Recommendation from Resident Wine-tertainer

Jacques and François Lurton founded their wine company in 1988 after their dad, André Lurton, established the family name with some of Bordeaux’s most applauded Chateaux. Jacques and François have vineyards in Argentina and Chili and are actively involved in Uruguay, Australia, France and Spain.

Argentina’s wine growing history dates back to the 19th century. It now has just over 200,000 hectares of vines, making it the world’s fifth largest wine producer. Mendoza is the largest wine region there, representing almost 70 percent of the total wine growing area. It is divided into several sub regions – the lower part is set at 600 meters whilst the highest culminates at 1600 meters. The high quality grapes are grown at altitudes of over 800 meters. The Brothers’ Lurton have vineyards on two sites: “Chacayes ” in Tunuyan (Vista Flores, south of Mendoza, set at an altitude of 1100 meters) and Barrancas (plateau to the east of Mendoza, set at an altitude of 600 meters).

The 2008 Lurton Reserva Malbec is made from 100 percent Malbec grape – Argentina’s most emblematic red grape variety. Originally from southwest France, this grape has found the perfectly suited combination of sun and climate in Argentina. It produces very powerful wines with intense coloring. The grapes are grown on gravely-sandy soil on volcanic slopes with good drainage. There are wide variations between night and daytime temperatures and the average age of the vines is 10 years. Alcoholic fermentation at controlled and relatively low temperatures gives a very fresh and full fruit flavor to the wine which was aged for 9 months in barrels to add complexity to the finished product. All of this results in a stunning and gorgeously enjoyable bottle of wine.

The color is intense and brilliant. The perfume also has a deep intensity characterized by a beautiful complexity with fruit notes of blackcurrant, some spice and a touch of  lavender. The flavor is silky with great consistency that lingers long after the glass is empty. This wine will be quite brilliant with roast beef and red peppers, beef bourguignon or strong hard cheeses. In a word – slurpalicious.

Cheers!

Ask for the Bodega Lurton Reserva Malbec 2008 (PLCB CODE 16952; $15.99) at one of these local Pennsylvania Wine & Spirits shops: