EL
COMANDANTE Chardonnay 2010, Argentina, 13.5%, Mannings Food Emporium, Bradley’s
Off Licence and many other outlets.
This 2010 Chardonnay picked up
a bronze award at the International Wine Challenge, a distinction proudly worn
on the front label. On the back, you will see the Mendoza winery is Irish
owned, established by an army man, hence the name.
No oak and no complications.
Just a lovely young Chardonnay, dry, fresh and fruity. Didn't need any
comandante ordering me to get friendly with this young Argentinean.
Colour is pale with tints of
green and the nose is moderately aromatic, with hints of gooseberry. In the
mouth it is fresh and crisp, fruity (gooseberry and citrus traces) with a
lively and lengthy finish.
Not a high priced wine but a
good one and worthy of your consideration.
Naturally
enough, the winery was delighted with the bronze medal and announced it as
follows in June 2011:
At the recent London Wine Fair Irish owned winery El Comandante won
awards as part of the International Wine Challenge. Wine Producer Tom Lynch is
delighted to announce the both El Comandante's 2009 Malbec and 2010 Chardonnay
won Bronze Medals. That it is the first time that the wine has entered into any
international competition means that a Bronze Medal is quite an achievement,
especially as this was only the second vintage from this winery.
There
is a sad note here too as Michael Lynch, the founder, died shortly after the
wine was first imported. You may see all the information here
