The 2006 Broquel Chardonnay. Malolactic fermentation for 25% of the wine occurred in new French and American oak, the balance in tank, followed by 9 months aging sur-lie. Light gold colored, it exhibits toasty oak notes, apple, pear, and tropical fruit aromas. The wine has crisp acidity, excellent balance, and a lengthy finish. Drink it over the next 1-2 years. Broquel is the winery’s mid-range series. Each of them is an excellent value.Trapiche is best known for its value-priced wines, a number of which are listed at the end of this report in the Best Buy charts. However, the mid-range and upper end of the Trapiche portfolio offer some super wines that should not be missed.Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; www.trapiche.com.ar

A nice tangy lime note drives the fig and pear fruit through a racy finish in this tasty white. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.??–JM??Region: Argentina / Mendoza Select to Add

With this wine, you’ll get a solid blast of oak and butter on the nose, which is backed by orange, melon and nectarine flavors. There’s acidity and kick to it, but also some softer butterscotch and citrus pith notes. More than good by Argentine standards.——M.S.(5/1/2008)—— 87