Luján de Cuyo, Argentina

Last night I was thinking about today and plans. I was reflecting on my wine tasting experience and how it wasn’t quite how I had imagined my experience in Mendoza would be. I had looked forward to this destination from the start, so I resolved that I would try an find a day tour even if it broke the budget. I woke up about 8am and messaged a bike tour I had read about last night. Martin’s bike tours could fit me on the full day tour if I could get to the starting point. It felt like fate so I dressed and ate quickly before getting a taxi to Luján de cuyo. I made it, 20minutes late but it wasn’t a issue. Martin was leading the tour and I was joined by 2 friendly Americans. With the sun shining as we set off on our bikes, I was already feeling great about my impulsive decision. Our first winery was actually one I visited on Tuesday, Weinart, but I had a completely different experience. This time we tried 4 wines, all different from the first visit. Apparently the winemaker tastes a few each day and only a little, so once open they are left for the visitors to sample as part of tastings. It is pot luck as to what you try. They were all tasty but I preferred the Cabernet Sauvignon. The final taste came from a fifth bottle that the lady pulled from underneath the bar, now I don’t know if it was that pot luck helping, she liked us or I am now viewed as a regular but she poured us a taste of the Malbec 1977. The first production, one of the 300 remaining, such an honour. It tasted great, a little strange to someone who is used to newer wines but I was buzzing from the experience. Our next vineyard was about 6km away, and cycling was a little harder! Scenery was fabulous though, with vines on one side and mountains behind. This was a smaller producer, Carmelo Patti, who believes in ageing more in the bottle than the cask and did a lot of the bottle finishing process by hand. We tasted a Malbec 2013, which has won numerous commendations and they have sold out of the production (it was my favourite). Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and then a blend called Gran assemblage 2008 which is 47%cab sav, 25% malbec, 19% merlot & 9% cab franc. I have also noted that their Cabernet franc 2013 has just won a top award so will be looking out for that on my travels. I really loved all their wines and felt it was a shame I couldn’t buy any but they have given me a UK importers details for when I am home and have some money. We continued on our journey to our final winery and lunch stop, Nieto Senetiner. I hadn’t realised a top lunch was included, and our mini empanadas followed by Asado Lomo (steak fillet) was out of this world. Oh yes, unlimited wine as well. We had a white semillion with the empanadas followed by a Malbec and then a Bonarda. I had never heard of this heavier wine but it was delicious. Our dessert of plums stewed in…..yes, Malbec! was accompanied by a port type Malbec called Last Harvest as it is made with mature fruit. This is going on the list as well of ones to find when I get home. We then had the tasting….it is all a little blurry now, we had a C******nay 2015, a Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 & a Malbec 2013 and all I can say is they were nice but I preferred the lunch choices I’ve mentioned. We are all a little wobbly as we cycle back towards the bike shop. Our last stop is at a family store who make chutneys,jams, liquors and after a few samples we finished the day on a shot of absinthe!!! We all got back safely and Martin kindly dropped me back at the house. It was a truly memorable day that epitomised everything I hoped to experience in Mendoza.