Susana Balbo Tradición Selección de Barricas Red Blend 2022
Full-bodied dry red blend crafted with a philosophy focused on elegance, balance, and modern New World sophistication. · Susana Balbo Wines, founded by Susana Balbo—Argentina's first female winemaker and an iconic figure in the global wine industry—located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. The winery is family-owned, highly respected, and operates in the premium to luxury tier, known for innovation, precision, and elegance.
Vintage: 2022, a generally very good and balanced growing season in Mendoza characterized by cooler nights and healthy fruit, yielding wines with vibrant acidity, concentrated flavors, and excellent structural balance.
Type
Full-bodied dry red blend crafted with a philosophy focused on elegance, balance, and modern New World sophistication.
Producer
Susana Balbo Wines, founded by Susana Balbo—Argentina's first female winemaker and an iconic figure in the global wine industry—located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. The winery is family-owned, highly respected, and operates in the premium to luxury tier, known for innovation, precision, and elegance.
Country
Argentina, a New World powerhouse celebrated for high-altitude viticulture, rich history driven by European immigrants, and its dominance as the global champion of Malbec and elegant mountain-grown blends.
Vintage
2022, a generally very good and balanced growing season in Mendoza characterized by cooler nights and healthy fruit, yielding wines with vibrant acidity, concentrated flavors, and excellent structural balance.
Region & Appellation
Mendoza, Argentina. Specifically drawing from premium sub-regions like Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley within Mendoza, which form the heart of Argentina's high-altitude fine wine production.
Grape Varieties
A carefully crafted Bordeaux-style or Rhône-leaning red blend dominated by Malbec, complemented by varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, bringing floral notes, structure, and complexity.
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby-red with violet highlights and a youthful purple rim, showing medium-plus to high visual concentration and moderate legs that indicate good alcohol and glycerin content.
Aroma Profile
Intense and complex nose featuring primary aromas of ripe black plums, blackberries, and violets, layered with secondary and tertiary notes of sweet spices, vanilla, tobacco, and subtle earthy undertones from barrel aging.
Tasting Notes
A rich and harmonious palate introduction that expands into a velvety mid-palate filled with dark fruit and spice, leading to a long, clean, and elegant finish with beautifully integrated structural elements.
Flavor Profile
Flavors of ripe blackberry, black cherry, and cassis, complemented by secondary notes of mocha, sweet pipe tobacco, black pepper, and a delicate touch of graphite and oak-driven vanilla.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a plush, velvety texture, polished mouthfeel, and a dense core of fruit extract balanced seamlessly by fine-grained tannins.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-high acidity providing a refreshing, food-friendly lift, accompanied by ripe, velvety, fine-grained tannins that offer structure without aggressiveness.
Sweetness Level
Dry, with negligible residual sugar, well-balanced by lush fruit ripeness and refreshing acidity.
Alcohol Content
Approximately 14.0% to 14.5% ABV, typical for a rich Mendoza mountain red, providing warmth and body without feeling heavy or hot.
Aging & Oak
Aged in French oak barrels (a mix of new and used) for several months, imparting subtle hints of vanilla, toast, and fine spice while allowing the pure varietal fruit character to shine.
Food Pairings
Ideal for winter dining in South America: hearty grilled meats like Argentine asado, beef empanadas, braised short ribs, or rich mushroom risotto. The tannins and body cut through rich proteins while matching intense savory flavors.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C in a large Bordeaux-style red wine glass. Decant for 30 to 45 minutes to let the aromas open up. Best enjoyed during cooler months or crisp evenings.
Price Range
Estimated retail price in the $25 to $40 USD range, representing solid premium value given the high pedigree of the winemaker.
Quality Assessment
Scored consistently around 90-93 points by major wine critics, placing it firmly in the premium quality tier with excellent craftsmanship and reliable vintage consistency.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested grapes sorted meticulously, cold-soaked for color and flavor extraction, fermented in temperature-controlled tanks with wild and cultured yeasts, followed by gentle basket pressing and barrel maturation.
Terroir
High-altitude desert terroir of Mendoza, featuring alluvial soils with sand, clay, and gravel. The extreme diurnal temperature variation (warm sunny days and cold mountain nights) preserves natural acidity and thickens grape skins.
History & Heritage
Established by Susana Balbo in 1999 after years of consulting for major wineries. She has been a trailblazer for Argentine winemaking, earning global acclaim and elevating the international reputation of Mendoza wines.
Interesting Facts
Susana Balbo was named one of the 'Most Influential Women in Wine' and served as the first female president of Wines of Argentina.
Cellaring Potential
Approachable now after brief aeration, but will age gracefully for 5 to 8 years in proper cellar conditions, developing more complex tertiary leather and earth characteristics over time.
Similar Wines
Catena Zapata Alta Red Blend, Achaval-Ferrer Quorum, Trapiche Medalla Red Blend, or Montes Folly Syrah.