Winemaker Karim Mussi is one of the leading voices in La Consulta and the Uco Valley in Mendoza, having made his name with Altocedro and today redefining Uco Valley wines with Bodega Alandes. Amanda Barnes interviews him about the Bordeaux paradox and how with his blends Bodega Alandes he challenges stereotypes and redefines the category of red and white blends.
In this Terroir Talk, Karim delives into the old vines, vineyards and terroir of the Uco Valley, and specifically San Carlos and La Consulta, while they taste through his award-winning Bodega Alandes Paradoux Blanc Semillon – Sauvignon blend; Paradoux Tinto Malbec – Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Franc – Merlot – Petit Verdot blend; and blend of Cabernet Franc wines, all from the Uco Valley.
They also discuss Karim’s music choices during vintage and harvest time; touch on a little bit of philosophy; and even get a tour around the winery in Maipú!
Karim Mussi interview & Terroir Talk with Bodega Alandes
Wine tasting Bodega Alandes
Alandes Paradoux Blanc
This is hands down one of my favourite white wines in Argentina at the moment: bold, rich, leesy and yet fresh, vibrant and full of fresh fruit, herbal and mineral aromas.
A non-vintage blend of old-vine Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc from the Uco Valley, this Alandes Paradoux Blanc wine really embraces what is exciting about Argentine white blends at the moment – poise, direction and a daring attitude that makes the wines stand out. One for lobster!
- Semillon (66%) and Sauvignon Blanc (33%) blend
- Terroir: La Consulta and Los Chacayes
- Vintage: Non-vintage
- 14% ABV
- Winemaking: Sustainable farming. Fermented and aged “sur lie” in selection of barrels only of French oak.
Alandes Paradoux Red Blend
Karim Mussi redefines the Bordeaux-style blend in Argentina by making this elegant, juicy and nuanced yet full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
This wine is all about the art of blending as Karim puts together the final blend each year from a range of varieties and vintages from different vineyards. No release is the same, although they all bring together rich notes of forest fruit, graphite, spices and dark chocolate. A wine to sip in front of a fire place.
- Cabernet Sauvignon 20%; Cabernet Franc 20%; Malbec 20%; Merlot 20%; Petit Verdot 20%
- Terroir: Blend of Uco Valley terroirs
- Vintage: Non-vintage
- 14% ABV
- Winemaking: The final blend is 20% of each grape variety taken from 3 different vintages, it is then aged in French oak for 12 months
Bodega Alandes Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is one of the rising stars of Argentine wine, and Karim Mussi takes a sophisticated approach to making a spicy, fresher style of Cabernet Franc making a vintage blend from different vineyards in the Uco Valley.
As a lover of Loire-style Cabernet Franc, this wine embraces the leaner, spicier style of the variety while also delivering on ripe red fruit aromas and sweet, vanilla-laced spice from a year and a half in barrel. One to mull over.
- Cabernet Franc (100%)
- Terroir: Blend of Uco Valley terroirs
- Vintage: 2018
- 14% ABV
- Winemaking: 100% native yeast in small concrete tanks (10,000 lts.). Four pump overs a day. Skin maceration for two weeks. 18 months in French oak
Find out more about Karim Mussi wines
Find out where Karim Mussi wines are stocked in the UK through Condor Wines.
