Crios (By Susana Balbo)

The most recognized and well-known female enologist in Argentina, Susana Balbo has been instrumental in the transformation of quality table wines in Argentinean viticulture. She is most known for her innovation and progressive spirit in developing wines with unique character and quality, and she is the first Argentinean enologist ever hired as a consultant by European wineries.

Susana graduated "cum laude" in Enology in 1981, and in 1998 she was hired by Nicolas Catena to design and direct the construction of Bodega Catena Zapata, one of the most important and modern winemaking facilities in Argentina.

At Dominio del Plata, her family's winery in the famed Mendoza wine region of Argentina, Susana crafts her own signature label wines. They embody the complexity of various grapes, along with her creativity as an enologist, to produce fine wines that express prestige, power and finesse.

For her Crios label, which means "offspring" (as in children), Susana selected a word to express the notion that these are wines that have not quite "grown up" to the same level of quality and maturity as her more expensive signature-label wines, but they receive the same loving care and attention throughout the winemaking process. The three hands on the label, inspired by a Mayan artifact, represent Susana and her two children. By definition, Crios is to be enjoyed while still young and vibrant. The Crios label includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Bonarda, Malbec, Chardonnay, Torrontes and Rosé of Malbec.

Crios de Susana Balbo wines are produced under Dominio del Plata's code of sustainable agriculture.

Jay Miller, writing for Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, states: "The Crios de Susana Balbo label has rapidly become synonymous with great value. Susana Balbo is also widely credited with developing the modern style of Torrontes; hers remains the benchmark." (Issue #180, December 2008)