Colección Nqn. 2005, Patagonia Universe, USD 20 , By Bodega NQN

Wonderful blend from San Patricio´s Valley in Neuquen (NQN) NorthPatagonia. This blend brings enormous concentrated and juicy fruits ,mostly black ones with some quince and plum too. A great acidity and alcohol around with hints of spice. Nice lingering and wide palate. It looks on its best by now and I don´t think it will be better in 1-2 yrs. I´ll go 93 points on this red. A great value no doubt and a vivid example of Patagonia´s reds.

AVE, Gran Riserva, Malbec 2006, An Italo-Argentinian venture

AVE, Gran Riserva Malbec 2006, Proyecto Mas, USD 20

Nice malbec from lujan de Cuyo, mendoza by Proyecto Mas, an Italian based group.

Tipicity preserved in a well structured wine but not very attractive. Some acidity that I feel

not likeable nor attractive either. It turns the fruit into something oxidated. I´l say 88 points

with an acceptable price value.

Occasionale 2006, Bodega Nieto Senetiner, USD 28

Unusual blend of Lujan de Cuyo, mendoza with malbec, syrah,petit verdot and accelotta.

Nice fruit ripe and complex mix of red and more usual plum/berries. Soft palate throughout with

beautiful hints of coconut and vanilla ending on smoke. I woudn´t drink this beyond 5-6 yrs of age.

I´d say a 89 points wine with no good value for the price,at least taking into account the wines tasted here.

Famiglia Bianchi, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, a beauty from the `south oasis´

Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, Bodega Valentin Bianchi,USD 18

Beautiful Cab from San Rafael Valley south of Mendoza (the `south oasis´) with a good value

component. Balanced fruits with nice acidity and alcohol keeping the attractiveness alive.

From the start off you see a deep red and a nice nose.The palate is more expressive at the end

with dark fruits and smoke/choco stuff. Quite attractive. I´ll go 90 points on this good value 7 years after born and probably living its last 1-2 years.

FIN ,Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Nice Cab from Neuquén

FIN del Mundo, single vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, USD 28

Nice & typical Cab from San Patricio´s Valley in Neuquén Province, NorthPatagonia. Bodega del Fin del Mundo.Attractive Cab with curious structure of sweet ripe cherries and raspberries with a touch of blackberries ,choco & smoke and filling cooked eggplant. It touches all the palate ending with some herbaceous tone.I guess a red for no more the 6 years cellaring. I´d say 89 points red but just a barely acceptable price value.

Urban Uco, Malbec and Tempranillo 2004 from Uco´s Valley

Urban Uco, Malbec & Tempranillo 2004 by O. Fournier, USD 12

Nice and original blend from Uco´s Valley made from tempranillo and malbec in 50/50. Strong backbone with sweet violets and black fruits in addition of plum in jammy. Good smoke and chocolate. Great middle palate better than initial and aftertaste. I feel it was better a couple of years back. Like It should be the best time by 4-5 yrs from harvest. I´d say a 89 point red with a good value component given by price.

Finca La Linda, Malbec 2008, Great Value from Luigi Bosca Winery

Finca La Linda, Malbec 2008, USD 8 from Lujan de Cuyo ,Mendoza

Delicate malbec like few (other good example upgrading to 15 bucks is Lagarde Reserva Malbec

whatever vintage) with exquisit balance of ripe red and black fruits softly made jam. It travels through all the palate smootly and velvety. Nice smoke very soft and also a quite attractive spice not usual for malbec. Completely mature. This is a red to get the best before 3 years old. I´d say 88 points and a great value too.

Andeluna, Malbec & Merlot 2007, from Tupungato area the best

Andeluna Malbec & Merlot 2009, Tupungato ,Mendoza 2007, USD 10

Good values from Uco´s Valley in Mendoza. Strong varietals with small oak accompaniment mostly dark choco and smoke softly. Ripe and wide palate with moderate aftertaste. Malbec more to plum and blueberries and small boisenberries. Merlot more to red cherries and raspberries. Super balanced. I´d guess better by 4-5 yrs from harvest.This time I´d say 89 points both reds. Good values though. Better in 1-2 years cellar.

Atos Pampa Roble, Malbec 2009, Great Value from Calamuchita´s Valley

Atos Pampa, Malbec Roble 2009, USD 8

Very attractive malbec from Atos Pampa,Calmuchita´s Valley in Córdoba.

A high altitude wine (4000 ft) at the pre-andes montains. Young and fruit driven red with ripe plum, red cherries and quince jam, all typical of Argentinian Malbec. Well balanced with nice vanilla and more chocolate.Rich and inviting. I´d say 89 points with an great value component. Unfortunately small quantities locally sold.

Footnote: the Cab Sau 2009 `Roble´ is kind in general terms, small shift to herbaceous and soft spicy notes well cooked by the strong high calamuchita´s valley sun.

Atos Pampa, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, great value from Calamuchita´s Valley, Córdoba

Atos Pampa, Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, USD 12
Great Cabernet from Calamuchita´s Valley, Córdoda. A high valley (1,200 mt, 4,000 ft) close to andes montains. Nice balanced and ripe cabernet with beautiful black fruits and sweet red peppers notes. Mouth watering initial and middle palate with nice vanilla and chocolate all over but exquisitely entangled. A little bit short but nice concentration. I guess a 2-4 yrs cellaring wine. I´d say a 90 points red. A great value.

Putruele Cab Sauvignon and Syrah 2007, good son of San Juan

Putruele Cabenert & Syrah 2007, USD 8
Personal belnd from San Juan Province. Nice blend with mostly ripe black small fruits like black currant and blueberries. Good backbone of sweet tannins. Nothing like tipical Cab sauv around. Hints of speciness and smoke. Overall well balanced. Living its best time I guess. In my mind a good wine for up to 4 yrs. I´d say a 84 points red with A barely acceptable value component.

25/5 La Pampa, Malbec 2006; Terrific malbec from the northeast Patagonia

25/5 La Pampa, Malbec 2006, USD 10
Terrific malbec from the northest Patagonia (25 de Mayo, La Pampa).Bodega del  Desierto.Beautifull fresh fruits like cherries, raspberries and plum with some more cooked ones like quince. Wide palate with nice and round tannins. Vanilla and choco at the middle and final palate and aftertaste make it complete. Short lasting to be a great wine. In my mind it sould go very well for 5-7 yrs from harvest. I´d say a 90 points malbec with a unusual complexity and attractiveness. A great Value no doubt.

Alamos, Malbec 2009, a barely acceptable malbec

Alamos, Malbec 2009, USD 10

Basic wine from Mendoza by Catena Wines. Attractive nose with somehow deceptive palate reaching no more than basics facts of malbec. Short palate and some level of oxidation not attractive indeed. I woudn´t cellar this wine more than 2 yrs. Far more attractive and solid wines on the shelf of 10 bucks. I´d say 83 points red with barely an acceptable value. I wonder if this wine and that exported are the same. Some wineries advance this information (say Trapiche) ,some others don´t.

Septima Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec 2006, good value

Septima, Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec 2006, USD 6

Nice Cab fron Agrelo District of Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Spanish Winery (Codorniú) doing great wines in Mendoza. This line is low cost good value component for a straight red ready to drink immediately up to 1-2 yrs. Basic red with good qualities reaching attractive tones. Fruit based with typicity for both variety and terroir and balance with only a hint of smoke. Easy to drink and far from bombastic.This red pays what it costs. I´d say 83 points with a good value point too.

(BLIND TASTING)

Andeluna Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, USD 18

Superbious Cab from Uco´s Valley Mendoza.This red pops up a wide palette of black fruit mostly and beautifully balanced with green peppers and black spicy pepper. Broad palate and complete:early,middle and end. Aftertaste no very long (if it were so I ´d say a perfect wine). Moderated oaky stuff like choco and smoke with hint of vanilla. Mostly a balanced and attractive red with small oak support. It cound´t get any better for my palate, but foresee a twist of complexity in a few years coming. Andeluna´s reserve got there maximun after 4 to 6 yrs and keep maturing in complexity even up to 7-8 yrs (as far as I followed the line my self). I´say 92 point Cab with unbeatable price.

El Albar, Toro DOC 2001, F.Lurton, from Spain; Not meant to describe. Just say an old fashion wine strong and oxidated with nice style. It went 88 points (USD 35) with acceptable value for a style. Totally different style.

D.V. Catena,Malbec Adrianna Vineyard 2003, USD 69

Very good malbec from Tupungato, Mendoza

Nice bordeaux and violet sparkles ( this lilac or purple is typical of young malbecs and kind of strange for a 2003 malbec) Nice aromas of ripe fresh plum and jammy mince and small red fruits. Good oak envelope mostly chocolate and smoke and a hint of vanilla. Broad wine and lasting. I feel it not very alive. I´ll go 89 points for a not very good value.

Mainqué, Merlot 2007, USD 30

A singular merlot from Rio Negro´s Valley Northpatagonia (where I live in)

Must say this merlot´s aromas are not very expressive, kind of not vivid neither brightfull as I´d expect from a merlot. Intriguing dark fruit with nice spice moderate.Good and soft oak envelope. Strong backbone acid makes it difficult to me to enyoy.May be more cellaring (?) I´d say a 86 points red overpriced. Some palates will find more attractive than I do.

Valle Azul, syrah 2007, good red from Rio Negro

Valle Azul, syrah 2007, USD 30

Nice red from Alto Valle de Rio Negro (where I live in). Must say neither typical syrah nor that high price for it. You get good balance of fresh dark fruit with nice acidity and alcohol from around here. Hints of smoke and overall good passage through middle and final palate. No much spicy stuff wanted for a syrah (I think should). Overall I´d say a 87 points red over priced (tha´s relative though)

Finca La Celia, Heritage, Malbec 2006, good value

Finca La Celia, Heritage, Malbec 2006, USD 29

Nice malbec fron Uco´s Valley, Mendoza

Good value malbec with typical plum and red & black cherries jam soaked in a simple oak base like coconut and choco smoky stuff. Attractive and typical from high Mendoza Uco´s Valley.

Not a long aftertaste neither a good concentration. I´ll go 89 points for a good value.

Don Juan Nahuel, Reserva, Malbec 2005; Nice malbec and nice oak

Don Juan Nahuel, Reserva, Malbec 2005, USD 38

Wonder from Lunlunta distric (Maipu) and Agrelo distric (Luja de Cuyo) Mendoza. The first release of Gustavo Santaolalla (musician Oscar winning) and friends. Wine to enjoy a good fruit´s palette with nice oak. Rich mixture of oak and fruit fresh and ripe. Vanilla and coconut envolve all the red cherries ,black currant and plum in it. Balanced and attractive result. Good middle passage through palate. Not very long lasting though and that´s the only fault. I´ll go 90 points. Good value that I wound´t cellar better more than 4 -6 yrs.

Desierto 25/5, Merlot 2005, far better than most mendoza´s merlot

Desierto 25/5 Merlot 2005, USD 10

Striking merlot from 25 de mayo,High Rio Colorado Valley ,La Pampa. One merlot with great typicity for grape and showing striking attractiveness. Ripe and abundant black cherries and black currant coverd nicely with strong chocolate. Sweet tannins and wide in the palate. Dashes of soft spice like black pepper. Not very lasting though. I´d say 89 points with an excelent value. Far better than most Mendoza´s Merlots.

Calvulcura 2003 and Finca La Anita Malbec 2002, Good and better

Calvulcura, merlot & malbec 2003, USD 18

Nice blend from high Uco´s Valley ,Mendoza.

Probably close to plateau ending. Nice pallete at the nose with red rose perfume and red berries.

It covers the palate more at the early and middle parts. Short aftertaste. Nice young oaky stuff like vanilla and sweet cinnamon. May notice some plum jam too. I´l go 87 points with an acceptable 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 mince jam.

Just soft smoke and choco envelope barely perceived. Long lasting enyoyable. I´woudn´t go less than 91 points for this very good value.

Finca La Anita, Tocai Friulano 2002, terrific white from Agrelo District

Finca La Anita, Tocai Friulano 2002, USD 17

Beauty finesse from Agrelo Distric if Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza.

Nice herbal and melon aroma with peach in a nice acidity and alcohol. A deep with with broad palate.No oak at all (as read on the label: ¨no oak to honor the grapes quality¨). I´d say 90 points white with very good value on it.

Four Superpremium Malbecs USD 40-65,some wonderful,some forgettable

(same day Blind Tasting)

Angélica Zapata, Alta Malbec 2004, USD 44 (sold Int´l as `Catena Alta´)

Wonderful Malbec from different parts of Mendoza, ripe and attractive fruit driven but nice new oaky stuff.Wide palate with red and black wild berries mostly ripen and jammy. Gentle tannins with clear coconuts and vanilla with final chocolate. Nice lasting aftertaste. Good balance. I´d say 91 points red with a very good value component for a great malbec

Calle 15, KM 20, Malbec 2004 USD 44.

Nice Malbec from Agrelo district in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Good beginning but halted by a rustic old fashion wine with notes of oxidation. The fruit tastes compoted and somehow colorless. I´d say a 83 points wine with bad value component.

Riglos ,Gran Malbec 2005, USD 44

Wondeful Malbec from Uco´s Valley with all the typicity, attractivness and balance. More balanced than Angelica´s Alta 2004. The oak stuff is deeper and merged in a elegant backbone.

It grows bigger with a couple of hours of decanting. Less fine oak dashes like coco and vanilla and more smoke and choco at the end. More cooked fruit. It might mature better in a couple of years losing some fruit brighting now.I´d say 92 points for a very good value too.

D.V. Catena, Nicasia Vineyard Malbec 2003, USD 65

Wonderful Malbec from San Carlos distric of Uco´s Valley, Mendoza Imposing red complete and seductive. Perfect fruit from malbec (plum, balckberries,boysenberries,mince jam) with wonderful structure extremely balanced reaching all the palate. Fantastic lingering. I´ll go 93 points with this malbec that even may grow more mature in a couple of years.

Trapiche Varietales, Malbec 2009, barely acceptable value

(375 ml bottle depicted)

Trapiche Varietales, Malbec 2009, USD 4

Basic wine from Mendoza somewhere around. The bottles sold in Argentina come from Santa Rosa departament and those sold international come from High Mendoza River (Lujan de Cuyo & Maipú departaments).Timid expressions of malbec tipicity. A soft but round and likable wine. May be the bottles sold Int´l are different.This one I woudn´t go more than 78 points and a barely acceptable value. There are a bunch of red labels 3-4 bucks with a substantial better value.

Ricardo Santos, Sémillon 2009, a must try unbeatable Sémillon

Una Selección de Ricardo Santos, Sémillon 2009, USD 15

A wonderful Sémillon from Lunlunta district of Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza.

A complex and attractive white with a balanced structure of white peach and pineapple mixed with small amounts of tropical fruits like melon.The palate is complete. Strong body with great minerality, honey sweet and bitterness berry stem like and also some buttery oak stuff gently involving. Solid backbone with long lasting aftertaste that entertains your memory putting apart its elements. I´d say 93 points white with a wonderful value component.

Bramare, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, good value

Bramare, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, USD 30

Good Cab from Perdiel distric of Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza.Not as good as the malbec brother but nicely presented. Fruits ripe and sweet are present.

Not very Cab though in terms of complexity. Fine oak arragement of coconut,vanilla and chocolate.

Nice palate throughout with lasting memory. I´d go 89 points with a good value though.

Sur de los Andes, Malbec Gran Reserva 2006, just a good value

Sur de los Andes, Gran Reserva, Malbec 2006, USD 20

Nice malbec from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Better nose than palate. Soft fruits mostly black ones

with pleasant alcohol and acidity. A little bit hollow and empty in the middle palate (wich is the strongest point in malbec argentino). Nice cheap (second & third use) oak at the end (choco and smoke) gives roundness. Lack complexity and finesse.I´d say 88 point red with barely a good value component.

Punto Final, Malbec Reserva 2006, just barely good value

Punto Final, Reserva, Malbec 2006, USD 18

Nice malbec from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza.

Fruit driven red with simple impact and smooth tannins ending with soft smoke and chocolate.

It doesn´t look to improve any farther. The palate dominates the middle component with

just a little aftertaste. Lacks complexity.Born to be and end young in up to 4 yrs old.I´d say 88 points red

with just a good value.

Finca Los Gigantes 2005, old fashion gone bad

Finca Los Gigantes, 2005, USD 17

Extrange blend from NorthPatagonia (Añelo, Neuquén). Compote fruit (oxidated) with no vivid bright mostly like and old fashioned European red. This time lacking the sweetness typical (very nice) of some oxidated old world reds. Short and no memorable at all. I´woudn´t go more than 83 points. No good value at all.

Callia Magna, Shiraz 2008, undoubtely a Great Value

Callia Magna, Shiraz 2008, USD 8-9

Nice Syrah from Tulum Valley, San Juan ,Argentina

Attractive red from the beginning with a clean ruby brilliant. You get sweet cherries and blueberries on the nose mixed with a soft smoke. Very little spiceness I wish were more. Attractive palate too mostly middle. No awkward hint. Round a soft. Lack lasting memory. I´d say 87 point red with a great value component no doubt.

Pulenta State, Gran Cabernet Franc XI, 2007,Good value

Cabernet Franc XI Pulenta State Winery, USD 25
Good value from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza
Clear notes of blackberries and blueberries, ripe and cooked mixed together. Nice middle palate with short aftertaste. Good balance in acidity and alcohol but lacks personality to remember. A good red but hard to stick out from the rest. I´d say a 88 points red with barely a good value.

Finca La Anita, Semillon 2004, Wonderful white form Agrelo

Finca La Anita,Semillon, 2004, USD 18
Great Sémillon from Alto Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo distric ,Mendoza
Dry leaf notes with sweet honey and a wonderful middle palate ending with radicchio herbal. A teerific semillon ripe and complex with strong alcohol and acidity endurance. I´d say a 90 points wine with a spectacular value for the price.

Diego Murillo, Malbec 2007, nice patagonian for everyday

Diego Murillo, Malbec 2007, USD 4

An everyday red with some Patagonian character. The nose´s very interesting and attractive. Afterwards not followed by the short palate and thin structure. Mostly soft and hollow. I´d choose it with a casserole, pot roast or bake well spiced. Anyway no more than 79 points wine with an adequate value for the price.

Humberto Canale Estate. Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot 2008, very good value & typicity

Humberto Canale Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot 2008, USD 10

Very good red from Alto Valle de Rio negro, NorthPatagonia

Clear patagonian with deep dark ripe fruit in a strong alcohol and acidity with typical eucalyptus notes. Nice balance with gentle tannins. The palate shows more middle component but exquisite end of palate too. Soft smoke aftertaste. I´d say 89 points with a very good value. Just lacks concentration to be an excelent one.

Desierto Pampa, 2006, a complete palate for a great value

Desierto Pampa , USD 25

Very Good blend from 25 de Mayo, La Pampa, NorthPatagonia

Quite balanced and attractive Cab Sau, Merlot & Cab Franc Nice red fruits with firm tannins.Slight smoke and chocolate. A wine woth trying because you feel the palate complete with nice aftertaste. I´d say 90 points for a great value.

Nomade, Malbec 2006, another good value from Uco´s Valley

Nomade, Malbec 2006, USD 9

Good Malbec from San Carlos distric ,Uco´s Valley

Typical Uco´s with clear red acid fruit in a thin and great middle palate. Soft smoke and a little,very little hint of eucalyptus and mint. It´s not wide in the palate, like all Uco´s too. Overall balanced and attractive. I´d say 88 points red with good value.

Desierto 25/5, Cabernet Franc 2005, great value from La Pampa

Desierto 25/5, Cabernet Frank 2005, USD 10

Terrific red from 25 de Mayo, La Pampa, Northpatagonia

Quite like merlot in red fruit aroma with nice tannins ,a soft spice and smoke and quite wide in palate. Mostly middle palate and good aftertaste, better than the onset taste. One of those reds you want to repeat sip after sip because its great balance and roundness. I´d say 89 points wine with great value quality.

Luigi Bosca Gala 1, Malbec & Petit Verdot & Tannat 2006,beautiful blend to get enchanted

Gala 1, Malbec-Petit Verdot & Tannat, USD 30

Fron highest disctric in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Terrific blend with plenty of fruits with wide palette (figs,blackberries,plum,cherries) and very gentle in palate stance. Nice palate mostly inicial and middle with a timid end . A hint of vanila too. This is the type of red to enyoy in any occacion, with or without food. I´d say 90 points wine and a very good value.

Finca La Anita,Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, great Agrelo District value

Finca La Anita, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, USD 35

Very attractive Cab from Agrelo Distric in Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza.Beautiful red and black dark fruit like blackberries entangled with sweet bell pepper-like tones in a soft and tender tannins deep. A little hint of oregano and smoke. The palate enyoys from the early to final passage. Not very long lasting though. A gentle Cab with finesse. I´d say 90 points with a very good value.

Black Tears, malbec 2006, wonderful even for frantic anti-oak guys

Black Tears, Malbec 2006, USD 38

Wonderful Malbec from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Beautiful blend of flowers,fruits and oak in a strong backbone of sweet tannins.

The oak (mostly vanilla and coconut with choco too) doesn´t blind the fruit but it goes enchained one with another. It covers well the palate from the beginning. A little bit overexpressed or concentrated but equally gorgeous. I´d say a 92 points and a very good value. You must be a frantic anti-oak to not enyoy this red. I dont´remember any reasonable one.

Finca Koch, Reserva, Colección de Cava, 2007; Not a good value

Finca Koch, Reserva 2007,Colección de Cava, USD 16

Blend mostly Malbec and Cab Sau with some Merlot from Tupungato´s Valley,Mendoza.Nice but not a good value. Typicity of terroir with nice fruit mostly black ripe berries with good middle palate but short and not complex et all. Hint of coconut and chocolate. It won´t go bad with any dinner but you won´t remember it either. I´d say 85 points red. Great value if up to 7-8 bucks!