Showing items 1
through 8 of
15
Susana Balbo 2009 Signature Malbec (Mendoza)
- $25
Heavily charred and roasted throughout, with a blackened nose. The palate is broad and chewy, with thick tannins and roasted, ripe flavors of blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. Remains severely toasted all the way to the final drop; aged in 80% new French oak (apparently fully toasted oak).
— M.S.
(11/1/2011)
Susana Balbo 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza)
- $27
Rich, warm and possessing a ton of dry oak, this is one serious Argentine Cabernet. The palate is grippy as a rubber glove, with snappy berry flavors and pointed acidity. It’s ripe, racy and edgy, with substance to the fruit, feel and finish. Drink now through 2010.
— M.S.
(8/1/2007)
Susana Balbo 2005 Crios Malbec (Mendoza)
- Best Buy
- $15
Subtle and smooth from start to finish. The aromas are sly but sturdy, with mocha and blackberry sticking out. The flavor profile is pure black fruit with underlayers of spice and chocolate. A ripe, really good example of approachable Malbec.
— M.S.
(12/1/2006)
Susana Balbo 2001 Malbec (Mendoza)
- $27
Over two decades of working in Argentina, Susana Balbo has picked up a thing or two about winemaking. Her eponymous Malbec features masculine high-voltage fruit coddled in French oak. The result is a snappy, deep wine with lemony edges and a strong foundation. With 10% each of Cabernet and Bonarda.
— M.S.
(12/1/2003)
Susana Balbo 2006 Crios Rose of Malbec (Mendoza)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $11
Love the big handprint on the label as well as the burgundy color of this Malbec rosé, which ranks as one of the most consistent pink wines from a country (Argentina) that doesn’t do rosé all that well. Winemaker Susana Balbo gets the size and tint from her Malbec fruit but manages to corral the bubble-gum sweetness and cloying weight that can afflict Argentine…
— M.S.
(7/1/2007)
Susana Balbo 2008 Signature Malbec (Mendoza)
- $25
As the higher-end 2008s hit the market, the vintage’s underwhelming character is confirmed via wines like this. Oaky and rubbery on the nose, with scattered, lean berry fruit flavors and bitterness. Like many ’08s, it’s short on richness and comes across unfocused. That said, it’s still a good wine that’s not badly made.
— M.S.
(3/1/2011)
Susana Balbo 2007 Crios Torrontés (Salta)
- Online Exclusive
- $15
Smooth on the bouquet, with papaya, melon and other more neutral fruit aromas. The palate shows a teaspoon or two of sugary sweetness, while melon, mango and ripe apple flavors fill things out. A pleasant wine with a lightly candied way to it. Simple and basic, and decidedly not bitter.
— M.S.
(12/1/2008)
Susana Balbo 2007 Crios Malbec (Mendoza)
- $15
Dark and quite oaky for a brand that earned its stripes via balanced wines that overdelivered. This vintage seems much more extracted and rough, with big, burly aromas and then tannins that grab the cheeks. Along the rough and tumble ride there’s spice, pepper, blackberry and coffee. This wine pumps it out but is less polished than in the past.
— M.S.
(11/1/2008)
Showing items 1
through 8 of
15
Prominent Designations
Most Reviewed Varietals
advertisement
What We're Tasting
2009 Native 9 Rancho Ontiveros Vineyards
A lovely Pinot, dry, crisp and silky, with ripe raspberry, strawberry…
Facebook Activity
advertisement
Twitter Activity