Pascual Toso, Reserve, Cab Sau 2004, great red

Pacual Toso, Reserve Cabernet Sauvigon 2005, USD 23

From Maipu Mendoza a great Cabernet Sauvignon. It reminds me to Bramare CS by Viña Cobos (Paul Hobbs). A wonderfully balanced malbec with both typicity and inviting attractiveness. Nice smoky chocolate and pure ripe fruits. I´ll go not less than 91 points for this good value. A super red.

Dos Cielos 2004, malbec & merlot ; two halves of a great red

Dos Cielos, Malbec & Merlot 2004, USD 48

Amazing blend 50/50 from Alto Valle Rio Negro (merlot) and Lujan de Cuyo ,Mendoza (malbec). It coudn´t get any better. Wide palate and pretty lasting with a great palette of violets, cherries plum jam and ripe quince.Beautiful acidity all along. Smoky finish with quite long aftertaste. I´d say 93 points and a good value. Wonder how it would age.

Val de Flores, malbec 2003; a top ten to the last drip

Val de Flores, malbec 2003,USD 92

Great great malbec from Uco´s Valley Mendoza.

One of the top ten undoubtelly. Plenty of dark and red acid fruits with tipical minty Uco´s plus and strong sweet and acid backbone with astonishing complexity. A super red. Touching drip by trip it just keep growing in the palate. I´d say no less than 94 points. A great value to the last drip.

Dolium Petit Reserve, malbec 2004, very good Perdriel´s son

Dolium, Petit Reserve 2004, Malbec, USD 20

Nice effort from Perdriel district of Lujan de Cuyo.

Fruity bone with sweet envelope that fills the early and middle palate quite nicely. Love this terroir. Noticeable chocolate and smoke from oak. Attractive balance. I´d go 89 points with this good value.

Finca Sophenia,Reserve Malbec 2007, From Uco´s Valley good effort

Finca Sophenia, malbec 2007, USD 10

Malbec from Uco´s Valley.Nice typicity for both malbec with soft sweet black berries and quince-plum jam and for terroir eucalyptus/mint and crispy acidity. This time with nice smoky finish. I woudn´t go more than 88 points for this good value.

Mendel Unus 2004, Most delicate Malbec

Mendel Unus 2004, USD 46

Amazing Malbec from Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza.

You get one of the most balanced and at the same time complex malbecs. Tipical backbone of malbec with soft and sweet tannins showing a quite wide palette of ripe blueberries, cherries and blackberries with quince and plum. Smooth chocolate and smoke. Quite complete through the palate. Delicate not punching red. I´d say 94 points and

a outrageous value.

Quieto Reserva 2005, striking blend of Cab Franc

Quieto Reserva 2005, USD 20, Agrelo district from Lujan de Cuyo Departament. By Bodega Montequieto.

Wonderful red from Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza. A blend 50% of Cab Franc and some malbec and Cab Sauv. Beautiful blend with strong press on ripe fruit not overcooked. Soft oaky stuff and well balanced. Probably short lasting through palate. Adorable if you like fruit but not fruit-punch driven. I´d say 89 points with good value plus.

Bressia Profundo 2005, oaky but very attractive

Bressia Profundo, USD 100

Blend malbec based from Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza.

Great wine with fine and wide oaky components from the beginning. Like vanilla,coconut and smoke.Nice fruit tipical Cab & Malbec source. Most people will take it as wonderful and attractive,unless you hate overoaked wines.I see it as acceptable as far it seems to be balance . I´ll go 90 points with good value from the price standpoint.

San Pedro de Yacochuya 2003, one of the biggest ten

San Padro de Yacochuya 2003. USD 76

From Cafayate Valley (Salta) a wonderful malbec based blend.

Complete and attractive with straight fruit sustained by good acidity and acohol. Compote and black fresh fruit entangled together.Nice acidity perceived. Smoky and chocolate with hints of vanila. No doubt a great wine worth paying more than 100 bucks. I´d say 93 point for one of the top ten reds of argentina.

Cavas de Weinert, merlot 2002, nice effort

Cavas de Weinert, Reserva Merlot 2002, USD 15

Nice merlot from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza

Not a great value though. Delicate fruit with typicity both for variety and terroir but not very expressive. Lack some struture and firmness. Some oxidation noticeable too. I´d say 84 points red for a good value.

Lagarde Reserva Syrah 2006, attractive and honest syrah

Lagarde,Reserva Syrah 2006, USD 15

Beautiful effort from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza

Round and attractive syrah without overexpression. Good smoke hint and all the fruit and spice you expect from a syrah. Balanced and smooth inviting to continue. Nice earthy minerality makes it more complex. Anyway I´d say 88 points red with good value offered.

Primogénito, Malbec 2007, A timid Patagonia

Primogénito, Malbec 2007, USD 30 (Bodega Patriti)

A malbec from San Patricio del Chañar, Neuquén, Patagonia.Nice first release but not a great beginning though. Typicity preserved with nice red and black fruity envelope and soft tannins. Soft smoke and vanilla. Short and timid for a patagonian red. Way too expensive for a not more than 85 points wine.

Trapiche Medalla 2005, regreatable a `must not buy´

Trapiche Medalla 2005, USD 25

Mostly Cab from Mendoza. A classic red with history. Unfortunately not as good as it was in the past. Old and oxidated with unbalanced structure. Tasted three times with

consistent results. I woudn´t go more than 79 points with this wine. As it was released in Argentina is a `must not buy´.

Angélica Zapata Alta, Chardonnay 2004, wonderful chard from Uco´s Valley

Angelica Zapata Alta, Chardonnay 2004, USD 25

Wonderful Chard from Uco´s Valley, Mendoza.

Great balance of ripe peach and pineapple with good acidity and overall balance. Some buttery stuff too and a crisp bitter finishing. Not very long but nice run through the palate. I´d say 91 points and a great value.

Alta Vista, Alizarinne Vineyard, Malbec 2006, an exotic beauty

Alta Vista ,Alizarine Vineyard Malbec 2006, USD 35

Attractive malbec from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Very fruity and spicy with clear smoke and chocolate enclosed in a good balance. Nice ripe black fruits like blueberries and blackberries.Little quince and plum from malbec list too. Not what you expect from a malbec book of principles. I´d say 89 points with good relation to price.

Caballero de la Cepa, Reserva Malbec 2007, not strong enough

Caballero de la Cepa, Reserva, Malbec 2007, USD 10

A malbec blend from Barrancas dictrict (Maipu Valley) and Tupungato (Uco´s Valley) Mendoza. Soft and smooth malbec with nice nose. Tipicity preserved but too hollow to enyoy. Short palate all along. Balanced but lack concentration and backbone. I´d say 82 points. I woudn´t pay the cost.

Fabre Montmayou, Reserva Malbec 2007, hardly acceptable value

Fabre Montmayou, Reserva, Malbec 2007, USD 10

Malbec grapes from Vistalba distric in Lujan de Cuyo,Mendoza. Nice nose of violets and fruity marmalade typical of the varietal and terroir. Fast speedy through the palate though. Lack concentration and the character fades away after a brief promising beginning. I´d say 83 points. Hard to say more than a barely acceptable value.

Doña Paula Estate, Malbec 2008, basic not more

Doña Paula, Estate, Malbec 2008, USD 12

From Mendoza a basic malbec. Nice color and tipicity on the nose and palate. Good passage through the whole way but not attractive. Typical fruit and smoothness but lacking complexity and balance. Little bit spiciness and acidity not frecuent in a Lujan de Cuyo malbec. I´d say 82 points and I don´t like much the wine whatever the price.

Salentein Reserve, Merlot 2003, Cab Sav 2002, Syrah 2004; A bunch of the best

Salentein Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, USD 15

Wonderful red from Uco´s Valley in Mendoza.

Full body fruity and balanced with firm tannins that goes its best 5 to 7 years after vintage. A complete Cab ,nice and delicious with typicity included. I follow this line since it first emerged 10 years ago and frankly I´m a fan of it. These were always strong tannins based reds with great balance and complexity. I learned to discover the best quality after a few years of cellaring. Two thumbs up for this 90 points wine. Unbeatable relation to price.

Salentein Reserve ,Merlot 2003, USD 15

Wonderful red too, from Uco´s Valley too. I liked this one better. More flowerish and red cherries than the Cab. Modest smokiness and a aftertaste of chocolate. Like the previous the palate is complete from the beginning. Beatiful concentration and balance. I add up a 91 points. Again unbeatable value. Again its best kind of 5 to 7 years of cellaring.

Salentein Reserve, Syrah 2004, USD 15

Wonderful red from Uco´s Valley lastly. This one a little shorter and spicy with short aftertaste and final palate but great balance and attractiveness anyway. Looks adecuate for a syrah without overwhelming spiciness or fruitiness. Great value. I´s say 89 points.

Intimo, Humberto Canale, Malbec 2008, USD 10

Nice malbec from Patagonia. Balanced fruit mostly plum,quince and black berries slowly cooked

with a hint of smoke and eucalyptus. Lacks complexity and concentration though. I´d say 82 points. I wound´t say in a good relation to price.

Achaval Ferrer, malbec 2006, Tapiz malbec reserva 2004, Barely legal malbecs

Tapiz Malbec Reserva 2004, USD 15

from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza.

Just fine malbec with nice typicity and attractiveness but a little bit hollow and harsh.Cheap oaky components in harmony. I´ll go 82 points with a barely good relation to price.

Achaval Ferrer, Malbec Mendoza 2006, also USD 15

fron Mendoza, Be carefull do not mistake this for the high quality ones (above 40-80 USD).Just fine Malbec like the previous. I don´t buy it twice even to try another vintage (cross my heart on that). It barely goes 81 points. (tasted 2 times this vintage and twice the 2005 too)

Tamari Roble, malbec 2004, It doesn´t weight the cost

Tamarí, Malbec Roble 2004, USD 12

From Mendoza.

Just a malbec. Strong and agressive fruit with cheapy oaky elements from the beginning competing with its malbec descriptors. Strong alcohol perceived and kind of bottering. I´ll go 78 points. It doesn´t weight the cost. If I pick up another vintage it´ll be only to see if changed.

Terrasabbia, Malbec Reserva 2006, awkward and strange malbec

Terrasabbia, Reserva malbec 2006, USD 10

From Los Médanos, close to the sea in Buenos Aires

Awkward malbec for my palate. Nice red fruit and plum but over the top eucalyptus and

a toothpaste component that is disgusting for me. Coconut and smoke over and over. I barely go 77 points on this wine however some people around like it.

Don David, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Great from Cafayate Valley

Don David, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006,

USD 12

Very good red from Cafayate Valley, Salta.

Well balanced and delicious. Nice tipicity with slight smoky finish. I love this Cab. I´d say 89 points for this great value.Just lacking some

concentration to be a greater wine for my palate.

Vinorum, Priemium Malbec 2003 & 2004; Good finesse

Vinorum Premium Malbec 2003 & 2004 , USD 12

Great malbec from Agrelo district of Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza

The balance of fruit and acidity is inviting. Sweet tannins of malbec with nice oak mixed but not over the top. Attractive and smooth. The 2004 having more power. Both great values for a typicity preserved malbec not overconcentrated neither oaky reds. Not very complex though. I´d say 88 points. It reminds me Dolium malbec and quite opposite to the `Clos de los Siete´wines in style.

Punto Final, Malbec 2008, popular malbec´s soul

Punto Final, Malbec 2008, USD 9

Attractive malbec from Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza.

I find gross plum and black cherries popping up from the start off, Chocolate and a good acidity and alcohol are clear. Good balance but some simplicity in structure. I´d say 87 points for a popular malbec´s soul.

Mariflor , Pinot Noir 2007 ; Saurus, Patagonia Select,Pinot Noir 2006 ; Gerome Marteau, Reserva, Pinot Noir 2008

Mariflor , Pinot Noir 2007, USD 28

Nice Pinot from Tupungato,Mendoza

Strong dark fruit with even plum in it. Overwhelming oak components like tabacco, coffee and vanilla too strong. If you like oaky you´ll like this but it does give intense fruit too. Nice color tipical pinot luscency. I´d say 85 points mostly what I feel disbalanced by the oak stuff. If you are a barrique guy it´ll go way up 90 point.

Saurus, Patagonia Select,Pinot Noir 2006, USD 15

Funny Pinot from Patagonia Argentina.

Brilliant red attractive from first sight. Round and sweet red fruit like cherries Smooth smoke embrace. The palate shows nice through passage giving soft notes all the way. I like it but probably too soft and fruity in a monotonous way. I´d say 87 points wih this good value.

Gerome Marteau, Reserva, Pinot Noir 2008, USD 7

Again another Pinot from Patagonia Argentina

Yet a different style more oaky and more complex with some soft black fruit like ripe blueberries and a typical eucalyptus hint seen in Patagonia Argentina. I´d say 88 points. Very good value.

Viniterra, Select Carmenere 2005, From Mendoza great carmenere

Viniterra Select, Carmenere 2005, USD 25

Very nice wine from Lujan de Cuyo,Mendoza.

Fine balance and striking complexity yet a young wine. Blackberries, respberries and strawberries with cherries too. Nice smoke and tabacco entangled. Better through the mounth passage with complete coverage and moderate lasting memory. I like the balance the most. I´d say 92 points for a young and yet complete piece. Excelent value by the way.

Quara Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, From Cafayate Valley nice esforce

Quara,Cabernet Sauvignon 2007,

USD 9

Cabernet from Cafayate Valley, Salta

Nice balance with some concentrated fruit typical of cafayate´s super high valley with some oak stuff of tabacco and slight coconut. Peppery notes of Cab with plum jam reminiscent of argentinian malbec and earthiness from cafayate. I´d say 84 points. Nicer than Trumpeter and Alamos partners probably because of some more complexity and vivid richness. Very good value.

Trumpeter, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Not too skilled musician though

Trumpeter, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, USD 11

Maipú Mendoza. Good syllabus for a Cab from Mendoza. Round with compoted fruits not overwhelming. Soft green bell peppery notes with little toast and so. Some flat structure and quite short though. 83 points and an acceptable value. Not attactive neither complex but nicely round and straight.

Pedro Moises,Reserva 2007, Cafayate blend dark earthy

Pedro Moises, reserva 2007 USD 15

From Cafayate Valley (Bodega El Tránsito) Salta a blend with malbec, cab sau, syrah and tannat. Dark red with strong black cherries some soft graphite and earthy note. Too alcoholic in the palate with great early and middle passage.Very different from Mendoza and Patagonia with no complexity at all. Too concentrated probably a technical stuff behind. Other Cafayate´s reds like Don David, San Pedro de Yacochuya,Ciclos,Laborum, and Altimus are more balanced. I´d say 86 points. Some people may like it even more. Good value.

Marcus Gran Reserva malbec 2006, Clos de los Siete, malbec 2007, Two geographically distant malbecs

Marcus Gran Reserva ,Patagonia Malbec 2006, USD 25

Malbec from north patagonia (Rio Negro,were I live in) showing good typicity for both variety and terroir at a very good value. Fruit and balance but a little oaky for me. I get cherries and raspberries plum jam with violet flower and quice jam all typical of malbec. From patagonia I get stronger color and tannins than mendoza with hints of eucalyptus but overall strong fruit like plum and quince jammy memories. I´d say 90 points wine, even more if it were less oaky for my palate. I love patagonia terroir.

Clos de los Siete, Malbec 2007, Uco Valley, USD 20

Very fruit driven malbec, concentrated and attrative with hints of toast and tabacco. Typical Uco´s malbec with a particular style showed mostly on a higher acidity. Strong wine at the bottom line.This bottle showed some oxidation even the cork was fine. I´d say 89 points. Great value though.

San Pedro de Yacocuya, Torrontes 2007, great Value from Cafayate Valley

San Pedro de Yacocuya, Torrontes 2007, USD 12

Beautifull torrontes from Cafayate Valley in Salta (northwest argentina, NOA in castellano). Soft and very scenty with flowers with rude plant and grapefruit at first sniff. Nice acidity and alcohol but all keeping the softness and velvety tones.Crispy and vivid. I love this wine.Not the body shown by Quara Torrontes from cafayate valley too, probably the best for my palate. I´d say 89 points. Wonderful value.

(*) Castellano: the spanish root spoken in Argentina

Terrazas Reserva, Syrah 2002, Maipú ,Mendoza

Terrazas Reserva, Syrah 2002,

USD 15

Elegant syrah from Cruz de Piedra district, Maipú, Mendoza. Maipú is close by Lujan de Cuyo and both follow the mendoza river.Nice soft tannins with smooth spiciness and black fruits. Not much acidity though. Not a star but an excel companion to most barbacued dishes. I´d say 88 points with good value state.

Ruca Malen, Petit Verdot 2007, rarity from Lujan de Cuyo

Ruca Malen, Petit Verdot 2007, USD 10

Interesting Petit Verdot from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza at a great value. Nice fruit mostly black cherry and berry with chocolate and cacao notes. Mostly initial and middle palate with short finish. Somehow boring in terms of complexity but attractive. I´d say 86 points. Hardly good value.

Quara, malbec barrique aged 2005, just fine from Cafayate Valley

Quara, Malbec Barrique aged, 2005, USD 15

Fron Cafayate Valley, Salta

Nice Malbec, fruit driven with soft oak toast and tabacco. Everything´s ok and attractive but not striking beauty. Some oxidation from the nose spite of good cork. Probably nicer before 4 years old. Not so concentrated as some brothers of Cafayate Valley show. I´d say 87 points

Lagarde Reserva 2006, malbec and cabenet sauvignon, great wines from lujan de cuyo

Lagarde, Reserva, Malbec 2006 & Cabenet Sauvignon 2006, USD 15

Beautiful wines, typicity and attractiveness from the nose on. Great balance with soft and elegant tannins that swim in your mouth. Fruit and spice with plum and violet flower in Malbec and peppery notes with black cherries in Cabernet Sauvignon. Complete travel through the palate with cherry marmalade. Discrete smoke and toast. They linger quite good. I´d say 89 points for both. Not 91 because I like stronger and longer lasting, but otherwise great wines at great values.

A Lisa, Malbec 2007, Andeluna Reserve Malbec 06, Andeluna Reserve Cab Sau 04; three charmer

A Lisa, Malbec 2007, USD 25

Very good malbec from Patagonia, kind of pricy though. Opaque Bordeaux color gives place to red cherries and plum and quince jam quite clear.Nice acidity and alcohol. Soft palate follows with good memory throughout. Not a prime time star but solid and particular.I´d say 88 points.

Andeluna, Reserva Malbec 2006, USD 15

Wonderful malbec from Uco´s Valley,Mendoza. There is nice spiciness and pepper stuff more close to CS than malbec. Strong back bone, a prime time star no doubt. A lovable wine from the beginning more complex and complete than typical malbec from mendoza (and even from Uco´s Valley). I´d say 91 points wine. Great value absolutelly.

Andeluna Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, USD 15

Again from Uco´s Valley Mendoza. Much more matured with some softned back bone (even the cork´s ok). Still fruitful with some green bell pepper and toasted aubergine.Nice early and middle palate but short end though. I´ll go 88 points for a bottle that probably didn´t aged its best.

Finca Las Moras, Reserva Malbec 2007, good efforce but not great value

Finca Las Moras, reserva malbec 2007, USD 8

Nice and deep brilliant bordeaux color typical of San Juan´s valleys. Touching nose of quince jam and figs and a smoke note surrounding all over. The palate is soft and easy with good initial and short finish. Some spice like oregano not usual for malbec.I´d say 84 points for a good efforce though. Not sure it´s a good value.

San Juan´s valleys give colorfull & brilliant wines with vivid notes of spice and ripe fruits best expressed in Shiraz (we´ll put up some recent shiraz from here to show this point)

Famiglia Bianchi, Malbec 2005, it faded away

Famiglia Bianchi ,Malbec 2005, USD 15

Mlabec from San Rafael Valley south Mendoza.

Deep purple to brownish tone. Nice initial nose with ripe red fruits like cherry and some quince fruit. Next you get almost frustrated by a short and oxidated red with a clear sweet tannin of malbec but no fruit showed on the nose. Short and disbalanced. I´d say 82-83 points wine if you like some oxidation. I don´t.

Infinitus, Malbec & Syrah 2007, A good patagonia´s son

Infinitus, Malbec & Syrah 2007, By Bodega Domaine Vistabla ,USD 7

From Patagonia,Malbec 80%, Syrah 20%. Striking malbec with opaque bordeaux typical from north patagonia. Wide nose with sweet ripe plum and cherries inviting from the beginning. The palate continues clearly fruity but with nice body (acidity and alcohol) somehow short though. Minimal smoky deep inside and spice too. I love it. Just like a Patagonian Malbec should look like. I´d say 88 points with a superb relation to price.

Enclave Sur, Malbec and Cab Sau 2009 vintage, entree wines

Enclave Sur, Malbec & Cab Sau 2009, USD 7

From North Patagonia;

Young fruit driven reds, concentrated and sweet with a hint of tabacco and smoke. The Malbec expresses clear plum jam and violet flowers with quince and some blackberries. The Cab Sau shows more balance toward bigger body with red bell pepper and spice like black pepper. I´d say 85 and 87 points respectibely. Two wines to drink young (up to 3 yrs). This wines are a black fruit punch nicely placed in entree with finger food.

AVE ,Malbec Premium from Perdriel

AVE , Malbec premium 2007 ; USD 10

Nice malbec from Perdriel distric of Lujan de Cuyo. Good and typical malbec with sweet fruit and smooth oak toast and smoke. More acid than usual. I´d say 88 points red aproachable and likeable with gentle price.

Cobos, Malbec 07, Achaval Ferrer, Finca Altamira 06, Catena Zapata, Malbec Argentino 05. The top and below

Humberto Canale Centeium 2005, USD 130 magnum bottle (1,5 L)

Rio Negro,Patagonia.

An 05 blend with mostly malbec. Nice fruit on compote and layered with vanilla and smooth tabacco. Sound but simple and unpolished. No finesse neither complexity. A deception for the occasion and the price two. It woudn´t go more than 79 points. Bad memories remain.

Cadus, Malbec 2003, USD 47

Lujan de Cuyo Malbec from Mendoza

Nice plum and strawberries jam with big smoke ,cocoa and vanilla. A little volatile acidity (like vinegar) noticeable in the palate that faded away after a while in the cup. Much oaky. I´d go 83 points with an overpriced wine.

Nieto Senetiner , Bonarda 2005. USD 60.

From east Mendoza. nice fruity red (plum,quince) with attractive oak (mostly vanilla and tabacco) entangled without bothering. Balanced but short. Fades away too fast. I´d say 88 points,. Some pricy stuff.

Achaval Ferrer, Finca Altamira, 2006, USD 90

From Uco Valley, mendoza an outstanding malbec. Ripe and strong cherry,strawbery and raspberry with acid ripe black plum,spice like black pepper and canela. Round and deep. Tabacco and tost around. Long and strong. No doubt better in 3 or 4 years more , and I´d like to taste it 6-7 years from now. I´d go 93 points (probably 95+ in the future) Outstanding Malbec,one of the top10.

Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2005, USD 100

Blend of Malbec from diferent vintners of Mendoza. Outstanding malbec. Mature and deep. It reached its cenit. Fruit and oak in a smooth balance. I pick plum,blackbarries,cherry,some mineral earthiness. I´d say 93 points wine. Outstanding Malbec,one of the top 10.

Cobos, Malbec 2007, USD 150-180

Perdriel district of Lujan de Cuyo,Mendoza

No doubt the best malbec of Argentina. Round and delicious from every angle. After a sip your mouth is melting for another sip. It lingers minutes. With this wine it happens to me to remember its palate the day after, like stuck in my head. I coudn´t agree more with a 96+ points of RP Jr. Closest to a perfect wine.

Paradigma blend 2007, finesse without oak

Paradigma, Blend 2006, USD 17

Domaine St Diego. Grapes from Lunlunta dictrict,Maipú, Mendoza.

Blend of malbec, Cab Frank and Cab Sauvignon. No oak in aging.

Great spectrum of small fine red and black fruits, nice acidity and spiciness over a sweet tannin holding the structure. Very smooth all through the palate more at onset and middle. I love it. I´d say 90 points wine. It proves that you don´t need oak for a beautiful red wine reaching high quality (and a great price too).

Atemporal blend 2007, Saurus Pinot Noir patagonia select 06, Marcus Gran Reserva Pinot Noir 07

(thank you 7decopas)

Atemporal 2007, Alta Vista, USD 16.

A red blend of Mabec, Cab Sau, Syrah, Petit Verdot from Mendoza. Beautiful bordeaux like red more spicy and crispy than the French. Round and balanced through out the palate. Little smoky and tabacco. I´d say 89 points for a soft tannin red.

Saurus Patagonia Select, Pinot Noir 2006, USD 16

From Neuquén, Patagonia

Balanced and attractive. Not very deep as one might expect for a PN. Nice cherry and raspberry. Some smoky deep and a wide middle palate as again I´d expect form a Pinot Noir. I´d rather go 85 points, I feel it weak and soft.

Marcus Gran Reserva, Pinot Noir 2007, USD 20

From Rio Negro, Patagonia

Surprisingly more aged with compote notes and some oxidation that gives a minus point. Otherwise red fuits like cooked without sugar. No defect but not very attractive for my palate. I´d say 83 points.

Callia Magna, Malbec & Merlot 2007 nice pizza companion

Callia Magna, Malbec & Merlot 2007, USD 8

From San Juan (a branch of Salentein Family of Wines) a soft and balanced red that won´t remain in memory but will do well for the accasion. Nice bordeaux color with luscent tone. Nose with mostly red fruits like cherries and red plum.There is some ripe black figs and a subtle hint

of bread toast and tabacco. All in a smooth tone. I´d say 85 points red. I imagine a good companion for pizza.

INTA sparkling from Patagonia, no better value

INTA, sparkling wine N/V, USD 5

This wine is produced in the experimental station for agricultural affairs (INTA) from Rio Negro´s Alto Valle . It was born by champenoise method with local chard & pinot noir. Sold only locally this 2010 .Nice golden tone with some greenish pale. Aroma of ripe golden apple and pineapple with a clear hint of bread toast and toasted sesame seeds. Beautiful palate, gentle but complex, acid but fruity,expanding the nose with white peach and apricot. I love it. An easily 87 points sparks for no money at all. Better than most Argentina´s sparkling, as we are used to know it from North Patagonia.

Salentein Reserve, Sauvignon Blanc 2008. USD 13. Uco Valley in Mendoza. Nice SB with mostly greenish pale. Herbal and citric notes poping up.Little tropical stuff in it. Good acidity and some buttery stuff deep and soft in it. Short and sweet. I feel it lacking acidity and bodiness.

But I´d say 88 points. Good value.

Bramare,Malbec 2007; Septima Gran Reserva 2007 ; Grand Callia 2006

A night Tasting before dinner, lets see:

Bramare, Malbec 2007, USD 36

Just amazing red. Beautiful fruity malbec not as complex as its big brother `Cobos´but realy impressive. Quite balanced and nice oak entangled. I put a 91 points for this excelent malbec from Lujan de Cuyo.

Septima, Gran Reserva 2007 ,USD 23

Blend from high agrelo district in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza.

Amazing bottle too, more complex than Bramare. It fills your mouth deeper, less oak stuff perceived and longer aftertaste. Great 3th vintage for this great wine (05,06 & 07). Great Value. I´d say 92 points.

Grand Callia, blend 2006, USD 42

From San Juan Province (mendoza´s neighbor at the Andes Mountains). Nice fruity and over the top oaky stuff, mostly coconut and vanilla. Lack some acidity but it´s quite balanced. Different terroir and wine from the other two. I feel a bit of awkward acidity different from volatile(acetic). I´d go 89 points. I feel it overpriced.