Mendoza recently hosted it's annual 'Premium Tasting'. This event was created to promote the best-rated wines from Argentina and includes wines that received 92 or higher points from Robert Parker Jr. and/or 91 or more point from Stephen Tanzer.

The most interesting aspect of this exclusive blind tasting which winemakers, sommeliers, select press, and the general public attend is the comparison and enjoyment of all these wines of different terroir and different styles. In this year's event, held mid-August at Mendoza's Hotel Intercontinental, we blind tasted 30 wines in groups of five wines per flight. After tasting each flight, the 300 attendees selected their favorite wine and immediately the favorite wines were revealed and displayed on a large screen in front of the room. It was an entertaining tasting and I particularly enjoyed observing the winemakers trying to recognize their own wines while also sharing their observations with friends and colleagues. 

This year, The Vines' Head Winemaker Pablo Martorell had a shining performance as two of his wines were the favored selections in their respective flights. We spoke to him about the event and his wines shortly after: 

 

Why do you think it is important to make high-end wines? 

The grape quality is essential, and we monitor this closely by walking the vineyards throughout the year, particularly during harvest. We listen to the grapes throughout the winemaking process. This allows us to best express the fruit's natural qualities and add a perfect selection of oak to glean complexity and aging potential.

 

Your great wines that have been given high ratings are all different. How do you achieve this differentiation for each of them?

First, with the vineyard tasks and then the winery tasks, trying to obtain the best in each terroir and consciously making the best decisions for each wine. If I want to express more or less fruit, concentration, complexity, freshness, I make decisions every moment based on what the grapes reveal to me. I might change a decision I made hours before if I realize that there will be a better outcome for the wine. It is impossible to follow a set 'recipe'.

2014 has been a year of fantastic awards. At the Premium Tasting you participated with two wines. But your list of awarded wines also includes many others, doesn't it?

Yes, this year we all the wines we sent to be rated were rates above 90pts and it makes me feel very proud.

RECUERDO MALBEC 2012 - 90pts – THE VINES OF MENDOZA WINERY: This is the perfect wine to enjoy everyday because of its fruit freshness and youth. The perfect partner for an asado (barbecue) with friends and family.

 

RECUERDO ALIADO MALBEC 2011 - 92pts – THE VINES OF MENDOZA WINERY: An elegant and sincere wine with a fantastic balance of fruit and round tannins, which I love. This is the ideal wine to drink to celebrate a special moment. Or to make an ordinary moment special! 

 

RECUERDO GRAN CORTE 2011 - 93pts - THE VINES OF MENDOZA WINERY: Gran Corte is a great wine as its name implies. A wine for celebration. Complex, full-bodied but with an amazing elegance. I choose this wine to enjoy with my best friends and colleagues. It makes me feel very proud to be able to share this wine as it is from Vista Flores -- where I was born. 

 

GIMENEZ RIILI GRAN FAMILIA MALBEC 2010 - 92pts – GIMENEZ RIILI WINERY: A wine with great expression, balance and beautiful fruit. A wine that I bring with me every time I want to share my passion for wine, family tradition and the expression of the great Altamira terroir. 

TIERRA DE DIOSES MALBEC 2008 - 92pts – YOUR PERSONAL WINE: This wine makes me very emotional. It reminds me of my childhood when I walked the vineyard with my grandfather, who was my best teacher. It is a complex wine with lot of character that is with me at the most important moments in my life.