Susana Balbo - Leading Winemaker and Innovator
Susana Balbo is a leader in many ways - as a female winemaker, as an innovator and advocate for the environment.
She began her career in winemaking in 1981 when she graduated with a degree in oenology and became the first female winemaker in Argentina. Her career led her to Salta at Michel Torino winery and then toMartins and Catena Zapata. She went open to consult at various wineries throughout the world, again as the first Argentinian female winemaker. In 1999 her dream of making her own wine and winery came true - Susana Balbo Wines was founded in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. In 2012, she was recognized as one of the "Most influental women wine-makers" & 2015 "Woman of the year" and 2018 “The 10 most influential women in the wine world” by The Drink Business magazine. Over the years her wines have won numerous awards, grown steadily in the marketplace and expanded into a family business with her son José, a winemaker in his own right, and her daughter Ana on the business side. Susana Balbo is a winemaker inspired by the land. She is a pioneer in the Argentinian winemaking. Her wines are a true expression of the terroir. Through efforts in the vineyard and winery such as sustainability, no chemicals or pesticides, water management with drip irrigation, recycling water, reducing packaging weight … she truly respects the land wants to preserve the environment for future generations.
The grapes are from Finca La Delfina, Altamira, Uco Valley in Mendoza region, which is at the foothills of the Andes. The vineyards altitude is 1,050m. Snow and ice melts and provides natural water supply for the wines, as well as wind protection from the east, fertile rich lands and a diverse microclimate.
Susana Balbo Signature Malbec is a favorite of mine. It is a blend of 95% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. The grapes are hand harvested, destemmed & lightly crushed. Pumping over and delestage 3 times a day. Max. Temp. 28°C. Extended maceration 35 days. The wine aging is 13 months in 30% new French oak barrels and 70% second use French oak barrels.
This wine is a beautiful purple color. It has aromas of raspberry, cherry, blueberry, plum and spice. The palate is dry and is chock full of ripe plums, raspberry, cherry, vanilla, mint, cinnamon, red pepper and savory olives, cocoa. The ripe fruit, elegantly well integrated oak and tannins are just lovely. This wine is a true expression of Susana Balbo and the land that she loves.
Pair with perfect for a grill/cookout; pair with grilled beef kebabs, pork chops or, peppered game meats.
My video review on this wine: Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2016
