Argentina Wine Guide.com

Pulenta Estate VI Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Bodega

Range

Wine

Vintage

Origin

Price

Pulenta Estate

n/a

VI Sauvignon Blanc

2006

Alto Agrelo, Mendoza

AR$29 (US$9)

Appearance

Pale and clear with green hues and a silvery sheen.

Nose

Fresh, lifted aromas with gooseberries giving way to tropical fruits - pineapple, with some sweet lime.

Palate

Medium-bodied for a Sauvignon Blanc. Gentle tropical fruit well-balanced with fresh citric acidity. Gooseberries and limes dominate on the satisfactory finish.

Overall

An attractive nose and a fresh, vibrant palate make this Sauvignon Blanc from Hugo and Eduardo Pulenta well worthwhile. Growing conditions at Alto Agrelo - on the south side of the Río Mendoza, next to the road to Chile - are considered amongst the best in Luján, with high temperature differential between day and night, and this shows in the highly aromatic qualities of this wine. It's got quite a lot of tropical fruit compared to Sauvignons from cooler parts of the world, but still retains plenty of varietal character. This suggests the grapes may have been brought in over several days or more: it is an increasingly common tactic in Mendoza, where the hot climate can result in overcooked Sauvignon Blanc, to bring some fruit in early for the acidic qualities, and allow the rest to develop higher sugars and tropical fruit characters. The balance is just on the fresh and acidic side, which will make for pleasant summer drinking. Fair value.

***+

(November 06)