This week I headed out to the Uco Valley in Mendoza to visit one of Argentina’s most modern and architecturally striking wineries – Bodega Diamandes. It’s always a pleasure to visit the beautiful Clos de los 7 estate in Vista Flores, especially on a gorgeous Autumn day, but it also happened to be Malbec Day, or rather Malbec Week, in Argentina – offering the perfect excuse to drink some.
Owned by a Belgian family, Bodega Diamandes is the newest – and only New World – winery in a small family portfolio which includes Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere and Chateau Gazin-Rocquencourt in Bordeaux. It was through the family’s relationship with famous Bordeaux winemaking consultant Michel Rolland that they first set their sights on buying property in Mendoza’s Uco Valley but, as Veronique Bonnie explains in the video below, the family had a personal connection with Argentina long before:
(You can also get more of the backstory on the Bonnie family and Diamandes during our longer interview with live wine tasting.)
While I was at Diamandes I managed to corner the winemaker for the family’s French estates and Diamandes, Philippe Garcia, to discuss the differences in the terroir and blends of the Uco Valley and Bordeaux as well as his process for making the blends (interviews in Spanish).
I also caught up with their Argentine winemaker, Ramiro Balliro, to talk about Malbec and why this variety has become Argentina’s most famous export. At least I thought it was Argentina’s most famous export, until Ramiro challenged me with some other famous Argentine exports beginning with M: Messi, Manu Ginóbili, Maradona… Either way, we both agreed that it was a good excuse to drink some Malbec:
Much of my Malbec (and wine tasting) was actually over lunch in the winery restaurant where a five-course meal is paired with their Vista Flores wines.
You can scope out some of the pairings in the gallery and take a quick look at one of the pairings – the holy grail of Argentine food and wine experiences – Malbec and steak:
Bodega Diamandes gallery
Bodega Diamandes Wine Tasting notes
Diamandes Viognier 2017
A bright Viognier with attractive notes of stone fruits and white flowers, back by a fresh acidity that gives it a precise and lean finish.
Diamandes Grande Reserve Chardonnay 2016
There’s a fullness and complexity to this Chardonnay achieved from oak-ageing in barrels however on the nose this white wine still shows plenty of bright citrus and stone fruit aromas, as well as a crisp acidity on the palate.
Diamandes Malbec 2014
Bright red fruits and light floral notes show this Malbec as youthful, despite being four years old today. There is spice and structure from oak ageing, but ultimately this is a Malbec which is perfect to enjoy today.
Diamandes Grande Reserve 2013
A blend of mainly Malbec with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, this blend has more time in barrel and offers much fuller and concentrated fruit. The Cabernet gives it a spicy backbone which nicely frames the fleshier fruits of the Malbec. Ageworthy.
My visit to Diamandes was in association with Wine Paths: offering luxury and exclusive wine tours and experiences in wine regions around the world.
