Antucura 2003, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot, outrageous blend fron Vistaflores

Antucura 2003, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, By Caviar Blue, USD 50



Absolutely impressive blend that may grow gorgeous next 4-6 years given the tremendous tannins in the backbone.Ripe and fresh blackberries,boysenberries and cassis sweet and delicate. Dark chocolate and to a lesser degree toast.Good peppery note and a sort of cinnamon spiciness quite attractive. A round and young red that will grow in terciary notes next 2-4 years beatifully. A 96 points red and a great value.There are a bunch of selected Argentina´s reds `top values´ at this price level where international values go above 100 bucks. Can´t wait to cellar another couple of bottles for the next years !

Viñas de Alto Salvador, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, good value under 4 bucks and typicity from San Martin

Viñas de Alto Salvador, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, USD 4



Nice Cab from San Martin, East Mendoza. Wide middle palate with black ripe berries and soft chocolate. A toach a cooked sweet bell peppers. Not complex neither concentrated although just fine and fairly attractive. Good value to enjoy young up to 2 years. A 83 points CS.

Salentein Reserve Merlot 2005, a good merlot from Uco´s

Salentein Reserve Merlot 2005, By Salentein Wines, USD 18

Attractive merlot from Uco´s Valley, Mendoza.

Round and very floral from the beginning with strong red cherries and currants. Nice backbone of solid tannins. A little short aftertaste. Hints of spice and chocolate in the middle palate. A wine for 5-7 years cellar. Probably a bit weak compared to other vintages. I´d say a 89 point merlot with a good value from an Argentina´s wines perspective.

Atilio Avena, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008, Finca V. A quite interesting and friendly Maipu son under 8 bucks

Atilio Avena, Cabernet Sauvignon Roble 2008 (Finca V), By Bodegas Atilio Avena, USD 8



Very friendly and attractive Cab from Maipu Dpt Central Mendoza (Maipu & Lujan de Cuyo are called `Primera Zona´something like `First Zone´). Nice and balanced cooked mix of red and black fruits including plum and red cherries.Very palatable all through with a sweet bell peppery and toasty edge. Nicely scented from the beginning and short but pleasant aftertaste. A 85 points Cab probably better during 4-6 years born. A reasonable value. To keep good memory of it.

Elementos, malbec 2010, a Cafayate best value for under 7

Elementos, malbec 2010, By Bodega El Esteco, USD 7

Good and attractive malbec from high Cafayate Valley in Salta (above 1,700 mts or 5,500 ft). Nice ripe fruits jammy and strong in terms of good alcohol and acidity.Black Plum and balckberries dominates.Soft chocolate. Wide palate and nice aftertaste. A wine to enjoy before 4 years. A sure thing to order or get off the shelf once and again. Few things so solid and likeable under 7-8 bucks. On top of that it shows consistent quality vintage after vintage. A 85 points malbec with great typicity for Cafayate Valley. A best value for under 8.

Salentein Reserve, merlot 2003, an update on a great warrior under 15 bucks

Salentein Reserve, merlot 2003, By Salentein Wines, USD 15



Great merlot fron Tunuyan Mendoza inthe Uco Valley. Deep brilliant ruby with a soft shade of brownish to start off. Nice aromas mostly expressed a couple of hours opened. Raspberries cooked and caramelized with red cherries still showing a hint of freshness. Delicate chocolaty note very soft. A nice peppery edge mixed with ash and mineral toach give complexity. A 90 points merlot loosing some fruit power which made it more likable to my view even gaining some complexity (tasted on April 2010,scored 91 points)
We´ll see how evolves next years. Now 8 y/o shows an intriguing trek.
Must say the cork was inked just a thin line inside surface.A medium complexity, medium body worthwile the price no doubt and to care for properly more than 7 years.

Aberdeen Angus, Centenario Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, good but not very competitive value

Aberdeen Angus, Cabernet Sauvignon Centenario 2007, By Finca Flichman, USD 10



Once made in partnership with Aberdeen Angus Breeders Association of Argentina this Cab Sau has a long story behind. Made by Bodega Goyenechea for 30 years up to 1994 and thereafter by Finca Flichman.Centenario here is the catch for Reserve quality.
Nice Cab Sau from Barrancas disctric of Maipu Departament of Central Mendoza. Good balance of red and black berries with a peppery note. Light spice like black and green peppercorn. Gentle and balance tannins with soft chocolaty note too. Nice aftertaste even not long.
I´d say a 86 points Cab Sau to enjoy 4 to 6 years born. Good value even not very competitive and quite a list of same value more attractive CS from all around.

Don David Torrones 2008, a captivating beauty under 12

Don David, Torrontes 2008, By Bodega El Esteco, USD 11



Beautiful Torrontes from Cafayate Valley, Salta
Bright yellow with shades of golden. Soon wrapped in the floral and honney aromas. Huge and definite rude plant mixed with grape and lemony shades.The palate goes toaching gently the same elements. Delicate acidity and alcohol. Probably enjoyable up to 5 years if adecuately kept from light. A 89 points white with more than good value component for the price.Torrontes is so exotic and scented that may go along with many dishes and meetings.

Picada 15 white blend 2009, a Patagonian value for less than 6 bucks

Picada 15, white blend 2009, By Bodega NQN, USD 6



Beautiful blend of semillon, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir fron san Patricio valley, Neuquen, Northpatagonia.Wide palette of peach, white roses and lemony citrus. Pleasant palate with acidity and alcohol clearly percieved even an edge of bitterness quite compelling. A toach of buttery softness pretty nice. A 87 points white with a great value component no doubt.

La Vuelta, Malbec 2010, far away from the bunch values around

La Vuelta, Malbec 2010, By Bodega La Rural, USD 7



Barely acceptable and basic Malbec with no many virtues to tell.Mendoza based Bodega. Kindly perfumed anouncing a not better palate where red cherries and a soft plummy edge dominate. Almost no oak component if any. I could list many malbecs under 7 bucks with more virtues. So a basic 76 points malbec overpriced and far from the bunch values around.

Canale Estate, Viognier 2009 good value and Patagonian typicity

Canale Estate, Viognier 2010, By Bodega Canale, USD 10



Very nice Viognier with straight lemony and melony notes. Enough acidity and ripe sweetness. An original white and a typical northpatagonia viognier this winery is pioneer. A 87 points white with good value component. To enjoy young as less than 2-3 years born.

Linea A, Malbec 2008, good value if less 7 bucks

Linea A, Malbec 2008, Bodega Cavas Andinas (Winery of Grupo Montes), USD 12



Basic Malbec with soft red brilliant anouncing a weak individual. Nice red cherries sour and sweet of a ripe fruit. Soft toasty notes. Not complex as you might expect from a 12 bucks malbec. Smooth all through the palate. Some bothering alcohol. Not a typical mendoza´s value An 85 points malbec clearly overpriced. Good value if less than 7-8 bucks,otherwise I wound´t buy it again. To drink before 4 years old.

7 Lunas, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, a very good Cab value from Las Compuertas

7 Lunas, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, By Puerta de los Andes (Tomás Achaval) , USD 12



A beauty Cab from las Compuertas district in Uco Valley. Nicely matured it shows good balance of black berries and a toasty note with sweet chocolate to round it up. A little toach of mint and clove. Lacks some varietal beauty notes like pepper and herbal.Very attractive in the palate with harmonious alcohol and acidity. A 88 points malbec with great typicity for las Compuertas. To enjoy 4-6 years of cellar. A very good value. Probably most int´l wines at 20 bucks level.

Altas Cumbres, malbec 2009, nice and timid Lujan de Cuyo

Altas Cumbres, malbec 2009, By Bodega Lagarde, USD 12



Gentle and fruity malbec from somewhere in Lujan de Cuyo Dpt, Central Mendoza.

Soft red brilliant with nice aromas of red cherries and delicate red quince jam. Baraly if any notes of oak. Not complex neither concentrated. Smooth all through the palate with short aftertaste. Typicity preserved. A 85 points malbec with acceptable price value if less than 7-8 bucks. A timid mendoza´s value lacking deepness. To enjoy young before 4 y/o. I´d enjoy it twice but won´t buy it twice.

Goyenechea, Centenario Malbec 2007, any worldwide red matches a 12 bucks

Goyenechea, Centenario, malbec 2007, By Bodegas Goyenechea, USD 6



A typical Malbec from Atuel Valley in San Rafael, South Mendoza.
Great balanced malbec with wide palate and at the same time smooth and vivid tannins. A deepness of ripe fruit mostly red berries and smoke caramel. From the deep ruby on you toach a delicate malbec.Gentle chocolate edge. Not complex neither concentrated to be a supermalbec.
A 86 points malbec to enjoy fully 4-6 years born. A great value for 6 bucks. I haven´t tasted any international wine from any place around the world meeting this quality for less than 12 bucks.

This terroir deep south Mendoza (San Rafael and Atuel River Valley) produces wines close in character to north Rio Negro and west La Pampa (25 de Mayo wines for example). Wide palate and nicely complex tannins. Good examples are Bianchi,25/5 (25 de Mayo), Goyenechea amongs others. 

Hereford, Cabernet Sauvignon, unbelievable value under 4 bucks

Hereford, Mejor ejemplar, Cabernet Sauvignon 20-?,By Andean Viñas,USD 4



Unbelievable value for 4 bucks! Nice balance of fresh fruits ,red bell pepper and soft chocolaty note. Quite equilibrated red enjoyable and hard to find a better value. All the central mendoza typicity in terms of a palatable and attractive red. An 85 points Cab to enjoy young and a great value. First time I see this quality for 4 bucks.

The wine was made in partnership with Hereford Breeders Association of Argentina. Well done by both of you guys!

Terrazas Reserva, malbec 2006, a typical but not remarkable Mendoza´s malbec

Terrazas Reserva, Malbec 2006, By Bodega Terrazas de los Andes (Moet Chandon), USD 17



Good Malbec from Lujan de Cuyo Dpt of central Mendoza.
Good palette of violets and figs with a mix of red cherries, black ones and plum sweet and cooked. Nice chocolate and slight smoke. Strong alcohol giving back up and nicely balanced. A malbec to enjoy its best 4-6 years born. Typicity well preserved even though it´s not a remarkable Mendoza´s malbec. An 89 points malbec with good value component.

Callia Reserve Malbec 2009, an impressive value under 6 bucks !

Callia Reserve, Malbec 2009, By Bodegas Callia (Salentein Wines), USD 5-6



A attractive malbec from Zonda Valley and Pedernal Valley, San Juan Province.
Nice brilliant and vivid red at the eye with explosive aromas of sweet ripe boysenberries and dark cherries candied. Same line through the palate finishing soon with a short aftertaste. Good balance of alcohol and acidity. It tastes like a fragil malbec to enjoy young and fresh before the fruit´s gone. Even so the balance and attractiveness worth the price. Most people would look it after twice to enjoy a good malbec for no money at all. An 85 points malbec with great value component.

There´s a brother named ' Callia Reserve´ which is a blend and similar in quality and price value (few times any argentinian close on that)

Atilio Avena Roble, Malbec 2008, good value under 10 bucks

Atilio Avena Roble, Malbec 2008, By Bodegas Atilio Avena, USD 8



Straight malbec from Maipu Departament, central Mendoza. Nice red fresh fruits wide in the middle palate (red cherries and some red plums) with an edge of chocolate and toast. Not deep neither concentrated but fair for under 10 bucks. A typical Mendoza´s value. A malbec easy to drink and enjoyable. A 85 points malbec better before 4-5 years old. A good value.

Vinorum Malbec premium 2004, an astonishing value for 10 bucks!

Vinorum Malbec Premium 2004, By Bodega Vinorum , USD 10



A very attractive malbec from Lujan de Cuyo Dpt, Mendoza.
Nice red brilliant and slightly soft for a typical Lujan malbec. Striking aromas right off the cup with red flowers and compoted fruits. Good palate all through with red cherries and caramelised plummy jam. Discrete chocolate and toast.A toach of likable leather probably a hint of brett. Good balance with attractiveness and balance over all. A mature malbec probably giving its best now (after 6-8 years old). A 91 points red with more than convenient value. A typical Argentina´s Malbec (great) value.

Andeluna Reserve Cab Sau 2005, an attractive Uco´s under 15

Andeluna Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, By Andeluna Cellars, USD 12



A nice Cabernet from Uco Valley with all the virtues of both a Cab and a Uco´s.
Deep brilliant red with black cherries and currant aromas that expands in the palate to an eucaliptus and peppery shade. Quite interesting cooked green bell peppers balancing the fruit. Chocolaty and toasty notes too. This series at this vintage will give its best after 6-8 years old no doubt. Now it shows some harsh backbone tha must polish beutifully in a couple of years. Today a 90 points Cab to go 92-3 a couple of years ahead. Great value. Great Uco´s under 15 bucks.

Ruca Malen, Malbec 2007,a good under 15 but not a high positioned in the list

Ruca Malen, malbec 2007, By Bodega Ruca Malen, USD 14



A nice and good malbec from Lujan de Cuyo, mendoza. Expressive aromas more so through the palate with red jummy fruits sour and ripe.Less plummy fruit than usual. Nice chocolate. More expressive at middle palate with short aftertaste. A 88 points malbec to enjoy 4-6 years born. A barely good value from Agrelo District of Lujan. Hard to remember at the top of the pick up a bottle list.

Colon, Malbec 2010, From Tulum Valley an under 5 winner

Colon, Malbec 2010, By Bodegas Colon , USD 4
Nice malbec from Tulum Valley, San Juan. Typical malbec blending of plummy and red cherries well perfumed  and wide resting in the nose and palate. Not a complex neither a sofisticated malbec, even it doesn´t show any oak stuff. Even so It satisfies your desire of drinking a malbec. Easy and just simple. A 83 points malbec and a winner from under 5 bucks. May go nice 2 years born for sure.

Santa Florentina, Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, another under 5 to win

Santa Florentina, Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, By La Riojana Coop , USD 5
Quite acceptable red from Famatina Valley (1,100 mts or 3,600 ft) in La Rioja, Argentina. Sweet black fruit ,I´d say black cherries, with a nice peppery edge well mixed. No choco neither any smoke or vanilla. Pure fruit in a nice balance with alcohol and acidity. I´d say to drink before 2 years old, even might go up to four given the soft tannins and balance. A 84 points Cab and a winner for under 5 bucks.

Los Cardos Malbec 2009 from Doña Paula, a good under 10

Doña Paula, Los cardos, malbec 2009 By Doña Paula, USD 8



Lowest line red from this winery Ugarteche (Lujan de Cuyo) based in Mendoza. Nice fresh acid fruits mostly red plum and raspberries. Most like slightly cooked plum jam. Some boysenberries notes too. A pinch of other things like chocolate and smoke. Not complex neither persistent. Young to drink soon. Acceptable value for the price. Not highlighted as a usual Mendoza value. A 84 points malbec with acceptable value component.

Callia Alta shiraz & bonarda 2010. Not what it used to be

Callia Alta, shiraz & bonarda 2010, By Bodega Callia (Salentein Wines Family), USD 5



Fruity and vanilla driven red with a hollow palate. Hard to believe but deceptive in terms of nice promising nose with floral and fruity vanilla aroma followed by a thin and weak red.Some plummy and cherry edge sour and fresh. Vineyards located on San Juan (Tulum Valley). A 77 points red I wound´t buy it twice. This series was higher in quality years back (like 2003). Probably different vineyards ,who knows?

Astica, Merlot & Malbec by Trapiche Winery. To forget

Astica, malbec & Merlot blend 2010, By Trapiche, USD 4



At this cost level you may find quite wide inter year variability in quality. A shame or not this often happens.Thin palate of red fruits more like cheap merlot with only a hint of fresh black berries. Straight red with no overt nothing.I woudn´t go more than 75 points. A cheap red I´d drink if nothing else available including water. Great winery but extremely poor wine

Caballero de la Cepa, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 oak, acceptable even not a typical mendoza´s value

Caballero de la Cepa, Cabernet Sauvignon Oak 2009, By Finca Flichman, USD 9

 Basic Cab with hardly any virtue other than barely drinkable. Some forrest red & black cherries mix balanced with a affordable peppery note.Good alcohol and enough acidity backup. A hint of smoke from oak contact somehow. Acceptable red but I wound´t look twice for it at the shelves. A 83 points barely worth the price to pay. It may stand alone for 4 years giving the tannins. Not a typical Mendoza´s value.

Ghirardelli, Sparkling Rose Nature, a fair price

Ghirardelli ,Sparkling Rose Nature, By Agrestis SA, USD 10 (75 dL)



Acceptable sparkling from Rio Negro. Pale red with nice ultrafine bubbles.Nose attack resemblant of red fruits.A timid shade of pears and melony notes giving fast place to a bitter and acidic backbone. Some may like it even I think its not easy neither friendly to drink. Its not complex anyway. I´d say a 84 points sparkling with fair price though not a typical argentina´s value.

Antucura 2004, Vistaflores Blend to keep it longing in the memory

Antucura 2004, cabernet sauvignon & Merlot blend, By Caviar Blue , USD 45



A single vineyard from Vistaflores, Tunuyan, Mendoza,blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Wonderful red with impressive tannins and complexity. Dark and ripe black plums and blackcherries long cooked with sour and sweet taste. Attractive chocolate and coffee edge give roundness. Soft eucaliptus hint. Slowly finishing aftertaste. Strong and brave backbone ready to evolve even better next 4 years. A 95 points blend and a great value too. A wine to remember and re enjoy in your memory. I haven´t tasted any Vistaflores better than this one.

Norton Bonarda 2010, you won´t be misleaded

Norton, Bonarda 2010, By Bodegas Norton, USD 4



An easy and light red although keeping the basics of a Mendoza´s Bonarda. Soft red cherries with little sour edge and a plummy note delicate and enough to taste it. Just lasting what the palate passage lasts. A peacefull moment with a light yet well grounded red to enjoy a Bonarda. Coudn´t avoid to mention any savory pasta or pizza dish alongside. A 82 points red with gentle and adequate price to keep the join at low cost.Two to four years old may be wellcome.

Las Perdices, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, great value & quality meeting part 3

Las Perdices, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, By Viña las Perdices (Bodega Juan Muñoz Lopez) USD 10



A beauty from Agrelo District in Lujan de Cuyo, Central Mendoza. All the virtues of a great value Mendoza gives. Nice black fruits wild and ripe with chocolate and a nice toach of pepper and spiciness to make it complex. Wide palate with a toach a red fruits in the middle typical of some vineyard altitudes (like 800-900 mts). To enjoy all the way from nose to aftertaste and vice versa. A 90 points red to cellar 4-6 years and get the better. Great value for sure to this meeting part 3

Tapiz Malbec 2008, great value & quality meeting part 2

Tapiz Malbec 2008, By Fincas Patagonicas, USD 10



Great Malbec blending different terroirs of central Mendoza. Beautifull mix of fresh ripe black fruits like blackcherries and plum with better envelope of chocolate dark and smooth. To enjoy from nose to aftertaste in whatever secuence you may pick up.
Balanced and gentle even well structured. A 90 points malbec with an unbeatable price/quality relation (like the other two of the series 'meeting´).Best after 4 years cellar to capture more complexity.

Vistalba Corte C 2006, great value & quality meeting part 1

Vistalba Corte C 2006, By Finca & Bodega Vistalba (Carlos Pulenta), USD 10



A great Mendoza´s value. Few wines around the world meet quality with terroir typicity at a 10 bucks level like this (same virtue for the last three posted: Las Perdices Cab Sav 2008, and Tapiz, malbec 2008). Elegant blend malbec based with velvety palate of ripe black fruits in a attractive balance with chocolate. Nice complexity and equilibrium with alcohol and acidity. A 90 points blend and a great value to enjoy the best in between 4-6 years age.

Calvulcura 2003 and Finca La Anita 2002 two contrasting values and two terroirs

(Tasted on July 2010)


Calvulcura, merlot & malbec 2003, USD 18



Nice blend from high Uco´s Valley ,Mendoza.
Probably close to plateau ending. Nice palette at the nose with red rose perfume and red berries. It covers the palate at the early and middle parts. Short aftertaste though. Nice young oaky stuff like vanilla and sweet cinnamon. May notice some plum jam too. I´l go 89 points with a very good value.






Finca La Anita, Malbec 2002, USD 30


Wonderful Malbec from Agrelo District of Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Beautiful fruit broad in the mouth with cherry like and raspberry too. Less plum and quince jam. Just soft smoke and choco envelope barely percived. Long lasting enyoyable. A delicate yet terroir driven malbec. I´woudn´t go less than 91 points for this very good value.

Mumm Domaine, a good son of San Rafael. The type of champenoise you call for more easily

Mumm, Domaine Sparkling Wine (NV), By Bodegas Mumm (Pernod Ricard), USD 15


Quite likable sparkling made of Chard and Pinot Noir from San Rafael Departament South Mendoza.Honney sweet aroma with nice peach and ripe apples. The palate is gentle and straight. Nice toasty edge to round up the complexity.Good aftertaste to enjoy.It doens´t have the green apple and acidity of many Champagnes. A sparkling of 90 points with a very good value. A good example of San Rafael´s quality sparkling wines.

Surcado Reserva Malbec 2007, wow value and quality

Surcado, Malbec 2007, By Lina M Gallardo (Bodega Herencias del Sur), Mendoza, USD 12



Absolutely great malbec for no money at all. I know the winemaker but the label doesn´t give much information at all. Great balance of black ripe fruits with a beautiful toast and chocolate surrounding. Boysenberries, blackcherries, less plum than usual all in a perfect acidity and alcohol edge. The beauty and balance are astonishing. A 93 points malbec to enjoy its vivid life for 6 years easily.






The winemaker is Gustavo Agostini, former chief winemaker at Bodega NQN. Sometime team partner in Salentein Wines and now SR chez at Sparklings in Moet Chandon Mendoza.

Durigutti Malbec 2008, a signature malbec with standard Mendoza´s Malbec beauty

Durigutti, Malbec 2008, By Pablo & Hector Durigutti, Mendoza 2008, USD 12



Good malbec with nice balance and all the stuff to enjoy easily. A signature wine with mendoza´s tipicity. Dark fruits ripe and sweet with a round chocolate. All in a polished edge of a nice alcohol and sourness. A wine of 89 points to enjoy before 4 years cellar with a very good value component. This type of Malbec made Argentinas´s Malbec a great value.