2012 A Lisa

The 2012 A Lisa is a fragrant blend of 90% Malbec, 9% Merlot and a pinch of Petit Verdot from their estate vineyards planted in 2004 and grapes purchased from local grape growers. It is a wine of great freshness, with notes of violets, lilies, pomegranates, wild strawberries and a chalky sensation, The palate is medium-bodied, but feels rather light on its feet, with the freshness of blood oranges. It has great length and a mineral, almost salty finish. A great wine and a great value! Drink 2014-2017. Noemia is the name of the winery in Rio Negro of Noemi Marone Cinzano and Hans Vinding-Diers. Hans is the son of Peter Vinding-Diers, and cousin of Peter Sisseck of Pingus fame in Ribera del Duero. Noemi used to own Argiano in Montalcino, Italy, where Hans is still the winemaker. They arrived in Patagonia, fell in love with the place and found some old vineyards on limestone, silt, tuff, sand and gravel soils that form the core of their estate. The vineyards are biodynamically farmed and are the source for their best wines. Hans is also producing some awesome Pinot Noir for Chacras, the property belonging to Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, from similarly old vines next door. They produce 100,000 bottles of wine yearly, which are fermented with indigenous yeasts in 2,500-liter cement vats and aged in the most exquisite French oak barrels. I had a real coup de coeur with Noemia’s wines, which stood head and shoulders above most others in a large tasting with their bright personality, subdued minerality and showy aromas. I met briefly with Hans in Mendoza, talked about wine, Spain, Portugal and lots of other things, and was lucky enough to drink a bottle of the rare Noemia 2, which is produced in tiny quantities only in the vintages he feels are good for Cabernet Sauvignon, a rarity, as all other wines are Malbec-based. He really reminds me of his cousin Peter; they both learned wine from Hans’ father and they learned it well. I’m looking forward to visiting their property and tasting more vintages of their wines. One of the stars of Argentina and a name to follow. Importer: Vias Imports Ltd., tel. (212) 629-0200; www.viaswine.com