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Cream Wine Company
118 N. Peoria St., 3rd Fl
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 421-1900 tel
(312) 421-1977 fax
service@creamwine.com

Home | Producers | Susana Balbo

Susana Balbo

www.dominiodelplata.com.ar
Susana Balbo, Winemaker
Susana Balbo, Winemaker


Downloads
 
Susana Balbo Code of Sustainable Agriculture
Susana Balbo Backgrounder
Country of Origin: Argentina
Location: Agrelo
People: Susana Balbo, Owner & Winemaker
Supplier: www.vineconnections.com


In a country dominated by male winemakers, Susana Balbo stands out not only for her gender, but for her incredible skill and experience. She has been making wine since she earned her enology degree in 1981, and she has probably produced a wider variety of wines than any other winemaker in Argentina. Susana was the first Argentine winemaker to be hired as a consultant to make wine outside of Argentina. She has made wine in Australia, California, Chile, France, Italy, South Africa, and Spain, and she spends a month each year in a different wine region of the world studying with local winemakers and growers. After twenty years of producing wines for others, Susana decided it was time to apply her education and experience to her own wines and put her name right on the bottle. Susana strives for balance in her wines, with layers of complexity coming from the individually fermented varietals. She wants people who drink her wines to feel that every sip from the glass is as exciting as the first. The label features figurines from a silver Huarpe Indian necklace that Susana owns. The figures represent women's reproductive role as the connection between the past, present, and future. She considers her role as winemaker to be the connection between the vineyards (past), the winemaking (present), and the finished wines (future).

Quick Facts:
The ultimate expression of Susana's skill and artistry.
Top barrel selections from her overall production.
Complex and powerful, with elegance and finesse.
Items
Susana Balbo 2006 'Brioso' (Bordeaux Blend), Mendoza Net Price Reviews Downloads
Susana Balbo 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza Net Price Reviews Downloads
Susana Balbo 2007 Malbec, Mendoza Net Price Reviews —
Susana Balbo 2008 Malbec, Mendoza Net Price Reviews Downloads
Susana Balbo (500 ml) 2007 Late Harvest Malbec 'Virtuoso' Net Price — —
Reviews
Susana Balbo 2006 'Nosotros' (Red Bordeaux Blend)
Rating: 94

Pulls no punches, with a torrent of crushed plum, raspberry and boysenberry fruit that pumps from start to finish, pushed by lush licorice, mulled spice, milk chocolate and mint notes. The long, pure finish is almost refreshing, despite its obvious weight. Malbec. Drink now through 2014. 200 cases made.

- The Wine Spectator (11/15/2008)

Susana Balbo (500 ml) 2006 Late Harvest Malbec 'Virtuoso'
Rating: 90

This wine was bottled without fining or filtration. The 2006 Virtuoso is a late-harvest Malbec made in an Amarone style. A saturated purple in color, it has an intense nose of Asian spice, black cherry, and black raspberry jam. On the palate, it is off-dry with good depth of flavor. The wine is balanced and has good length but who knows how it will evolve? Better to drink it near-term at the end of a meal with strongly-flavored cheeses. The pioneering Susana Balbo was the first female graduate of Mendoza's top school of Enology in 1981.

- The Wine Advocate (12/1/2007)

Susana Balbo 2006 'Brioso' Bordeaux Blend, Mendoza
Rating: 90

Lush and forward, with velvety texture and inviting notes of warm figs, crushed plums, dark cocoa and melted licorice. Very rounded on the finish, but with good drive and length thanks to an underlying briary edge. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Drink now through 2009. 600 cases made.

- The Wine Spectator (10/31/2008)

Susana Balbo 2008 Malbec, Mendoza
Rating: 90

Saturated medium ruby. Very ripe aromas of black raspberry, blueberry and bitter chocolate. At once silky and vinous, with a lush texture to the flavors of dark berries, spices and chocolatey oak. Finishes with very suave tannins and lingering dark fruits. This showed a bit more stuffing than the BenMarco malbec tasted next to it-a wine that is also made by Susanna Balbo, albeit in a style generally intended for earlier consumption.

- International Wine Cellar (2/1/2010)

Susana Balbo 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
Rating: 90

Very dense, with thickly layered plum, prune, coffee, bittersweet cocoa and fig sauce notes that rumble along, with dark toast and loam notes shrouding the finish. This has fresh-enough structure, though it's buried deep, to provide balance. Drink now through 2012. 900 cases made.

- The Wine Spectator (3/31/2010)

Susana Balbo 2008 Malbec, Mendoza
Rating: 91

This is creamy and pure, with gorgeous spice and black tea aromas leading the way for lush, velvety raspberry, cassis and boysenberry fruit. It al sails through the full-bodied, nicely supple finish. Drink now through 2011.

- The Wine Spectator (12/1/2009)

Susana Balbo 2007 Malbec, Mendoza
Rating: 90

Sports an enticing mocha- and spice-filled nose, along with creamy raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors that carry through the lengthy, pure finish.

- The Wine Spectator (11/15/2008)

Susana Balbo 2008 Malbec, Mendoza
Rating: 91

The 2008 Malbec received the same elevage as the Cabernet. Purple-colored, the nose offers up toasty oak, cinnamon, allspice, and black cherry. Medium- to full-bodied, it has excellent depth and grip, savory flavors, and enough fine-grained tannin to evolve for 2-3 years. It, too, can be enjoyed from 2011 to 2017. The Susana Balbo wines are the top barrel selections from her overall production.

- The Wine Advocate (8/31/2009)

Susana Balbo 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
Rating: 90

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 13 months in 80% new French and 20% second use American oak barrels before bottling without fining or filtration (as was the case for all 3 of these wines). Purple-colored, it delivers a classy bouquet of toasty oak, spice box, violets, black currant, and blackberry. Medium-bodied, layered, ripe, and well-balanced, it has plenty of succulent fruit, enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years and solid length. Drink it from 2011 to 2017. The Susana Balbo wines are the top barrel selections from her overall production.

- The Wine Advocate (8/31/2009)

Susana Balbo 2007 'Brioso' (Bordeaux Blend), Mendoza
Rating: 89

The 2007 Brioso is a blend 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, and the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. It spent 14 months in 100% new French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it displays a complex aromatic array of pain grille, graphite, spice box, violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Compressed on the palate, it will need at least 4-6 years to unwind. If it does (and I think it will), my score will look conservative. The Susana Balbo wines are the top barrel selections from her overall production.

- The Wine Advocate (8/31/2009)

Susana Balbo 2007 Malbec, Mendoza
Rating: 91

The purple-colored 2007 Malbec contains 10% Cabernet Sauvignon while receiving the same elevage as the 2006 Cabernet. It reveals an enticing perfume of coffee/mocha, baking spices, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and ripe, it has loads of succulent fruit, enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years, and a lingering, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next 6-8 years. Susana Balbo is one of Argentina’s most respected as well as renowned winemakers.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2008)

Susana Balbo 2006 'Brioso' (Bordeaux Blend), Mendoza
Rating: 92

The limited production (600 6-packs) 2006 Brioso is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 8% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. It was sourced from ungrafted vines with an average age of 27 years and aged for 14 months in 100% new French oak. Purple-colored, it has a fragrant nose of pain grille, mineral, earth notes, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. Surprisingly elegant for its size, on the palate it reveals notes of chocolate, tobacco, and leather in addition to layers of rich black fruits. It should evolve effortlessly for several years and be at its best from 2012 to 2026. Susana Balbo is one of Argentina’s most respected as well as renowned winemakers.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2008)

Susana Balbo 2006 Nosotros (Red Bordeaux Blend)
Rating: 94

The limited production (200 6-packs) 2006 Nosostros Malbec was sourced from a 50-year-old ungrafted vineyard and aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak prior to bottling without fining and filtration. Dark ruby/purple in color, it delivers a fragrant bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, black cherry, black raspberry, and licorice. This leads to a full-bodied wine with layers of flavor, succulent fruit, excellent balance and enough structure to develop in bottle for another 4-6 years. Drink this complex effort from 2012 to 2026. Nosotros is a collaboration between Susana Balbo and Pedro Marchevsky.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2008)

Susana Balbo 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
Rating: 91

The dark ruby-colored 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon which contains 15% Merlot was aged for 13 months in 80% new French oak and 20% second use French oak before bottling without fining or filtration (as are all three of these wines). It offers an alluring bouquet of pain grille, spice box, cassis, and black currant. This is followed by an elegantly-styled Cabernet with silky tannin, 2-3 years of aging potential, excellent depth and concentration, plenty of savory fruit, and a pure finish. It will be at its best from 2010 to 2018. Susana Balbo is one of Argentina’s most respected as well as renowned winemakers.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2008)

Susana Balbo 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
Rating: 83

- The Wine Spectator (12/01/2008)

Susana Balbo (500 ml) 2005 Virtuoso (Late Harvest Malbec)
Rating: 86

Shows a mix of molasses, coffee and licorice aromas and flavors, with sweet plum and fruitcake flavors. Atypical, but stays fresh enough.

- The Wine Spectator (11/1/2008)

Susana Balbo 2006 Malbec, Mendoza
Rating: 91

"Rich and polished, with almost gushing raspberry, boysenberry and blackberry fruit that's harnessed by suave toast spice and licorice notes. Long, well-rounded finish has nice buried acidity."

- The Wine Spectator (06/30/2008)

Susana Balbo 2006 Malbec, Mendoza
Rating: 91

Blended with 10% cabernet sauvignon) Bright, full ruby-red. Sexy, dark aromas of blackberry, licorice, bitter chocolate, espresso and spicy oak. At once creamy and penetrating, pliant and juicy, boasting impressive concentration of sweet fruit and enticing inner-mouth perfume. Firm acids and sweet tannins give this plenty of structure for a positive evolution in bottle, but this is already very appealing. In fact, it makes the 2005 version seem dry by comparison. This was aged in 80% new French and 20% once-used American oak. Finishes with a subtle floral nuance. (A second bottle, which I scored 90, had a similarly penetrating sweetness but was a bit more liqueur-like.)

- International Wine Cellar (2/1/2008)

Susana Balbo 2005 Malbec, Mendoza
Rating: 88

Bright ruby-red. Slightly reduced aromas of black- and blueberry, licorice pastille, violet, menthol and bitter chocolate. Suave on entry, then firm and tightly wound in the mid-palate, with a medicinal, almost inky character calling for patience. Tactile and fresh but not yet complex and in need of patience. Will this loosen up in bottle? Finishes with sweet tannins and lingering fruit.

- International Wine Cellar (2/1/2008)

Susana Balbo 2005 'Brioso' (Bordeaux Blend), Mendoza
Rating: 91

A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 15% malbec, 10% cab franc and 5% each petit verdot and merlot) Good deep ruby-red. Complex aromas of plum syrup, cherry, mocha, tobacco leaf and mint. Silky, pliant and quite dry, offering a smooth texture allied to firm supporting backbone. The enticing red fruit, mint and dusty mineral flavors convey a strong sense of soil. Finishes fine-grained and classically dry, with lingering aromatic persistence and very suave tannins. An enticing, scented blend.

- International Wine Cellar (2/1/2008)

Susana Balbo 2005 Nosotros (Red Bordeaux Blend)
Rating: 93

A 90/10 blend of malbec and cabernet sauvignon) Full, saturated medium ruby. High-toned, slightly liqueur-like aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate and new spicy oak. Fat, sweet, full and very ripe, with a sensual, creamy texture and superb concentration to its flavors of dark fruits, espresso and melted chocolate. Ripe acids give shape and grip to this impressive and seriously sexy wine. Finishes with oak-driven but downright glossy tannins and impressive length, with late notes of berries and sassafras. I'd like to serve this blind against some far more expensive internationally styled red wines.

- International Wine Cellar (2/1/2008)

Susana Balbo 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
Rating: 91

This wine was bottled without fining or filtration. The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 10% Malbec and was aged for13 months in 80% new French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it has a complex bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, spice box, black currant, and blackberry. Medium-bodied, it has excellent depth and concentration, a firm structure, and is nicely balanced. It will evolve for 4-6 years and drink well through 2020. The pioneering Susana Balbo was the first female graduate of Mendoza’s top school of Enology in 1981.

- The Wine Advocate (12/21/2007)

Susana Balbo 2006 Malbec, Mendoza
Rating: 91

This wine was bottled without fining or filtration. The 2006 Malbec (which contains 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) received the same oak regimen as the Cabernet. It is dark ruby-colored with a lovely nose of cedar, smoke, cassis, and black cherry. Medium-bodied with an elegant personality, it has layers of ripe fruit, nicely concealed tannins, and a pure finish. It will continue to develop with a few more years in the bottle and provide pleasure through 2020. The pioneering Susana Balbo was the first female graduate of Mendoza’s top school of Enology in 1981.

- The Wine Advocate (04/16/2008)

Susana Balbo 2005 'Brioso' (Bordeaux Blend), Mendoza
Rating: 92

This wine was bottled without fining or filtration. The 2005 Brioso is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, and 5% Merlot aged for 14 months in 100% new French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it has an outstanding aromatic display of pain grille, clove, pencil lead, espresso, blackberry, and black currant. Medium to full-bodied, it has gobs of sweet fruit, notes of licorice and chocolate, ripe tannins, and 5-7 years of aging potential. It should evolve in the manner of a top St.-Julien and provide pleasure through 2030. The pioneering Susana Balbo was the first female graduate of Mendoza’s top school of Enology in 1981.

- The Wine Advocate (12/21/2007)

Susana Balbo 2003 'Brioso' (Bordeaux Blend), Mendoza
Rating: 91

Brawny, gutsy style with lots of dark currant and fig fruit followed by briar, tobacco and loam hints. Solid, fleshy finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2008. 360 cases made. –JM

- The Wine Spectator (6/30/2006)

Susana Balbo 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
Rating: 89

- The Wine Spectator (11/30/2006)

Susana Balbo 2001 'Brioso' (Bordeaux Blend), Mendoza
Rating: 84

- The Wine Spectator (5/15/2006)