Argentinian Red Wines
Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world and top Argentinian red wine is right up there with the best from the old world. Like many new world wine regions, Argentina has undergone a renaissance in winemaking with many boutique wineries emerging over the last decade or so. Argenitna is blessed with a fantastic and consistent climate, so these new wineries were able to identify specific sites to get the very best from their new plantings.
Mendoza is by far the largest production area, producing some excellent wines with truly outstanding ones coming from the specific higher altitude valleys such as Vista Flores or Tupungato in the Uco Valley. Many great producers are based in Mendoza such as Susana Balbo’s Dominio del Plata, Benegas Lynch, Mauricio Lorca and Tapiz, with tiny artisan producers in the Uco Valley such as Atamisque making tiny production handcrafted wines.
In the south you have Patagonia – still at high altitude by most regions’s standards but there are lower lying vineyards here in lush fertile valleys, where the clean air and icewater melt help produce wines of great individuality such as those from Aniello. In the far north you have the moon like landscape of Salta where the minerals lend the wines certain qualities and the strong sunshine gives the grapes amazing sugar levels – the wines from El Porvenir de Los Andes are just superb. El Porvenir is regarded as the highest quality winery in the world, and they make one of the best Malbecs in all Argentina in my opinion. Tim Atkin just scored it 95 points in his 2017 report.
93 / 100 Tim Atkin’s Argentina Report 2021 (2019 vintage) 94 / 100 Descorchados (2019 vintage) 92 / 100 James Suckling.com (2019 vintage)
This is a fantastic Bodeaux Blend right up there with the very best from Argentina. 50% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, 16 months in 50% first use French oak and 50% in second use.
Dark ruby, big legs. Powerful wine with big fruit flavours, noticeable oak and a really long finish.
This wine is excellent.
£42.95
93 / 100 Tim Atkin’s Argentina Report 2021 (2019 vintage) 94 / 100 Descorchados (2019 vintage) 92 / 100 James Suckling.com (2019 vintage)
This is a fantastic Bodeaux Blend right up there with the very best from Argentina. 50% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc, 16 months in 50% first use French oak and 50% in second use.
Dark ruby, big legs. Powerful wine with big fruit flavours, noticeable oak and a really long finish.
This wine is excellent.
£42.95
Tim Atkin 93 Points
Hand harvested fruit from 30 year old vines fermented in a combination of concrete eggs and old oak barrels.
Pale ruby in colour with a perfumed nose. Good red fruit upfront with medium body, nicely balanced with just the right amount of oak coming through on the very long finish.
Delicious wine, drinking now but will continue to improve if you want to lay it down.
£23.99
Tim Atkin 93 Points
Hand harvested fruit from 30 year old vines fermented in a combination of concrete eggs and old oak barrels.
Pale ruby in colour with a perfumed nose. Good red fruit upfront with medium body, nicely balanced with just the right amount of oak coming through on the very long finish.
Delicious wine, drinking now but will continue to improve if you want to lay it down.
£23.99
Tim Atkin 92 Points
Estella Perinetti is one of Mendoza’s best wine consultants in high demand. These Las Estellas wines are her pet project, and they are excellent wines.
Going back over my tasting notes I stated “Dark ruby in colour. Mid weight on the palate, elegant, balanced, beautiful! All the elements in harmony with good oak on the finish”.
12 months in 40% new French oak, 40% second use French oak, and 20% no oak
Highly recommended.
£20.95
Out of stock
Tim Atkin 92 Points
Estella Perinetti is one of Mendoza’s best wine consultants in high demand. These Las Estellas wines are her pet project, and they are excellent wines.
Going back over my tasting notes I stated “Dark ruby in colour. Mid weight on the palate, elegant, balanced, beautiful! All the elements in harmony with good oak on the finish”.
12 months in 40% new French oak, 40% second use French oak, and 20% no oak
Highly recommended.
£20.95
Out of stock
Tim Atkin 91 Points, Descorchados 91 Points, James Suckling 91 Points, Vinous 90 Points
Estella Perinetti is one of Mendoza’s best wine consultants in high demand. These Las Estellas wines are her pet project, and they are excellent wines.
Hand harvested fruit from a high altitude vineyard. Beautiful clear ruby with a big nose. Intense fruit, juicy yet with fantastic balance again, and a purity and elegance. The wine was 30% first use oak, 30% second fill and 40% unoaked for 12 months which does come through on the long finish without overpowering the wine.
Highly recommended.
£20.95
Out of stock
Tim Atkin 91 Points, Descorchados 91 Points, James Suckling 91 Points, Vinous 90 Points
Estella Perinetti is one of Mendoza’s best wine consultants in high demand. These Las Estellas wines are her pet project, and they are excellent wines.
Hand harvested fruit from a high altitude vineyard. Beautiful clear ruby with a big nose. Intense fruit, juicy yet with fantastic balance again, and a purity and elegance. The wine was 30% first use oak, 30% second fill and 40% unoaked for 12 months which does come through on the long finish without overpowering the wine.
Highly recommended.
£20.95
Out of stock
Estella Perinetti is one of Mendoza’s best wine consultants in high demand. These Las Estellas wines are her pet project, and they are excellent wines.
Clear ruby in colour with good legs. Prominent Cabernet nose leading to red and black fruit flavours in the mouth. I’d say the body is full and mouthfilling without being heavy, again great overall balance with noticeable oak coming through on the long finish. Some straight Cabernet Sauvignons can be a bit “dry” but this lovely blend retains the fruit flavours and elegant feel to the end.
£15.95
Estella Perinetti is one of Mendoza’s best wine consultants in high demand. These Las Estellas wines are her pet project, and they are excellent wines.
Clear ruby in colour with good legs. Prominent Cabernet nose leading to red and black fruit flavours in the mouth. I’d say the body is full and mouthfilling without being heavy, again great overall balance with noticeable oak coming through on the long finish. Some straight Cabernet Sauvignons can be a bit “dry” but this lovely blend retains the fruit flavours and elegant feel to the end.
£15.95
Estella Perinetti is one of Mendoza’s best wine consultants in high demand. These Las Estellas wines are her pet project, and they are excellent wines.
Purple with ruby hints. Big fruit flavour on entry (but not heavy on residual sugar as the wine is clean and elegant). The oak is subtle and there’s good natural acidity from the altitude, overall a wine of great balance, good mouthfeel and body with a delicious long finish.
Highly recommended.
£15.95
Estella Perinetti is one of Mendoza’s best wine consultants in high demand. These Las Estellas wines are her pet project, and they are excellent wines.
Purple with ruby hints. Big fruit flavour on entry (but not heavy on residual sugar as the wine is clean and elegant). The oak is subtle and there’s good natural acidity from the altitude, overall a wine of great balance, good mouthfeel and body with a delicious long finish.
Highly recommended.
£15.95
A brand new wine from Mauricio Lorca. As I’ve known Mauricio for many years now, when he decided to produce a sulphite free wine we were the obvious choice to market it so we bought roughly half of the very limited quantity he produced.
It’s hand picked and hand selected fruit from his best vineyards at Finca los Inicios in the Uco Valley at over 1000 meters altitude. The wine is superb as you would expect from Mauricio. Being sulphite free is a bonus.
Deep opaque ruby with good legs and a natural nose. Big concentrated black and red fruit flavours with subtle liquorice and a hint of violet coming in on the long finish. Medium weight and body, smooth and velvety on the palate with the perfect combination of power from the Malbec and elegance from the Cabernet Franc producing a superbly balanced wine well suited to food (but great on it’s own too).
£25.00
A brand new wine from Mauricio Lorca. As I’ve known Mauricio for many years now, when he decided to produce a sulphite free wine we were the obvious choice to market it so we bought roughly half of the very limited quantity he produced.
It’s hand picked and hand selected fruit from his best vineyards at Finca los Inicios in the Uco Valley at over 1000 meters altitude. The wine is superb as you would expect from Mauricio. Being sulphite free is a bonus.
Deep opaque ruby with good legs and a natural nose. Big concentrated black and red fruit flavours with subtle liquorice and a hint of violet coming in on the long finish. Medium weight and body, smooth and velvety on the palate with the perfect combination of power from the Malbec and elegance from the Cabernet Franc producing a superbly balanced wine well suited to food (but great on it’s own too).
£25.00
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
This Syrah is something special!
Reminded me very much of Boekenhoutskloof Syrah which is now (well) over £40 per bottle. Very deep ruby in colour with big legs and a spicey nose. Big fruit flavours with high natural acidity giving a nice balanced weight on the palate. Super smooth with fruit, pepper and oak all in harmony.
This is a fantastic wine in a classical elegant style.
£27.00
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
This Syrah is something special!
Reminded me very much of Boekenhoutskloof Syrah which is now (well) over £40 per bottle. Very deep ruby in colour with big legs and a spicey nose. Big fruit flavours with high natural acidity giving a nice balanced weight on the palate. Super smooth with fruit, pepper and oak all in harmony.
This is a fantastic wine in a classical elegant style.
£27.00
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Fruit from very old vines in a historic vineyard. Fermented in a concrete tank then aged for twelve months in oak with further bottle age before release.
Deep ruby in colour with good legs. Big, dense black fruit flavour lifted by natural acidity. Good weight on the palate, well balanced oak and fruit with a silky velvet texture, all presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
This is excellent.
£19.99
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Fruit from very old vines in a historic vineyard. Fermented in a concrete tank then aged for twelve months in oak with further bottle age before release.
Deep ruby in colour with good legs. Big, dense black fruit flavour lifted by natural acidity. Good weight on the palate, well balanced oak and fruit with a silky velvet texture, all presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
This is excellent.
£19.99
Ver Sacrum is a very exciting newcomer. It’s basically Eduardo’s garage and a rented warehouse. A small group of Vignerons returning the original Spanish grapes to Argentina, and making the wines as naturally as possible.
This Garnacha S is fantastic. Partial carbonic maceration to avoid extracting too much tannin. Then fermented in both used 500ltr Fremch oak barrels and clay amphorae (with no skin contact, again minimising tannin extraction).
Then aged in both small oak casks and clay amphorae for 18 months, bottled and aged for a further 20 months prior to release.
Red fruit flavours with natural acidity giving it a lift (much in the style of good GSM or Chateauneuf), super smooth with a very long finish. Eduardo has achieved a great balance without the wine being “heavy”, keeping it in an elegant and classical style.
£29.95
Ver Sacrum is a very exciting newcomer. It’s basically Eduardo’s garage and a rented warehouse. A small group of Vignerons returning the original Spanish grapes to Argentina, and making the wines as naturally as possible.
This Garnacha S is fantastic. Partial carbonic maceration to avoid extracting too much tannin. Then fermented in both used 500ltr Fremch oak barrels and clay amphorae (with no skin contact, again minimising tannin extraction).
Then aged in both small oak casks and clay amphorae for 18 months, bottled and aged for a further 20 months prior to release.
Red fruit flavours with natural acidity giving it a lift (much in the style of good GSM or Chateauneuf), super smooth with a very long finish. Eduardo has achieved a great balance without the wine being “heavy”, keeping it in an elegant and classical style.
£29.95
Ver Sacrum is a very exciting newcomer. It’s basically Eduardo’s garage and a rented warehouse. A small group of Vignerons returning the original Spanish grapes to Argentina, and making the wines as naturally as possible.
This Dona Mencia is very much in the style of top Pinot Noir, reminding me both of top Burgundy and top Elgin cool climate Pinot from South Africa. It’s a beautiful ruby colour, black and red fruit flavours initially, super smooth with some oak coming in on the very long finish. This is a class bottle of wine.
£29.95
Ver Sacrum is a very exciting newcomer. It’s basically Eduardo’s garage and a rented warehouse. A small group of Vignerons returning the original Spanish grapes to Argentina, and making the wines as naturally as possible.
This Dona Mencia is very much in the style of top Pinot Noir, reminding me both of top Burgundy and top Elgin cool climate Pinot from South Africa. It’s a beautiful ruby colour, black and red fruit flavours initially, super smooth with some oak coming in on the very long finish. This is a class bottle of wine.
£29.95
Another delicious Malbec in a natural style. Medium bodied, very smooth and silky. Lovely flavours with vanilla coming through on the long finish.
£30.00
Another delicious Malbec in a natural style. Medium bodied, very smooth and silky. Lovely flavours with vanilla coming through on the long finish.
£30.00
This is Atamisque’s premium Malbec. It is excellent!
Atamisque is a fabulous winery set up by a French couple focussing on making real wine in a more natural style. They hand pick into small boxes to avoid damaging the grapes. They designed the winery to work on a gravity feed system too, so they wouldn’t need to pump the wine around or handle more than necessary. This resultant Malbec is excellent.
Floral on the nose. Dark opaque plumb colour with big legs sticking to the side of the glass. Assorted black fruit flavours with vanilla and a very long, dry finish. Full in the mouth and velvet smooth. Hand picked grapes from high altitude vineyards (1100m above seal level) The wine is aged for 14 months in new French oak.
Made with grapes from a 100 year-old vineyard of La Consulta (Uco Valley).
£23.99
This is Atamisque’s premium Malbec. It is excellent!
Atamisque is a fabulous winery set up by a French couple focussing on making real wine in a more natural style. They hand pick into small boxes to avoid damaging the grapes. They designed the winery to work on a gravity feed system too, so they wouldn’t need to pump the wine around or handle more than necessary. This resultant Malbec is excellent.
Floral on the nose. Dark opaque plumb colour with big legs sticking to the side of the glass. Assorted black fruit flavours with vanilla and a very long, dry finish. Full in the mouth and velvet smooth. Hand picked grapes from high altitude vineyards (1100m above seal level) The wine is aged for 14 months in new French oak.
Made with grapes from a 100 year-old vineyard of La Consulta (Uco Valley).
£23.99
Atamisque Petit Verdot is a single varietal to rival their superb Assemblage blend.
Hand harvested and sorted grapes of course, the wine is made on their gravity flow system with as minimal intervention as possible. Aged in new French oak for 18 months.
Typically big and powerful, very natural in style. Big black fruit, velvet smooth. This is very good wine.
Highly recommended.
£29.99
Atamisque Petit Verdot is a single varietal to rival their superb Assemblage blend.
Hand harvested and sorted grapes of course, the wine is made on their gravity flow system with as minimal intervention as possible. Aged in new French oak for 18 months.
Typically big and powerful, very natural in style. Big black fruit, velvet smooth. This is very good wine.
Highly recommended.
£29.99
Atamisque Assemblage is a superb Bordeaux blend from Tupungato in the Uco Valley in Mendoza. This is the flagship wine of Bodega Atamisque and consists of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot
The winery was designed on a gravity system to avoid the use of pumps. The grapes from the low yielding vines were hand harvested into small boxes to avoid damage then underwent a rigorous selection at the winery. The wine was subsequently aged for 14 months in new French oak. It’s a full flavoured wine with power and elegance combined, very smooth with a very long finish.
Highly recommended.
£29.99
Out of stock
Atamisque Assemblage is a superb Bordeaux blend from Tupungato in the Uco Valley in Mendoza. This is the flagship wine of Bodega Atamisque and consists of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot
The winery was designed on a gravity system to avoid the use of pumps. The grapes from the low yielding vines were hand harvested into small boxes to avoid damage then underwent a rigorous selection at the winery. The wine was subsequently aged for 14 months in new French oak. It’s a full flavoured wine with power and elegance combined, very smooth with a very long finish.
Highly recommended.
£29.99
Out of stock
Benegas Lynch Malbec is the flagship Malbec from Federico, from some of the oldest vineyards in Argentina at Finca La Encerrada in Gualtallary, Uco Valley. Aged for 18 months in French oak then just one year in bottle before release.
Ruby with purple hints. This is a big wine with huge fruit flavours and some chocolate coming through, all presented in a very impressive heavyweight bottle. This is a blockbuster which will keep and improve for many years but is already drinking really well now.
£50.00
Benegas Lynch Malbec is the flagship Malbec from Federico, from some of the oldest vineyards in Argentina at Finca La Encerrada in Gualtallary, Uco Valley. Aged for 18 months in French oak then just one year in bottle before release.
Ruby with purple hints. This is a big wine with huge fruit flavours and some chocolate coming through, all presented in a very impressive heavyweight bottle. This is a blockbuster which will keep and improve for many years but is already drinking really well now.
£50.00
Benegas Lynch Meritage is quite simply one of Argentina’s finest wines. A top Bordeaux blend to rival the very best from France. The first release to reach the UK was the 2004 and on first tasting I immediately bought the lot. I had never tasted anything so good from Argentina. It had great reviews from many critics being likened to a first growth Bordeaux. We have stocked all the successive vintages. The trend in Argentina now is to make their wines more European in style, a little leaner and tighter than previously which I can understand for some of the fruit bomb Malbecs, but it isn’t needed here – this is Argentine Bordeaux already!
Sorry – we only have one bottle left and we are not able to get any more this side of Christmas.
£50.00
Out of stock
Benegas Lynch Meritage is quite simply one of Argentina’s finest wines. A top Bordeaux blend to rival the very best from France. The first release to reach the UK was the 2004 and on first tasting I immediately bought the lot. I had never tasted anything so good from Argentina. It had great reviews from many critics being likened to a first growth Bordeaux. We have stocked all the successive vintages. The trend in Argentina now is to make their wines more European in style, a little leaner and tighter than previously which I can understand for some of the fruit bomb Malbecs, but it isn’t needed here – this is Argentine Bordeaux already!
Sorry – we only have one bottle left and we are not able to get any more this side of Christmas.
£50.00
Out of stock
Benegas Single Vineyard Malbec is a new offering from Federico. Selected grapes from some of the oldest vineyards in Argentina at Finca La Encerrada in Gualtallary, Uco Valley (4800 feet). Fermented in tank then aged for 12 months in new French oak.
Very deep ruby in colour with damsons on the nose. Big fruit flavours on the palate yet in a clean, natural style. Big, round and full in the mouth with a very long finish.
£23.00
Benegas Single Vineyard Malbec is a new offering from Federico. Selected grapes from some of the oldest vineyards in Argentina at Finca La Encerrada in Gualtallary, Uco Valley (4800 feet). Fermented in tank then aged for 12 months in new French oak.
Very deep ruby in colour with damsons on the nose. Big fruit flavours on the palate yet in a clean, natural style. Big, round and full in the mouth with a very long finish.
£23.00
World Malbec Masters 2021 – Gold Medal
El Porvenir Laborum Malbec is in my opinion one of Argentina’s very best Malbecs with many awards to it’s name. Pure fruit expression with superb balance and length. The natural sugar level of these grapes from the highest quality winery in the world gives this wine incredible sweet fruit on entry. This is tempered by the oak (14 months in new both French and American). It’s super smooth, very well balanced with some vanilla coming through on the finish. If you want to see what all the fuss being made about Malbec is all about, this is the wine to go for!
£24.95
World Malbec Masters 2021 – Gold Medal
El Porvenir Laborum Malbec is in my opinion one of Argentina’s very best Malbecs with many awards to it’s name. Pure fruit expression with superb balance and length. The natural sugar level of these grapes from the highest quality winery in the world gives this wine incredible sweet fruit on entry. This is tempered by the oak (14 months in new both French and American). It’s super smooth, very well balanced with some vanilla coming through on the finish. If you want to see what all the fuss being made about Malbec is all about, this is the wine to go for!
£24.95
90 points Decanter World Wine Awards 2017
93 points James Suckling
91 points Tim Atkin
94 points Descorchados
Very deep ruby in colour. Full and round in the mouth, elegant and well structured with a long dry finish.
£22.00
90 points Decanter World Wine Awards 2017
93 points James Suckling
91 points Tim Atkin
94 points Descorchados
Very deep ruby in colour. Full and round in the mouth, elegant and well structured with a long dry finish.
£22.00
98 points – James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World – ranked number 36th best wine in the world.
To describe this wine as something special is of course an understatement – it is superb. I first tasted this Nosotros a few years back. It was at the Argentine Ambassador’s residence in London at a big tasting where we tasted around 100 different Argentine wines. This Nosotros was head and shoulders above every other wine there. I was fortunate to get hold of some stock and have been stocking it ever since. Very possibly the finest wine to come out of Argentina.
Susana Balbo has since released two blended wines in her Nosotros range to complement this straight Malbec. If you have deep pockets they are well worth trying to experience possibly the very best Argentine red wines available.
We are on the 2014
£117.00
98 points – James Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World – ranked number 36th best wine in the world.
To describe this wine as something special is of course an understatement – it is superb. I first tasted this Nosotros a few years back. It was at the Argentine Ambassador’s residence in London at a big tasting where we tasted around 100 different Argentine wines. This Nosotros was head and shoulders above every other wine there. I was fortunate to get hold of some stock and have been stocking it ever since. Very possibly the finest wine to come out of Argentina.
Susana Balbo has since released two blended wines in her Nosotros range to complement this straight Malbec. If you have deep pockets they are well worth trying to experience possibly the very best Argentine red wines available.
We are on the 2014
£117.00
Just moved onto the 2015 which is a blend of Malbec, Bonarda & Tannat
Only 8500 bottles produced. I’m a huge fan of El Porvenir – they’re Laborum wines are stunning, and this is even better. It’s a big, powerful wine but also structured and refined. El Porvenir is the highest quality winery in the world, and that altitude lends certain characteristics to the wines which make them some of the very best in Argentina. The altitude produces wines with sweet tannins and good body with plenty of acidity which is essential for making top quality balanced wines. The soil also contains greater mineral and salt content which influences the wine’s flavour. It’s a superb wine, with big fruit flavours, sweet tannins, backbone and structure. It’s full in the mouth and wonderfully smooth with great overall balance. Fantastic wine!
£29.99
Just moved onto the 2015 which is a blend of Malbec, Bonarda & Tannat
Only 8500 bottles produced. I’m a huge fan of El Porvenir – they’re Laborum wines are stunning, and this is even better. It’s a big, powerful wine but also structured and refined. El Porvenir is the highest quality winery in the world, and that altitude lends certain characteristics to the wines which make them some of the very best in Argentina. The altitude produces wines with sweet tannins and good body with plenty of acidity which is essential for making top quality balanced wines. The soil also contains greater mineral and salt content which influences the wine’s flavour. It’s a superb wine, with big fruit flavours, sweet tannins, backbone and structure. It’s full in the mouth and wonderfully smooth with great overall balance. Fantastic wine!
£29.99
Fermented in concrete then aged in first and second fill oak for twelve months.
It’s savoury in style rather than a big fruit bomb. Red and black fruit flavours, smooth and full with good acidity. Ideal paired with foods such as lamb or winter casseroles.
£17.99
Fermented in concrete then aged in first and second fill oak for twelve months.
It’s savoury in style rather than a big fruit bomb. Red and black fruit flavours, smooth and full with good acidity. Ideal paired with foods such as lamb or winter casseroles.
£17.99
James Suckling 94 Points
A top blend from Marcello here. His wines are all natural, and we are delighted to have them back after an absence of a couple of years. This blend (2015 vintage) is produced from handpicked grapes which underwent a micro fermentation with natural yeasts prior to being aged in oak for 20 months.
This is a seriously good wine, more savoury and elegant than fruit driven, with noticeable vanilla on the finish.
£36.00
Out of stock
James Suckling 94 Points
A top blend from Marcello here. His wines are all natural, and we are delighted to have them back after an absence of a couple of years. This blend (2015 vintage) is produced from handpicked grapes which underwent a micro fermentation with natural yeasts prior to being aged in oak for 20 months.
This is a seriously good wine, more savoury and elegant than fruit driven, with noticeable vanilla on the finish.
£36.00
Out of stock
Marcello Pelleriti is one of Argentina’s finest winemakers, in fact he is the only one to date to have received a 100 point rating from Robert Parker. But he isn’t just an Argentine winemaker, he makes wines in Pomerol too, as the season in France is directly opposite that of Argentina. Sounds like a lot of hard work to me, jetting back and forth every six months!
His vineyards are in the Uco Valley district of Mendoza, one of the very best areas in all Argentina. He works traditionally without pesticides, all grapes hand harvested, then bunch sorted and even sorted by individual grape. The winery works on a gravity feed system, enabling him to make wines naturally with absolute minimal intervention and manipulation.
100% Malbec aged in French oak barriques for 15 months. This Malbec is excellent, elegance and power combined, and is superb value for money.
£19.00
Marcello Pelleriti is one of Argentina’s finest winemakers, in fact he is the only one to date to have received a 100 point rating from Robert Parker. But he isn’t just an Argentine winemaker, he makes wines in Pomerol too, as the season in France is directly opposite that of Argentina. Sounds like a lot of hard work to me, jetting back and forth every six months!
His vineyards are in the Uco Valley district of Mendoza, one of the very best areas in all Argentina. He works traditionally without pesticides, all grapes hand harvested, then bunch sorted and even sorted by individual grape. The winery works on a gravity feed system, enabling him to make wines naturally with absolute minimal intervention and manipulation.
100% Malbec aged in French oak barriques for 15 months. This Malbec is excellent, elegance and power combined, and is superb value for money.
£19.00
Tim Atkin 92 points
James Suckling 93 points
Wine Advocate 92 points
This the Susana Balbo Benmarco Malbec 2019 from the Uco Valley – please don’t confuse it with the cheaper lower quality offering on sale with other retailers, they are completely different wines. This is something special and they brought out a new label for the 2019 to stop the confusion!
One of my favourite Susana Balbo wines, along with Expessivo and Nosotros of course! The secret to this excellent Malbec is the fruit is all from Vista Flores in the Uco Valley, regarded as the best vineyard site in all Argentina. Plus the Benmarco project has been in the hands of Edy del Popolo, making premium fruit driven wines. This is big and powerful in the typical Argentine style we have all come to love. Fruit, power, oak, acidity all in balance.
The grapes were hand picked of course, left on the lees for a full month with regular battonage, and underwent full malolactic fermentation before being tansferred to second fill French oak for 11 months. This process extracted maximum colour and flavour yet kept the oak in check to make sure it complemented the wine and didn’t overpower it.
£18.49
Tim Atkin 92 points
James Suckling 93 points
Wine Advocate 92 points
This the Susana Balbo Benmarco Malbec 2019 from the Uco Valley – please don’t confuse it with the cheaper lower quality offering on sale with other retailers, they are completely different wines. This is something special and they brought out a new label for the 2019 to stop the confusion!
One of my favourite Susana Balbo wines, along with Expessivo and Nosotros of course! The secret to this excellent Malbec is the fruit is all from Vista Flores in the Uco Valley, regarded as the best vineyard site in all Argentina. Plus the Benmarco project has been in the hands of Edy del Popolo, making premium fruit driven wines. This is big and powerful in the typical Argentine style we have all come to love. Fruit, power, oak, acidity all in balance.
The grapes were hand picked of course, left on the lees for a full month with regular battonage, and underwent full malolactic fermentation before being tansferred to second fill French oak for 11 months. This process extracted maximum colour and flavour yet kept the oak in check to make sure it complemented the wine and didn’t overpower it.
£18.49
Susana Balbo Signature Malbec has something of a cult following in the UK. It’s a great introduction to quality Argentine Malbec. We have been stocking this wine for years and it has been consistently good every year. Susana is Argentina’s most famous female winemaker (and apparently Argentina’s first female winemaker) and was nominated by James Suckling as one of his five best wineries of 2016. She has also been elected President of Wines of Argentina three times.
She has certainly pioneered a lot of the changes in the wine world in Argentina, and the Argentine wine scene is a lot better for it. She makes a large range of decent quality wines and several high end exceptional ones. This Signature Malbec sums up what she is all about in one bottle!
£22.00
Susana Balbo Signature Malbec has something of a cult following in the UK. It’s a great introduction to quality Argentine Malbec. We have been stocking this wine for years and it has been consistently good every year. Susana is Argentina’s most famous female winemaker (and apparently Argentina’s first female winemaker) and was nominated by James Suckling as one of his five best wineries of 2016. She has also been elected President of Wines of Argentina three times.
She has certainly pioneered a lot of the changes in the wine world in Argentina, and the Argentine wine scene is a lot better for it. She makes a large range of decent quality wines and several high end exceptional ones. This Signature Malbec sums up what she is all about in one bottle!
£22.00
Matervini is a superb recent tiny venture of two good friends, making just 40,000 bottles in total per year.
Very deep purple colour with ruby highlights. Big bold flavours tempered with racey natural acidity from the altitude. Smooth and well balanced with a long finish.
This wine is very, very good!
£43.00
Matervini is a superb recent tiny venture of two good friends, making just 40,000 bottles in total per year.
Very deep purple colour with ruby highlights. Big bold flavours tempered with racey natural acidity from the altitude. Smooth and well balanced with a long finish.
This wine is very, very good!
£43.00
Matervini is a superb recent tiny venture of two good friends, making just 40,000 bottles in total per year.
This wine blew me away.
Very deep purple in colour (bottled unfiltered) with a perfumed nose. Lovely mouthfeel with beautiful fruit flavours in perfect harmony with the balanced acidity and gentle oak.
Something special!
£49.99
Matervini is a superb recent tiny venture of two good friends, making just 40,000 bottles in total per year.
This wine blew me away.
Very deep purple in colour (bottled unfiltered) with a perfumed nose. Lovely mouthfeel with beautiful fruit flavours in perfect harmony with the balanced acidity and gentle oak.
Something special!
£49.99
This Cabernet Franc is from Mauricio Lorca’s vineyards at Los Árboles, Tunuyán, Alto Valle de Uco, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes.
Handpicked into small trays, the best grapes were selected where 75% were fermented then aged in French oak and 25% in American oak. The resulting wine is fantastic and is presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
Deep ruby in colour with big black fruit and dark chocolate flavours with some vanillin oak coming through on the long finish. Full and round in the mouth.
Highly recommended.
£19.50
This Cabernet Franc is from Mauricio Lorca’s vineyards at Los Árboles, Tunuyán, Alto Valle de Uco, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes.
Handpicked into small trays, the best grapes were selected where 75% were fermented then aged in French oak and 25% in American oak. The resulting wine is fantastic and is presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
Deep ruby in colour with big black fruit and dark chocolate flavours with some vanillin oak coming through on the long finish. Full and round in the mouth.
Highly recommended.
£19.50
This Block One Cabernet Sauvignon is from Mauricio Lorca’s vineyards at Los Árboles, Tunuyán, Alto Valle de Uco,, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes.
As with the Block One Cabernet Franc the grapes for this Cabernet Sauvignon were handpicked into small trays, the best grapes were selected where 75% were fermented then aged in French oak and 25% in American oak. The resulting wine is fantastic and is presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
Clear ruby in colour. Big black fruit flavours, well balanced and very smooth with the oak showing on the long dry finish. This is a great example of a classical Cabernet Sauvignon.
£19.50
This Block One Cabernet Sauvignon is from Mauricio Lorca’s vineyards at Los Árboles, Tunuyán, Alto Valle de Uco,, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes.
As with the Block One Cabernet Franc the grapes for this Cabernet Sauvignon were handpicked into small trays, the best grapes were selected where 75% were fermented then aged in French oak and 25% in American oak. The resulting wine is fantastic and is presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
Clear ruby in colour. Big black fruit flavours, well balanced and very smooth with the oak showing on the long dry finish. This is a great example of a classical Cabernet Sauvignon.
£19.50
This Block One Malbec is from Mauricio Lorca’s vineyards at Los Árboles, Tunuyán, Alto Valle de Uco, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes.
Handpicked into small trays, the best grapes were selected where 90% were fermented then aged in French oak and 10% in American oak. The resulting wine is fantastic and is presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
Deep ruby in colour. Big juicy fruit perfectly balanced with the oak and the high altitude acidity. This is a cracking bottle of Malbec at this price.
£19.50
This Block One Malbec is from Mauricio Lorca’s vineyards at Los Árboles, Tunuyán, Alto Valle de Uco, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes.
Handpicked into small trays, the best grapes were selected where 90% were fermented then aged in French oak and 10% in American oak. The resulting wine is fantastic and is presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
Deep ruby in colour. Big juicy fruit perfectly balanced with the oak and the high altitude acidity. This is a cracking bottle of Malbec at this price.
£19.50
This Block One Syrah is from Mauricio Lorca’s vineyards at Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes.
As with the Block One Malbec the grapes for this Syrah were handpicked into small trays, the best grapes were selected where 90% were fermented then aged in French oak and 10% in American oak. The resulting wine is fantastic and is presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
Pale ruby in colour suggesting this is a lighter wine than the others in the Block One range. Soft and supple on the palate with red and black fruit flavours nicely cut by good natural acidity. Reminiscent of good northern Rhone, this is excellent in an elegant style.
£19.50
This Block One Syrah is from Mauricio Lorca’s vineyards at Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes.
As with the Block One Malbec the grapes for this Syrah were handpicked into small trays, the best grapes were selected where 90% were fermented then aged in French oak and 10% in American oak. The resulting wine is fantastic and is presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
Pale ruby in colour suggesting this is a lighter wine than the others in the Block One range. Soft and supple on the palate with red and black fruit flavours nicely cut by good natural acidity. Reminiscent of good northern Rhone, this is excellent in an elegant style.
£19.50
90 / 100, Descorchados 2020
A great introduction to good Argentine Malbec, from Mauricio Lorca, one of Argentina’s most prominent winemakers. As well as his own wines, Mauricio is also a consultant winemaker for several other wineries in Mendoza including Enrigue Foster and Eral Bravo.
This Mauricio Lorca Fantasia Malbec is lightly oaked with great purity of fruit. As an introduction to quality Malbec at an affordable price it is a winner. Highly recommended.
£11.99
90 / 100, Descorchados 2020
A great introduction to good Argentine Malbec, from Mauricio Lorca, one of Argentina’s most prominent winemakers. As well as his own wines, Mauricio is also a consultant winemaker for several other wineries in Mendoza including Enrigue Foster and Eral Bravo.
This Mauricio Lorca Fantasia Malbec is lightly oaked with great purity of fruit. As an introduction to quality Malbec at an affordable price it is a winner. Highly recommended.
£11.99
Tapiz Malbec is a delicious Argentine red wine with that typical powerful Malbec fruit. Big and puchy on entry, quite smooth with the acidity and oak in balance. Ideal for everyday drinking at this price. Malbec is very much in fashion and there are many cheap ones floating about in the supermarkets but this one from Tapiz is in a completely different league.
Bodega Tapiz are one of the most exciting winemakers in Argentina producing some excellent wines.
This Tapiz Malbec is one of our best sellers with a loyal following as it is consistently good every vintage.
£13.00
Tapiz Malbec is a delicious Argentine red wine with that typical powerful Malbec fruit. Big and puchy on entry, quite smooth with the acidity and oak in balance. Ideal for everyday drinking at this price. Malbec is very much in fashion and there are many cheap ones floating about in the supermarkets but this one from Tapiz is in a completely different league.
Bodega Tapiz are one of the most exciting winemakers in Argentina producing some excellent wines.
This Tapiz Malbec is one of our best sellers with a loyal following as it is consistently good every vintage.
£13.00
Tapiz Reserva Malbec is a superb example of quality malbec from Mendoza. Plenty of strong fruit flavour yet very smooth with a dry finish. The standard Tapiz Malbec is very good, this Riserva Malbec is excellent. Fabian Valenzuela is one of Argentina’s most promising winemakers and at Tapiz he has consistently produced excellent quality wines at affordable prices for many years. For sheer value for money they are hard to beat.
£17.99
Tapiz Reserva Malbec is a superb example of quality malbec from Mendoza. Plenty of strong fruit flavour yet very smooth with a dry finish. The standard Tapiz Malbec is very good, this Riserva Malbec is excellent. Fabian Valenzuela is one of Argentina’s most promising winemakers and at Tapiz he has consistently produced excellent quality wines at affordable prices for many years. For sheer value for money they are hard to beat.
£17.99
Aniello 006 Malbec is an excellent Malbec from this refurbished artisan winery in Rio Negro, Patagonia. At 600 metres above sea level this isn’t high for Argentina! But it’s high enough to produce a wonderfully fresh wine with a backbone of good natural acidity. Dark in colour with a floral nose, full of fruit, yet the refreshing acidity brings a balance making this an ideal wine to enjoy in virtually any circumstance. I’d have this wine with white fish, or it could just as well go with a good steak.
It’s very versatile so a great choice if you’re sharing a bottle. Great wine for the money!
£14.99
Aniello 006 Malbec is an excellent Malbec from this refurbished artisan winery in Rio Negro, Patagonia. At 600 metres above sea level this isn’t high for Argentina! But it’s high enough to produce a wonderfully fresh wine with a backbone of good natural acidity. Dark in colour with a floral nose, full of fruit, yet the refreshing acidity brings a balance making this an ideal wine to enjoy in virtually any circumstance. I’d have this wine with white fish, or it could just as well go with a good steak.
It’s very versatile so a great choice if you’re sharing a bottle. Great wine for the money!
£14.99
Vallisto Extremo is the pet project of Francisco Lavaque producing classical wines via natural methods from old vines.
This Barbera reminded me very much of good Piedmonte and if you tasted it blind you’d think it was Italian.
Quite a pungent farmyard nose on opening which is deceptive as it has lovely red fruit flavours with fine acidity from the altitude. Elegance and finesse for such a natural wine ending with the typical dry finish.
Definitely pairs well with Italian foods such as pizza or good cured meats, casseroles or game.
£17.99
Vallisto Extremo is the pet project of Francisco Lavaque producing classical wines via natural methods from old vines.
This Barbera reminded me very much of good Piedmonte and if you tasted it blind you’d think it was Italian.
Quite a pungent farmyard nose on opening which is deceptive as it has lovely red fruit flavours with fine acidity from the altitude. Elegance and finesse for such a natural wine ending with the typical dry finish.
Definitely pairs well with Italian foods such as pizza or good cured meats, casseroles or game.
£17.99
Vallisto Extremo is the pet project of Francisco Lavaque producing classical wines via natural methods from old vines.
Francisco followed biodynamic principles for the grape growing and produced the wine without any nasty additives such as pesticides or fungicides in the vineyard or added acids or manipulation in the winery. The result is a delicious natural wine made in a light yet elegant style.
Pale ruby in colour with a nose of cherry. Red fruit initially followed by a little pepper and spice. Smooth and natural with a dry finish. Ideal to drink on it’s own in the summer or pair with chicken, BBQ or cheese and biscuits.
£17.99
Vallisto Extremo is the pet project of Francisco Lavaque producing classical wines via natural methods from old vines.
Francisco followed biodynamic principles for the grape growing and produced the wine without any nasty additives such as pesticides or fungicides in the vineyard or added acids or manipulation in the winery. The result is a delicious natural wine made in a light yet elegant style.
Pale ruby in colour with a nose of cherry. Red fruit initially followed by a little pepper and spice. Smooth and natural with a dry finish. Ideal to drink on it’s own in the summer or pair with chicken, BBQ or cheese and biscuits.
£17.99
The signature wine from Vallisto Extremo, this Felix is a blend of old vine Tannat and comparatively young Malbec, micro vinified in 225 litre oak casks!
Very deep ruby in colour. Big red fruit flavours, concentrated intense and very long. Big natural acidity, midweight on the palate and very smooth with a long finish.
This wine is quite something. I’m personally delighted to see a quality Argentine winemaker steering away from the recent trend to make savoury Bordeaux styled wines and head back to what I belive makes top Argentine wines unique – fruit and elegance combined.
£48.00
The signature wine from Vallisto Extremo, this Felix is a blend of old vine Tannat and comparatively young Malbec, micro vinified in 225 litre oak casks!
Very deep ruby in colour. Big red fruit flavours, concentrated intense and very long. Big natural acidity, midweight on the palate and very smooth with a long finish.
This wine is quite something. I’m personally delighted to see a quality Argentine winemaker steering away from the recent trend to make savoury Bordeaux styled wines and head back to what I belive makes top Argentine wines unique – fruit and elegance combined.
£48.00
This Vallisto Extremo Malbec is Francisco’s most popular wine. A Malbec made in an elegant style with only very light oaking (50% of the wine in small oak casks for 12 months).
Like all his wines he uses natural methods with no pesticides etc in the vineyard, no manipulation in the winery either and only very minimal SO2. Hand picked grapes of course.
Opaque ruby in colour. Juicy red fruit on entry with good acidity from the high altitude vines. Midweight on the palate and balanced with a long dry finish and very smooth.
£17.99
This Vallisto Extremo Malbec is Francisco’s most popular wine. A Malbec made in an elegant style with only very light oaking (50% of the wine in small oak casks for 12 months).
Like all his wines he uses natural methods with no pesticides etc in the vineyard, no manipulation in the winery either and only very minimal SO2. Hand picked grapes of course.
Opaque ruby in colour. Juicy red fruit on entry with good acidity from the high altitude vines. Midweight on the palate and balanced with a long dry finish and very smooth.
£17.99
Vallisto Extremo is the pet project of Francisco Lavaque producing classical wines via natural methods from old vines, for this Tannat over a hundred years old. Fermented and aged for twelve months in concrete tanks with no wood used.
Purple opaque in colour with ruby highlights, so no surpirse that it’s big and juicy on entry. Not a “fruit bomb” as some Salta wines can be, more of a European balanced savoury style.
£17.99
Vallisto Extremo is the pet project of Francisco Lavaque producing classical wines via natural methods from old vines, for this Tannat over a hundred years old. Fermented and aged for twelve months in concrete tanks with no wood used.
Purple opaque in colour with ruby highlights, so no surpirse that it’s big and juicy on entry. Not a “fruit bomb” as some Salta wines can be, more of a European balanced savoury style.
£17.99
Tim Atkin 93 Points, 2016
This is the beautiful Bordeaux blend from their second tier range “Catalpa”. Atamisque is a relatively new winery founded in 2007 by a French couple with family wine connections in Burgundy, aiming to produce exceptional wines in a natural manner. The winery was designed on a gravity feed system and all grapes are handpicked, two systems for minimising chemical intervention.
“The Atamisque reds are distinguished by their perfume and fine-grained tannins. This blend of Cabernet Franc with 20% Merlot and 10% each of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception, featuring subtle oak, grassy yet ripe flavours, bright acidity and a long, tapering palate.”
93 / 100 Tim Atkin ARGENTINA 2016 Special Report
£18.95
Tim Atkin 93 Points, 2016
This is the beautiful Bordeaux blend from their second tier range “Catalpa”. Atamisque is a relatively new winery founded in 2007 by a French couple with family wine connections in Burgundy, aiming to produce exceptional wines in a natural manner. The winery was designed on a gravity feed system and all grapes are handpicked, two systems for minimising chemical intervention.
“The Atamisque reds are distinguished by their perfume and fine-grained tannins. This blend of Cabernet Franc with 20% Merlot and 10% each of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception, featuring subtle oak, grassy yet ripe flavours, bright acidity and a long, tapering palate.”
93 / 100 Tim Atkin ARGENTINA 2016 Special Report
£18.95
Atamisque Catalpa Pinot Noir is an excellent single vineyard Pinot with gentle oak ageing. Soft and fruity with oak coming in on the back palate. Medium bodied with good acidity, well balanced with a long finish. Particularly suited to good cheese or richer fattier meats such as roast duck or pork dishes, as the acidity cleanses the palate.
£16.99
Atamisque Catalpa Pinot Noir is an excellent single vineyard Pinot with gentle oak ageing. Soft and fruity with oak coming in on the back palate. Medium bodied with good acidity, well balanced with a long finish. Particularly suited to good cheese or richer fattier meats such as roast duck or pork dishes, as the acidity cleanses the palate.
£16.99
I’m a big fan of all the Benegas wines and the Benegas Lynch Cabernet Franc in particular has been consistently one of our best wines for years. Here Federico has released a Cabernet Franc in his estate range at a more affordable price. Cabernet Franc thrives in Argentina due to the consistent climate, something which it doesn’t get at home in the Loire where there can be significant differences in quality between vintages due to the weather.
As a result Argentina is seeing more and more new plantings of Cabernet Franc and I think this is going to be a niche grape for them. Certainly the ones I’ve tasted recently from Benegas and Mauricio Lorca have been excellent quality. This particular wine is made in a bigger, more Argentine style.
Big ripe fruit on the nose which follows through onto the palate. It’s full bodied and powerful, rich but not jammy. Very smooth and balanced of course. This is fantastic wine and highly recommended.
£19.00
I’m a big fan of all the Benegas wines and the Benegas Lynch Cabernet Franc in particular has been consistently one of our best wines for years. Here Federico has released a Cabernet Franc in his estate range at a more affordable price. Cabernet Franc thrives in Argentina due to the consistent climate, something which it doesn’t get at home in the Loire where there can be significant differences in quality between vintages due to the weather.
As a result Argentina is seeing more and more new plantings of Cabernet Franc and I think this is going to be a niche grape for them. Certainly the ones I’ve tasted recently from Benegas and Mauricio Lorca have been excellent quality. This particular wine is made in a bigger, more Argentine style.
Big ripe fruit on the nose which follows through onto the palate. It’s full bodied and powerful, rich but not jammy. Very smooth and balanced of course. This is fantastic wine and highly recommended.
£19.00
James Suckling 91 points
Descorchados 90 points
A delicious Malbec in a natural style. Well structured, elegant, with a little vanilla on the finish. Fermented in cement vats and aged for six months in second use French oak barrels to impart a little vanilla without overpowering the fruit.
£13.99
Out of stock
James Suckling 91 points
Descorchados 90 points
A delicious Malbec in a natural style. Well structured, elegant, with a little vanilla on the finish. Fermented in cement vats and aged for six months in second use French oak barrels to impart a little vanilla without overpowering the fruit.
£13.99
Out of stock
This Cabernet Franc from Mauricio Lorca is great value for money, like all Mauricio Lorca’s Fantasia range. The vineyards are in Vista Flores in the Uco Valley, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes. Mauricio is one of Mendoza’s best winemakers and consistently produces delicious wines at affordable prices.
This is 100% Cabernet Franc. 30% was aged in oak while the remaining portion was left unoaked to retain the purity of fruit.
I love Cabernet Franc and this is a great example for anybody who maybe has never had a single varietal Cab Franc before and wants to try one. Red cherry and raspberry fruit with just a hint of oak. Quite full and round in the mouth but light and fresh with good acidity. Lovely on it’s own or due to it’s good acidity will pair with roast meats or BBQ.
£13.00
This Cabernet Franc from Mauricio Lorca is great value for money, like all Mauricio Lorca’s Fantasia range. The vineyards are in Vista Flores in the Uco Valley, regarded as the best area in all Argentina for growing high quality grapes. Mauricio is one of Mendoza’s best winemakers and consistently produces delicious wines at affordable prices.
This is 100% Cabernet Franc. 30% was aged in oak while the remaining portion was left unoaked to retain the purity of fruit.
I love Cabernet Franc and this is a great example for anybody who maybe has never had a single varietal Cab Franc before and wants to try one. Red cherry and raspberry fruit with just a hint of oak. Quite full and round in the mouth but light and fresh with good acidity. Lovely on it’s own or due to it’s good acidity will pair with roast meats or BBQ.
£13.00
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