Argentinean Wines – Bodegas Los Haroldos

On 20th February we were delighted to welcome to Nickolls & Perks Lee Evans and Diego Torres, to conduct a tasting of an enticing selection of wines from Bodega Los Haroldos.

The tasting was held in our 16th Century cellars in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Diego, who joined Bodega Los Haroldos in June 2014, took us through a brief history of Argentinean wine before delving into the history of Familia Falesco:

Bodega Los Haroldos is owned by ‘Familia Falasco’ who have over 70 years’ experience producing fine wines at premier high altitude vineyards sites in Mendoza, Argentina’s most important wine region.  Their history began in 1939 when Octavio Rufino Falasco emigrated to Argentina from Italy and initially sold his wine from a barrel on the front of his bike. Over time he bought land and established a winery in San Martin, East Mendoza. Today second generation Jorge Daniel Falasco leads the destiny of this family business and many of the third generation already work with him, ensuring the future of the family’s involvement in the production of fine wines.

 The Wines

2013 Los Haroldos Torrontes Maipu Mendoza

“Very aromatic nose, with nuances of elderflower, jasmine and rose prominent initially. Tropical fruits follow such as pineapple and kiwi. The palate offers a fresh acidity and is pleasantly perfumed with flavours of peaches and mangos coming through. A very well balanced wine offering fantastic value for money.”

2013 Los Haroldos Chardonnay Uco Valley Mendoza

“This unoaked Chardonnay comes from the fantastic La Consulta, Uco Valley in Mendoza. The nose is very clean offering notes of banana, melon and red apple. The palate offers flavours of pineapple and banana again couple with a fresh acidity. A fruity wine with admirable complexity. Brilliant value for money here.”

2013 Los Haroldos Cabernet Sauvignon Maipu Mendoza

“Deep purple colour, with dark tones. The nose is Intense and complex in which aromas of vanilla a prevalent. Strawberry and blackcurrants come through followed by hints of black pepper and leather. The wine is well structured with ripe tannins and a balanced acidity.”

2013 Los Haroldos Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza

“Deep purple colour, with dark tones. The nose is Intense and complex in which aromas of vanilla a prevalent. Strawberry and blackcurrants come through followed by hints of black pepper and leather. The wine is well structured with ripe tannins and a balanced acidity.”

2012 Los Haroldos ´Oak´ Mendoza Malbec

“This Malbec comes from the fantastic La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza. The wine is aged in both French and American oak casks for six months. The nose offers aromas of blackcurrant, raspberry and black cherry. Coffee, chocolate and even heather begin to come through with sweet cigar box and tobacco following. The silky tannins are harmoniously balanced by the use of oak. This is lovely wine.”

2011 Los Haroldos Seleccion de Familia Malbec Uco Valley Mendoza

The Seleccion de Familia Malbec is made in the fabulous Uco Valley, considered done of the top regions in Mendoza. Aged for ten months in French oak, this wine offers intriguing aromas of red berries, blackcurrants, violets, vanilla and mocha.

The palate has an attractive weight to it with black fruits coming to the fore. This wine is extremely well balanced with a lingering finish. Fantastic value again here from Bodega Los Haroldos.

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The evening proved to be a very educational and interesting one, with both Lee and Diego sharing their expertise in not only Bodega Los Haroldos but in the world of Argentinian wine also.

All of the wines on taste showed very well, and for me the tasting confirmed the notion that the wines from Bodega Los Haroldos are of high quality and offer fantastic value for money.

We certainly look forward to welcoming them both Lee and Diego back to Nickolls & Perks soon.

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