At the recently concluded Decanter World Wine Awards 2023, the BenMarco range of wines, crafted by renowned Argentine winemaker Susana Balbo, walked away with no less than three awards. The label, which stands as a testament to the perfect blend of tradition, innovation, and a deep connection to the land, copped awards in the bronze, silver and platinum categories, respectively. With a history rooted in Argentina’s winemaking heritage and a commitment to quality, BenMarco wines have captured the essence of the region’s terroir while embracing modern techniques to produce exceptional bottles that are celebrated by wine enthusiasts worldwide.

Susana Balbo, often referred to as the Queen of Torrontés due to her pioneering work with the Torrontés grape variety, has played a pivotal role in shaping Argentina’s wine industry. Her dedication to producing wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the country’s diverse terroirs has earned her a well-deserved reputation for excellence. The BenMarco range, a labour of love and expertise, showcases Susana Balbo’s unwavering passion for winemaking and her profound understanding of Argentina’s viticultural landscape. These wines are a tribute to the best terroirs of Mendoza and reflect what well curated vineyards can produce naturally, that is, exceptionally crafted vintages that delight the palate.

The BenMarco range’s foundation is built upon the concept of high- quality, terroir-driven wines which see Susana Balbo and her team carefully select vineyard sites across Argentina that offer distinct microclimates, altitudes, and soil compositions. This deliberate approach allows them to cultivate grapes with unique flavours and aromas that, when combined, contribute to the complexity and individuality of each wine in the BenMarco line-up. Whether it’s the high-altitude vineyards or the old-vine Malbec plots in Mendoza, every location contributes its own unique character to the final vintage produced. One of the most celebrated aspects of the BenMarco range is its exploration of indigenous grape varieties, particularly Torrontés and Malbec, Argentina’s flagship white and red varieties, respectively.

Susana Balbo’s expertise in working with Torrontés grapes — which produce wines that are aromatic, floral, as well as intensely expressive — has resulted in vintages that represent a perfect balance between the grape’s natural characteristics and a refined elegance that elevates it to international acclaim. BenMarco’s Malbec, a wine that showcases the depth and potential of Argentina’s most iconic red grape variety, thrives in the country’s diverse terroirs, producing wines that range from fruit-forward and approachable, to complex and age-worthy. Susana Balbo’s approach to Malbec involves careful vineyard selection, meticulous attention to detail during winemaking, and a dedication to crafting wines that reflect the grape’s true character.

The result is a series of BenMarco Malbec wines that offer a harmonious interplay of ripe fruit flavours, refined tannins, and a sense of place that speaks to the rich tapestry of Argentina’s wine regions. Thursday Food explores BenMarco by introducing the three Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2023 awardees:

BenMarco Malbec de Los Chacayes 2021 is a 100 per cent Malbec produced from grapes grown at 1,110 metres above sea level in the Los Chacayes area of Mendoza’s Uco Valley. A bronze medal winner at the DWWA 2023, with a final score of 87 points, it reflects the soils of Los Chacayes which are alluvial (round stones) and colluvial (irregular square gravel), with a sandy loam texture that provides excellent drainage for the vines. The resulting wine is endowed with aromas of very ripe black fruits with savoury undertones on the nose, while also expressing notes of violets. In the mouth, it is easy to drink with a marked acidity, firm tannins, and an elegant, lengthy finish. This Malbec has a 14.5 per cent alcoholic volume and was the recipient of a 93-point score in the Descorchados 2023 ranking report for Argentina.

BenMarco Expresivo de Gualtallary 2021 is a red wine blend that is made up of 85 per cent Malbec and 15 per cent Cabernet Franc from grapes grown at its vineyards in the Gualtallary area of Tupungato, Mendoza — one of the highest spots in Argentina. This DWWA 2023 silver medal winner, with a score of 91 points, originated from vines planted higher than 4,265 ft. in altitude, with cold and austere weather conditions allowing them to grow strong while having intense aromas. This vintage, which also received a 95-point score in James Sucking’s 2023 tasting report, is a lineal, fresh wine that has restrained aromas of pristine blue fruits like blackberries, along with pepper tree and violets. These scents perfectly complement its taste in the mouth, which is sapid and juicy on the palate. Its mineral tones also stand out, along with its balanced natural acidity, firm tannins, and silky texture that all culminate a long finish.

Ben Marco Sin Límites Malbec de Gualtallary 2021 is a 100 per cent varietal — produced from grapes grown in Gualtallary — that achieved the highest-possible score of 97 points at the DWWA 2023. This vintage also amassed top scores for Argentina in the Descorchados 2023 ranking report (95 points), James Suckling tasting report (94 points), and the Vinous November 2022 tasting report (93 points). The wine was born from soil composed of an accumulation of sand and some silt on calcareous material, resulting in aromatic notes of graphite, smouldering forest floor, sauteed mushroom richness, spices and roses. In the mouth, rippling blue fruit energises the palate, being both fluid and engaging. The maturity and grace of its chalky tannins give way to a balanced body and structure that sees the wine ending in a long, ash-infused finish. Its complexity, great typicity and friendly profile make it a versatile red that is an honest reflection of its terroir.

The BenMarco range of wines by Susana Balbo stand as yet another symbol of the depth of Argentina’s winemaking prowess and its ability to continue producing world-class, award-winning wines. As this range continues to evolve and captivate palates around the world, it solidifies its place in the pantheon of great Argentine wines. Salud!