Every now and then you find a bottle of wine which you just adore. The Crios from Argentina is such a wine. The wine is made by Susana Balbo at Dominio del Plata in the Mendoza region of Argentina.

Who is Susana Balbo?

Crios Cabernet Sauvignon

In 1981 Susana became the first women in Argentina to receive a degree in oenology. She is also a world-renowned wine consultant and has worked with wineries in Spain, Chile, Italy and Australia.  The Drink Business Magazine awarded her Woman of they year in 2015. She began Susana Balbo Wines in 1999.  Crios actually means ‘offspring’ and the illustration on the label of the three hands represent her and her two children.

The Crios range are vibrant wines which Susana encourages you to drink when they are youthful to appreciate their fresh fruit flavours. The grapes are hand-picked to ensure the finest quality is maintained. For me Sundays are usually my day for hanging about the house, catching up on writing, doing housework (someone has to) and of course enjoying a glass of wine on the couch with my feet up.  One of life’s simple pleasures which never gets old.

…..reveals a vibrant crimson shade..

On opening the bottle I was immediately struck by an intensely pleasant aroma of black cherries, plums and a hint of liquorice. At first the wine appears a deep ruby but as you tip the glass slightly to appreciate the colour it reveals a vibrant crimson shade to it. On taste the ripe fruits fill the mouth with this full-bodied red. There are warming hints of spice and ginger  which add to its long finish.  In the background I tasted pepper but only the faintest indication of vanilla from the French oak where the wine was aged.

Crimson Colour

..a pleasure to drink, to share and to enjoy..

In terms of what to pair it with not every bottle of red needs to find itself served with a steak, although this would go very nicely with one.  I enjoyed it leisurely on the couch with some mature cheddar cheese, crackers and parma ham.  A light an enjoyable plate which complimented the wine perfectly.

Crios is a pleasure to drink, to share and to enjoy. Try it with dinner at home, at a BBQ with friends and certainly ask for a glass if you see it on a wine menu when you are out.  You can pick up a bottle for about €16 in the Arnotts branch of Wines Direct and I highly recommend that you do.

Cheese & Crackers