Silvio Alberto is one of Mendoza’s most experienced winemakers and in this Terroir Talk he shares his experiences making wine in two terroirs in Mendoza, in that of San Rafael and also of Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley. As winemaker at Bodegas Bianchi he oversees winemaking and viticulture in both regions and in harvest time is regularly driving over 200 km a day to get between vineyards and wine regions.
In this interview and tasting with Amanda Barnes, they discuss the special characteristic of wines from San Rafael as well as the promising potential of Los Chacayes. Within the interview, they taste through the Bodegas Bianchi Particular Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, and also taste both icon wines of the winery: Enzo Bianchi Gran Malbec and Gran Corte.
Terroir Talk interview with Silvio Alberto winemaker Bodegas Bianchi
View this post on Instagram
Bodegas Bianchi wine tasting notes
Bodegas Bianchi Particular Malbec
Coming from their San Rafael vineyard, this Malbec certainly is particular to the wine region. With a gentle pink peppercorn aroma, Silvio says this is characteristic of the region. It is also quite characteristically Malbec with soft, supple tannins and a rich plum note running through. An appealing wine which perfectly suits an asado.
Bodegas Bianchi Particular Cabernet Sauvignon
Another of the excellent value Particular line which this time shows the unique qualities of San Rafael’s Cabernet Sauvignon, which is altogether much more approachable and supple than Cabernet Sauvignon wines from further north in Mendoza. It lingers with spice notes and that trademark sweet pink peppercorn and has a silky but mouthfilling style.
Enzo Bianchi Gran Corte San Rafael
The original icon wine of Bodegas Bianchi, Enzo Bianchi is a spicy and complex blend that is usually Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec dominant from their vineyard top plots in San Rafael. It often used to contain Petit Verdot, but Silvio has always been a big fan of Cabernet Franc and in the most recent vintages you get some of the floral notes of Cabernet Franc blending in. A complex wine that needs time to decant.
Enzo Bianchi Gran Malbec Los Chacayes
This is the new Enzo Bianchi to join the portfolio, coming from their relatively new vineyard in Los Chacayes. It’s a bold style of Malbec with rather firm tannins and strong presence on the palate which hints at the ageability of Malbec from this emerging sub-region. Bright and fresh black and red fruit on the nose are matched with some floral and graphite notes. This wine also deserves some decanting and will age well for a decade.
Find out more about Bianchi in our winery guide.
Learn more about the vineyards in this vineyard interview with Silvio Alberto.
