Bodega Flechas de los Andes

What do you do when you have a shit tonne of money (like old school 17th century money), you build a winery in Mendoza of course. Welcome to Flechas de los Andes, owned by the Rothschild family, yes the family who financed Napoleon’s wars, helped classify french wines (and made sure 2 of theirs were in the top 5) those Rothschilds. Don’t get me wrong, I’m impressed by what they have built here, but I always have reservations about how good the wine is that the big producers make. I tend to feel that a lot is lost when wine operations become so big and they just chase consumer dollars. I prefer the smaller producers as I think that they chase quality over volume. Anyway we’re here, it’s not open to the public so I’m not complaining…let’s taste some wine!

We are taken into the degustation room and told the history of the Rothschild family and about their wineries in France, Spain, New Zealand, South Africa and here (obviously). The architect built this complex with details of the family crest everywhere – the 5 arrows representing the 5 brothers of the family. I’m getting bored trying to translate this all from spanish to english in my brain, Agus sees this and translates on the fly for me…I just want to get to the wine. Finally we take a trip downstairs to check ou their cellar and production facilities. Alfie doesn’t want any part of this so Agus escorts him outside into the rock garden. Santi, Caro and I take the manufacturing tour. This I can understand (even in Spanish) and I find it enjoyable, but I really just want to taste the wine, after-all it’s now past midday. Let’s get to it! Finally back up to the tasting room and Agus joins us, we give Alfie his iPad so we can enjoy some peace and quite (we need to cut back on screen time as soon as we return to BA). We taste 4 wines…the first is a Rose only made from Tannat grapes which is very different as most here are made with Malbec grapes. The next blend of Malbec, Cab. Sauv., Petit Verdot under their Punta label is meh pass, but the final 2 are really good. A new release for the winery this year is the Cabernet Franc and then their Reserve Malbec – boom they wake up my pallet! We take these bottles with us downstairs for lunch.

Lunch is a traditional Argentinian affair with a Mendocino twist. We’re in the dining room of the guest residence. The actual hotel guests are out in the vineyards as it is Vendemia (wine week) in Mendoza – most vineyards are shut to tourists but thanks to Vale we are able to get into places most can’t. We meet our cocinera Marita, she has the parrilla fired up with old grape vine wood, ojo de bife is slow cooking over the coals. Empanadas with only a small amount of olives (so as to not over power the wine with saltiness) are served up first and Alfie downs 2 of them..he also eats half of his rib eye steak – his Argentinian genes are show up in force today. He also smashed a bowl of broccoli before the meal started..this kid has weird tastes but hey green veggies are good for him so that’s a win.

After lunch we take a stroll through the vineyard. Alfie runs free and explores the rows of grape vines. He finally works out what all the fuss is about and starts trying grapes straight off the vine – I’m pretty sure that this is the first time he’s seen grapes growing on a vine and he is fascinated. I hang back with him whilst the others go inside for coffee. He is now squashing grapes in his hand and telling me that they are sweet or sour (maybe he got a green one)…or perhaps he is a future viñero?

We’re off home now & Alfie is hyped up to see the “baby cats” – there is a terbal (stray) cat with 4 kittens at the house we have rented. Unfortunately the drive is not long enough for him to nap, something he desperately needs to do these days. It’s been hot all week here (low 30’s C) so we all take a dip in the pool..it’s a bit cold though which is a shock for Alfie when Agus jumps in with him. Otro asadito y vino tinto para cenar, this time we cook matambre (pork belly) and pretty soon after we’re all off to sleep.