Mendoza Wine Tour: Salentein
So with green bell pepper Cabernet Franc on the brain, we headed to Bodegas Salentein for our second stop. Salentein is an upscale version of  Finca El Portillo winery and had the most impressive grounds we saw this trip.
You first enter a modern building which houses a restaurant, special tasting area, and an art gallery. The tour takes you through their showcase vineyards with separate the visitor building from the modern winemaking/storage building.
Our guide was somewhat pained at the thought of me taking my delicate peeptoe heels across the gravel walks, but that’s why I only buy comfortable shoes I can move in J In fact, I found the gravel easier to navigate than the stone floors I subsequently skidded across in my leather soles.
They make wine on a grand scale and we meandered through many impressive rooms including a cellar that doubled as space for piano performances.
The Salentein Reserve tasting included with the tour offered a 2010 Chardonnay which was fruity and buttery, and altogether unmemorable. The 2009 Pinot Noir was good, with notes of strawberries or raspberries and a beautiful rich color unusual to pinots. The 2009 Malbec was, well, standard.
We then walked back to main building where we had the option of visiting an art gallery, but decided to do the Primus Tasting instead (~$65), since we’d be able to taste <$100 that were out of our price range. It turned out to be a very good choice.
We did the tasting outside overlooking the mountains. And they gave us HUGE pours, essentially a glass of each wine.
They also brought out complimentary pairings which were amazing. I mean the wines were good, but they were even better with pairings. And at this point breakfast had been about 6 hours ago, so we were grateful for anything that could help absorb some of the alcohol.
The roasted tomato spread went best with their 2005 Primus Malbec which wound up being our favorite (both the food and the wine). The chicken salad was a great combo with the 2007 Primus Pinot Noir and the mushroom mixture was divine with the 2004 Merlot, which was our second favorite wine.
Overall we thought the wines were somewhat overpriced in comparison to other wineries and they weren’t unique enough to want to bring some home to share. If you see their wines in a restaurant though, you won’t be disappointed if you order.
Other Uco Valley Tastings:
Lujan de Cuyo Valley Tastings:
Belasco de Boquedano Alta Vista Achaval Ferrer
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Heels First is the travels and tribulations of two twenty-something frequent fliers jumping into the world of travel. Join Keri and Jeanne as they tackle mileage runs, elite status, and of course–the perfect travel accessories.
I needed to thank you for this great read!! I certainly loved every little bit of it.
I have got you book marked to check out new things
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