Argentinian Wines

South America is known for many things, including dark and spicy Argentinian Malbecs, such as this one by winemaker Ernesto Catena. He is the man responsible for this tasty  Malbec from Mendoza; the heart of the country's wine industry and a region equally renowned for its spectacular beauty at the foot of the Andes Mountains.

This wine is made with grapes grown on the Catena winemaking family's Adrianna Vineyard, on the site of an old riverbed where white stones absorb heat and store it, aiding ripening of the grapes. 

Argentina?s signature grape was introduced to the country?s biggest wine region, Mendoza, by Frenchman Michel Pouget in the mid 1850s, but it has since been discovered that not all Malbec vines brought into the country were exactly the same. And the family that has done more to advance the understanding, high quality expression and understanding of Argentinian Malbec is the Catena family, whose Zapata Malbec is one of our favourite wines in store; big, bold and full bodied but with elegance to burn, thanks to its silkiness. 

The Catena family has arguably done more for the quality and reputation of both Malbec and the Argentinian wine industry than any other company, advancing the understanding of growing grapes at altitude, high up in the foothills of the Andes where hot days, high sunshine hours and cool nights ripen the grapes and retain elegance.

What the critics say

?Incredible aromas of blackberries, hot stones, wet earth and flowers. Full-bodied, it floats across the palate with ultra-fine tannins that melt into the wine. Superb, long finish of subtle fruit and terroir-defined subtleties. Try in 2022, but already a dream to taste.? 

100/100 

James Suckling

This Malbec is one of our best wines under $20 and more than justifies the reason that Argentina is now a force to be reckoned with when it comes to big, velvety, fully bodied, spicy reds. High altitude equals high quality and this 100% Malbec fits the bill; it's grown at 1700 metres above sea level and it easily soaks up the 70% new oak, thanks to its soft, juicy, dark fruit flavours. A stunner at a stunning price.

Mendel Winery embodies the union of Roberto de la Mota - one of Argentina?s most respected and experienced winemakers - with an established Argentine family. Together they are dedicated to producing wines of unquestionable superior quality expressing the quality and character of their very old Malbec vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.

Parker's Wine Advocate, Luis Guttierrez (2017 vintage)

"The approachable, creamy and expressive 2017 Lunta Malbec has notes of ripe berries and a touch of beeswax, pollen and honey that I find in many Mediterranean wines. This comes from the classical zone of Mendoza, and in 2017, the grapes achieved good ripeness; it's juicy and with a soft palate. Some 60% of the volume matured in barrique because the year delivered wines with more structure and winemaker Roberto de la Mota thought it needed a little bit more of ?levage. A textbook example of a classical Malbec from Mendoza. 85,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2019."

Vinous, Stephen Tanzer (2017 vintage)

"Bright ruby-red. Somewhat inky scents and flavors of black and red fruits and licorice pastille, lifted by herbs. Slightly bound-up but there's excellent dark fruit intensity here, not to mention good density and a fine-grained texture for the price. Roberta de la Mota makes this wine from very old vines (roughly 90 years) in riverbed alluvial soils at the base of the Lunlunta foothills behind his winery in Mayor Drummond."

Dark, dry and full bodied Argentinian Malbec made from a blend of grapes from two great Malbec vineyard areas, Agrelo and Lulunta. This accessibly priced, drink-me-now red has no oak maturation, which accentuates the bold fruity flavours of this wine. 

Agrelo is situated 35 km south of Mendoza city and considered to be a great area for intensely flavoured Malbec grapes. Lulunta is another well regarded sub region of Mendoza area.

The fruit for this succulent Malbec is 50% from the Uco Valley, with a majority of calcareous soils and 50% from Luj?n de Cuyo with loam clay soils. The vineyards are located between 950 and 1.400 metres above sea level. In our vineyards, we do not use any herbicide or systemic product, managing it in an agro-ecological way.

The wine is vinified with 20% whole clusters grapes, and the rest is destemmed. Fermentation is in small concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and at temperatures between 24? and 26?C. Maturation continues in small concrete vats until next harvest.

This is a succulent juicy expression of Malbec (as it should be) with red fruits combining with floral aromas and black pepper. Ripe tannins lead to a soft and opulent finish.

Argentinian Malbec is one of the best winter wines around with its dark smooth full body, richness of black plum flavours and spicy notes adding delicious complexity to every sip. This one is certified organic and offers a lively, lovely complex expression of the great Malbec grape. 

Another Malbec cracker from the Catena stables.

The Alamos Malbec has a dark purple colour with violet highlights. The nose offers bright black berry aromas with light floral notes and a touch of toast. The mouth-feel is full and rich, with ripe, concentrated cassis and black raspberry fruit interwoven with a touch of chocolate and sweet spice from light oak aging. The finish shows ripe, silky tannins."

Just when we?re thinking how great modern Chardonnay is, along it comes in a surprisingly complex, surprisingly dry blend with Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris. And it comes from one of the chilliest places in the world of wine today, Patagonia in South America.

Flavours of tropical fruit, citrus and Turkish Delight all combine in this funky fleshy, full bodied white which was aged in French oak foudres and concrete vats for nearly 20 months.

This wine is dry with 2.18 grams per litre of residual sugar. 

Bodega Otronia is situated in the heart of Patagonia at parallel 45 south, the last frontier for winemaking and grape growing. High winds, a cold and dry climate all make organic wine production relatively smooth sailing here.

Stunning Cabernet Franc from Argentina, showing another string to this powerful South American red wine bow - dark blackcurrant and ripe black plum aromas are followed by the fleshy appeal of a lush palate texture and long finish. 

A great wine for drinking now and also to age for eight to nine years and beyond...

Elegant, smooth, bright and lively; a gorgeous spicy Patagonian Pinot Noir is as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth in this part of the world and this lovely lithe version has gentle smoky flavours with hints of mushroom, oak and red fruit. It's made by Ernesto Catena Vineyards, a high quality wine producer in Argentina. 

Trapiche is one of Argentina's best known wineries and based in the country's wine HQ, Mendoza, where it owns over 1,000 hectares of vineyards, devoted mostly to Malbec - the great red of this part of South America.

Trapiche's Oak Cask Malbec sees a minimal amount of oak, which adds a touch of spice and complexity to this otherwise fruity, dry, medium bodied red. Great value for money and lively drinking year round.