012

Answer 4

Similar to 2011, but with lower yields leading to higher colour, fruit intensity and notable tannin that will require many years of bottle age to resolve.

Question 5

2011

Answer 5

A generally cool, damp year in Argentina. Frost and hail caused some damage too, so careful selection was required to produce the best wines. On the plus side, the coolness made for particular aromatic intensity in white wines.

Question 6

2010

Answer 6

Reds have slightly lower than average alcohol, thanks to a cool ripening season. Fruit was harvested in good health, but quality was not as good as the exceptional 2009s.

Question 7

2009

Answer 7

For some, one of the best vintages of the decade in Mendoza. Winter was mild, spring was dry and summer was warm, with diurnal variation of over 15ºC (27 °F). Weather throughout harvest was very dry too, giving fruit in great condition

Question 8

2008

Answer 8

A very cold winter, a warm spring and a wetter than average autumn. Generally underpowered as a vintage, although reds were marginally better than whites.

Question 9

2007

Answer 9

Good for white, but difficult for reds in Mendoza, with excessive heat leading to below optimal freshness in the wines. Salta did better, with Torrontés faring especially well.

Question 10

2006

Answer 10

A very good vintage, making reds with freshness and plenty of body and fruit power. Excellent quality.

Question 11

2005

Answer 11

Cool weather meaning a lighter, more aromatic style of wine. The long, dry autumn allowed for extended ripening, which allowed for good natural balance.

Question 12

2004

Answer 12

Great concentration in reds, but late rains undermined the Cabernet Sauvignons.

Question 13

2003

Answer 13

Dry and warm, producing healthy fruit that made for typically fruity, deeply coloured reds.

Question 14

2002

Answer 14

Hotter than average, giving ripe, round tannin with full flavour ripeness.

Question 15

2001

Answer 15

Unremarkable wines, with rain leading to dilution in many examples.

Question 16

2000

Answer 16

A cool vintage, leaving the wines with high acid and fresh fruit.