Elegant South American Wines

It is a generally held belief that all New World wines are powerful, full of fruit, and perhaps a little brash. Whilst there are certainly many examples which support this notion, it is far from being a universal truth. In South America, there are many vineyards planted in cool climate, mountainous regions, and these can be as subtle and delicate as any European wine.
A good example is the Julio Bouchon Carmenere Reserva. This has a solid gratifying core of fruit, but presents it with an elegance reminiscent of a fine St Emilion from Bordeaux. A cool mouthfeel and soft tannins combine to make this a wine one can readily enjoy in the summer. Although it has plenty of structure to stand up to pairing with food, it is a long way from the blockbuster red some might anticipate.
Another excellent example is the Bosca Chardonnay Finca Los Nobles from Argentina. This has a real minerality, and an abundance of citrus flavours to complement its’ depth of flavour, and surprising length. The closest comparison I can find is to a Chassagne Montrachet from Burgundy, and it is remarkable value in that company.
These are just two examples of wines which might just surprise with their complexity and sheer class. Many others can be found in the region, and on the Sabor wine list!