Crios Chardonnay

Crios Chardonnay is a 100% Chardonnay from Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced under the Crios label by Susana Balbo Wines—a winery founded by Argentina's first female enologist—this expression balances cool-climate freshness with the textural complexity of partial French oak aging and extended lees contact.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina  |  Style: Partially Oak-Aged Chardonnay  |  Producer: Susana Balbo Wines

Production & Heritage

Susana Balbo established her eponymous winery in Mendoza in 1999, becoming one of the most influential winemakers in Argentina. The Crios line—named for her children—represents the estate's accessible, fruit-forward range sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the Valle de Uco. Grapes are manually harvested, then gently crushed and destemmed before undergoing cold fermentation at 12°C for 20 days using selected yeasts. After primary fermentation, the wine rests on its lees for three months to build body and texture, while 50% of the blend is aged in second and third-use French oak barrels—a deliberate choice that imparts subtle toasted character without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Golden in the glass with faint greenish tints, the nose opens with vivid pineapple and green apple before moving into white flowers and citrus blossom. A subtle layer of honey and toasted bread emerges from the partial oak treatment, adding depth without dominating the floral aromatics.

Taste: The palate entry is round and generous, carrying ripe tropical fruit and green apple through a balanced mid-palate. Vibrant acidity cuts through the weight, while three months of lees contact contributes a creamy, almost textured mouthfeel that makes the wine feel fuller than its moderate alcohol suggests.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish echoes citrus peel and a whisper of toasted bread. Clean acidity lingers, leaving the palate refreshed rather than heavy.

How to Drink Crios Chardonnay

This Chardonnay drinks well slightly chilled to around 10–12°C, whether poured neat in a standard white wine glass or over a single large ice cube on a warm afternoon. Its balanced profile also makes it a versatile cocktail and spritz ingredient:

• White Wine Spritz: The wine's tropical aromatics and lively acidity pair naturally with sparkling water and a splash of elderflower liqueur.
• Chardonnay Sangria: Pineapple and green apple notes amplify fresh-cut fruit in a pitcher sangria built around stone fruit and citrus.
• French 75 (Wine Variation): Substitute the Chardonnay for sparkling wine to create a richer, rounder take on the classic gin-and-lemon cocktail.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring grilled chicken, fish, or pasta in cream sauce
• Introducing someone to Argentine white wines beyond Torrontés
• Warm-weather entertaining where a versatile, food-friendly white is needed
• Gifting a wine enthusiast curious about high-altitude South American Chardonnay

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crios Chardonnay taste like? Crios Chardonnay leads with ripe pineapple, green apple, and white flowers, followed by a creamy mid-palate from lees aging and subtle toasted bread notes from partial French oak. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and refreshing throughout.

How does Crios Chardonnay compare to Alamos Chardonnay? Both are accessible Mendoza Chardonnays, but Crios sources specifically from the higher-altitude Valle de Uco sub-region and incorporates three months of lees contact alongside partial French oak aging. Alamos, produced by Catena Zapata from broader Mendoza vineyards, tends toward a lighter, more fruit-driven style.

Is Crios Chardonnay good for sipping on its own? Yes—its combination of tropical fruit aromatics, creamy lees-derived texture, and clean acidity makes it enjoyable as a standalone pour, especially when served lightly chilled.

Where is Crios Chardonnay made? Crios Chardonnay is produced by Susana Balbo Wines in the Valle de Uco, a high-altitude wine region within Mendoza, Argentina, known for its cool temperatures and significant diurnal temperature swings that preserve natural acidity in white grapes.

What foods pair well with Crios Chardonnay? Grilled white fish with lemon butter complements the wine's citrus and toasted notes. Roasted chicken with herbs mirrors its rounded body. Creamy pasta dishes echo the lees-derived texture. Fresh ceviche highlights the acidity. Mild soft cheeses like Brie or young goat cheese pair well with the subtle oak and fruit.

What sizes does Crios Chardonnay come in? Crios Chardonnay is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Crios Chardonnay worth the price? Crios positions as an entry-level expression within the Susana Balbo portfolio, making it one of the more affordable Argentine Chardonnays that still incorporates partial oak aging and extended lees contact—production steps typically found in wines at higher price tiers.

Why Crios Chardonnay?

What separates Crios from many other entry-level Argentine Chardonnays is the deliberate complexity built into its winemaking: cold fermentation preserves aromatic intensity, three months of lees contact adds textural depth, and aging 50% of the blend in second and third-use French oak introduces restrained toasted character without masking the fruit. The Valle de Uco sourcing matters, too—high-altitude vineyards deliver the natural acidity that keeps the wine from falling into the flabby, over-oaked trap common at this price tier. Backed by the credibility of Susana Balbo, one of Argentina's most respected winemakers, this is a Chardonnay that punches above its weight class in both craft and drinkability.