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South American Wines
An Introduction to the Wines of South America for Visitors to Peru
Wines from Argentina: Introduction / Regions / Notable Producers / Reviews
Wine Reviews: Luigi Bosca
2004 Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard D.O.C Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, $22
Full, chewy, doughy, spicy and intensely fruity. This single-vineyard Malbec
offers a little bit of everything, and all in balanced, measured doses. The
cherry and blackberry fruit is bold but pure, while chocolate comes in to darken
things up. A textbook steak and potatoes wine with a bit of complexity, but
mostly it’s about easygoing fun. — M.S. (10/1/2007)
Rating: 92
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2005 Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, $18
An Editors' Choice
This wine is much better than most in its class. The blackberry, graham cracker
and exotic spice notes are particular to Bosca, while additional notes of bacon,
chocolate and nutmeg add to the pleasure. For anyone looking for quintessential
Argentine Malbec at a good price, we say start here. — M.S. (2/1/2008)
Rating: 91
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1997 Luigi Bosca Finca Los Nobles Malbec Verdot Red Blend, Mendoza, $58
This is a stylish throwback, like the new Knicks putting on vintage Frazier
jerseys. The nose is spicy and slightly herbal, with fresh basil, cinnamon and
leather mixing with dried black fruits. Still vital and kicking on the palate,
with juicy plum, blueberry, coffee and chocolate flavors. Toasty and spicy on
the finish; drink or continue to hold. — M.S. (7/1/2005)
Rating: 91
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2003 Luigi Bosca Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, $20
Violet in color, with sweet lilac, plum and graham cracker aromas. A fruitball
of the first order, but one that’s ripe and balanced. The palate pours on
blackberry and chocolate in spades, while the tannins and acids meet in the
middle. Imported by Testa Wines of the World. — M.S. (8/1/2006)
Rating: 90
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2002 Luigi Bosca Gala 2 Bordeaux Blend, Mendoza, $33
An Editors' Choice
Well made and satisfying, from start to finish. This is about as good as it gets
when Argentina tries its hand at blending: the mix is Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab
Franc and Merlot. Smooth and meaty on the palate, with pure plum, currant and
cherry flavors. Spice and extract dominate the finish, with hints of chocolate
and coffee. It’s the whole package. — M.S. (3/1/2005)
Rating: 90
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2002 Luigi Bosca Reserva Syrah, Mendoza, $16
An Editors' Choice
Ripe and rich, with jammy black fruit and plenty of oak-driven bacon on the
nose. This is your prototype modern Syrah, one with cola, raspberry, plum and
chocolate flavors. The tannins are firm but forgiving, and the spice element is
not light years from that of a Rhone wine. Syrah like this could give Malbec
some competition. — M.S. (3/1/2005)
Rating: 89
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2003 Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec, Mendoza, $18
Meaty and slightly savory, with roasted aromas and spice notes mixed in. The
palate is rich and ripe, with blackberry and fudge-based flavors. It’s also
rather different than the average Malbec: the flavor profile doesn’t just
feature jammy berry fruit. There’s smoked meat, raisin and other interesting
things going on. — M.S. (12/1/2006)
Rating: 89
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1997 Luigi Bosca Finca Los Nobles Cabernet Bouchet Red Blend, Argentina, $70
There’s plenty of life in this eight-year-old blend, and the nose is like a brew
of game, herbs, heirloom tomato and savory spices. The palate is plenty deep,
with cherry, blackberry, cumin, oregano and raisin flavors, while the finish is
forward and lively. Put it this way: this is a unique look at Argentinean
winemaking circa the 1990s. — M.S. (7/1/2005)
Rating: 89
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2004 Luigi Bosca Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec, Mendoza, $18
Pure, jammy and heady: voilà, it’s modern Malbec. The palate here is inviting,
with decadent plum and blackberry flavors working in tandem. The finish is plush
at first, with chocolate and espresso notes coming later. With plenty of
virtues, this is a very nice wine from an average vintage. — M.S. (8/1/2007)
Rating: 89
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2004 Luigi Bosca Luigi Bosca Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, $18
Starts out sort of soft and shy, with modest red-fruit aromas. In the mouth,
raspberry and cherry flavors get a quick lift from grabby, firm tannins. And by
the time this baby hits its groove you’re onto a finish defined by a starchy
feel and long-lasting Cabernet essence. Airing is this wine’s best friend;
decant or drink over time. — M.S. (8/1/2007)
Rating: 88
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2005 Luigi Bosca Reserva Chardonnay, Mendoza, $18
Opens with a nice combination of mineral dust and orange marmalade, while the
palate is smooth with the flavors of banana and lemon curd. Suave with a splash
of necessary acidity. As always, Luigi Bosca delivers a very good wine. — M.S.
(11/1/2006)
Rating: 88
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2005 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Malbec, Mendoza, $11
A Best Buy
Hard black fruit and notes of tire rubber and tar indicate that this is a dark,
masculine wine. And while it does offer power, it’s actually quite racy and
balanced in the mouth. Flavorwise, expect black raspberry and some bitter cocoa.
Overall, there’s nothing unripe about it. — M.S. (10/1/2007)
Rating: 88
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2004 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Tempranillo, Mendoza, $10
A Best Buy
Among the small field that is Argentinean Tempranillo, this is a standout. The
nose is full, meaty and ripe, with bacon in the mix. The palate is full-bore and
delivers a blend of cherry, cola and coffee flavors. Big but balanced, and not
to be confused with something Spanish. — M.S. (12/1/2006)
Rating: 88
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2006 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Viognier, Mendoza, $11
A Best Buy
Here and there you’ll find a very well-made Argentine Viognier because the
country’s warmth and the grape can go together. A case in point is this plump,
lush specimen that sports developed lemon and orange flavors and a long,
acid-propelled finish. — M.S. (10/1/2007)
Rating: 88
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2002 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Malbec, Mendoza, $10
A Best Buy
Intriguingly herbal, with spice, leather and oregano aromas as opposed to
Malbec’s more common jammy blueberry and blackberry characteristics. The palate
is moderately juicy, with hints of pepper, baking spices and earth. Different
than the pack, which is admirable. — M.S. (3/1/2005)
Rating: 87
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2003 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Tempranillo, Mendoza, $10
A Best Buy
Perfect color combined with one of the more atypical but interesting bouquets
you’ll find stirs intrigue. Aromas of mint, berry syrup and most of all clove
are intense, while the black licorice and espresso accents on the palate work.
Not Spanish in style nor is it reserved. This is a bruising wine with a unique
Mendoza identity. — M.S. (3/1/2005)
Rating: 87
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2004 Luigi Bosca Gala 2 Cabernet Blend, Mendoza, $35
Butter and dill are the first aromas to make themselves noticed, and below that
there’s raw oak and lighter-weight fruit notes. The palate shows ample resin and
wood notes along with pepper and spice. It’s a good wine with serious intent,
but it seems a little overwooded and a tiny bit green. Cabernet Sauvignon leads
the blend, with Merlot and Cab Franc filling it out. — M.S. (12/1/2007)
Rating: 87
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2006 Luigi Bosca Reserva Pinot Noir, Maipú, $18
An improvement over the dull, mulchy 2005; this wine is still a little earthy,
heavy and gaseous out of the bottle but with airing it offers ripe strawberry
and plum flavors with licorice and tree-bark accents. Solid, a bit tannic and
slightly resiny from barrel aging; but it’s also a legitimate Pinot Noir with
some elevated qualities. — M.S. (8/1/2008)
Rating: 87
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2004 Luigi Bosca Reserva Chardonnay, Mendoza, $15
Quite full and plump, with oily aromas along with hints of wood resin and
nectarine. More citrus than expected on the tongue, primarily overripe white
grapefruit. Somewhat low-acid on the finish, but good overall. — M.S. (3/1/2005)
Rating: 86
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2002 Luigi Bosca Gala 1 Red Blend, Mendoza, $33
Big and rubbery, with an extreme oaky nose. The unconventional blend is Malbec,
Petit Verdot and Tannat, and it focuses mostly on red fruits like rhubarb and
plum. Slightly tannic and hot, but also inspired and properly made. — M.S.
(3/1/2005)
Rating: 86
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2005 Luigi Bosca Gala 3 White Blend, Mendoza, $30
Heavily toasted up front, yielding popcorn, cream soda and ultimately a touch of
pear. The blend is an uncommon trio of Viognier, Chardonnay and Riesling that
results in a meaty palate with hidden acidity and dry citrus flavors. Unusual,
with interesting qualities. As a whole, however, it isn’t outstanding. Imported
by Testa Wines of the World. — M.S. (11/1/2006)
Rating: 86
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2002 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, $10
A Best Buy
Somewhat complex, as it begins with heavy bacon and tire rubber aromas that
ultimately give way to more floral notes. Fairly thick on the palate, with sweet
red fruits, glycerol and tannins. Finishes a touch flat and sugary, with some
Port-like heat. A hard one to peg. — M.S. (3/1/2005)
Rating: 86
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2004 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Chardonnay, Mendoza, $10
A Best Buy
Ripe and a bit prickly on the nose, but it’s way more sturdy than dirty. Flavors
of apple, lemon and orange peel are fine, while the fresh finish is bittered up
a bit by citrus pith — M.S. (3/1/2005)
Rating: 86
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2003 Luigi Bosca Gala 2 Bordeaux Blend, Mendoza, $37
Why this vintage is so much more monotone and raisiny than the lovely ’02 is
anyone’s guess. However, that’s the case. The nose starts out with game and
bacon but it shifts to raisin and prune with airing. The palate, meanwhile, is
also lively at first and then goes raisiny. Very dark but it settles on a single
plane and then stays there. Tannic as well. — M.S. (8/1/2006)
Rating: 85
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2006 Luigi Bosca Riesling, Mendoza, 500 ml, $18
Argentinean Rieslings come along as often as Haley’s comet. But this clean,
round wine is pretty good in its own right. It features dry almond, white pepper
and apple flavors, with additional almond skins on the mineral, lean finish. Not
entirely a novelty with 1,550 cases total production. — M.S. (10/1/2007)
Rating: 85
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2005 Luigi Bosca Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipú, $18
Earthy and seemingly on the edge of being overripe, this is a wine that deals
dark-fruit flavors, a milky, malty underlay, and a fairly sound mouthfeel. Ample
tannins and resiny, peppery afternotes re-announce any previously detected oak,
and like many wines from this vintage it’s overly expressive. — M.S. (5/1/2008)
Rating: 85
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2005 Luigi Bosca D.O.C Single Vineyard
Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, $22
Far less ripe and appealing than the 2004 version. The ’05 comes out of the
chute smelling malty and lactic; airing reveals strawberry milk notes, while the
flavors struggle to express themselves. Sticky, oily and as if someone hit the
mute button along the way. Where’s the ripe, lush quality we’ve come to love
about Argentinean Malbec? — M.S. (5/1/2008)
Rating: 84
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2006 Luigi Bosca Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Mendoza, $18
Quite tropical on the nose, with aromas of pineapple and passion fruit. The
palate is a soft, honeyed bowl of kiwi, melon, cucumber and white pepper, while
the finish is dry and gets more hollow as the wine warms up. Not a classic
Sauvignon, but it has its virtues. — M.S. (10/1/2007)
Rating: 84
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2003 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda
Malbec, Mendoza, $10
Chunky and spicy on the nose, with mid-level plum and black-cherry flavors. More
light than dark, with fleshy fruit that makes an o.k. impression before heading
for the exit. Good but unexciting. — M.S. (7/1/2005)
Rating: 84
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2001 Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec, Mendoza, $16
Slightly sharp but snappy enough to keep you interested. Flavors of red apple,
raspberry and plum control the palate, while moderately hard tannins on the
finish seem to stretch and thin the wine. — M.S. (3/1/2005)
Rating: 84
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2006 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, $11
Decidedly brambly, with murky aromas mixed with rhubarb and pepper. The palate
has a chunky, decent feel to it, but the flavors follow the nose: they are
choppy and peppery. Meets all the standards of an acceptable wine, but could be
much riper and more generous given its provenance. — M.S. (5/1/2008)
Rating: 83
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2005 Luigi Bosca Reserva Pinot Noir, Maipú, $18
Mendoza Pinot Noir is not what you’d call typical or world class. This wine
hints at baked beans and sweet oak, with roasted fruit flavors supported by a
lot of vanilla and resin. Too heavyhanded. — M.S. (12/1/2007)
Rating: 82
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2001 Luigi Bosca Reserva Merlot, Mendoza, $16
Rusty in color, with “country” aromas of sweaty leather, horsehide and hay.
Ponderous on the palate, with sour plum and murky baked fruit. Surely not a
disaster but brings with it some heavy overriding characteristics. — M.S.
(3/1/2005)
Rating: 82
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2004 Luigi Bosca Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, Maipú, $15
Dull passion fruit is about the best you get from the bouquet, while the palate
is weak and watery, with light tropical fruit flavors. Finishes with banana
notes. — M.S. (7/1/2005)
Rating: 81
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2003 Luigi Bosca Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, $18
In general, we’ve been liking Bosca’s wines. But this Cabernet is murky and
tomatoey, with too much stagnant character to earn a better score. Not really up
to par. — M.S. (12/1/2006)
Rating: 81
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2004 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Viognier, Luján de Cuyo, $10
A strange wine with heavy, overripe aromas of burnt grass and melon. No real
fruit to hang your hat on, and nothing much in the way of nuance, feel or
finish. Made by Luigi Bosca. — M.S. (7/1/2005)
Rating: 80
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South American Wines - An Independent Guide to the some of the Best Wines from Peru, Argentina & Chile.
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