Alfredo Roca, Reserva de Familia, Pinot Noir 2004, USD 24
A Pinot Noir from San Rafael Valley, South Mendoza. Impressive Pinot with typicity and terroir expression. Wide palate of red cherries and red plum sour and keeping some delicate roundness in line with a Pinot Noir. Not over fruits neither sweetness or oaky stuff. No black fruits either. I´d say a Pinot of classical expression well done in San Rafael Valley by a fine winery.
It should get better a couple of years ahead given the firm and well developed tannins. For now an 89 points PN worthwhile the price paid locally.
see the 2002 vintage recently tasted here
A small note: San Rafael Valley and General Alvear Dpt (South of Mendoza),the very North of Patagonia (lets say Catriel Valley in Rio Negro Prv and Añelo Valley in Neuquen Prv) ,and South of La Pampa Prv (lets say 25 de Mayo Valley) give some of the Argentina´s reds of highest quality. The wide palate with fully expressed red fruits and tannins transform a Malbec or a Merlot, and sometimes a Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc or a Pinot Noir in outrageous wines. I´ve seen this with Chard too. Those wines are worthwhile follow trough several years (kind of 6-10 yrs) of cellar. They depart from the fully matured and liveness of traditional central (Maipu & Lujan de Cuyo Dpts) and high (Uco Valley) Mendoza, and the sourness & sweet compote cook of Patagonia. Few wines and wine regions in Argentina are this fine and high quality (i.e. Central Mendoza, Uco Valley, South Mendoza & around, and North Patagonia). I´m used to see unbalanced wines from Salta, Catamarca and La Rioja Prvs, or weak wines from San Juan Prv to make a rule of it (at least up to this point in time).
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