Salentien Reserve, Pinot Noir 2006, Good effort from Uco´s Valley

Salentein Reserva, Pinot Noir 2006, By Salentein Wines, USD 15

Nice Pinot from Uco´s Valley in Mendoza. Not a great terroir for pinot noir though. Nice sour red and black fruits with nice initial palate and soft smoky finish. Notes of mint and eucalyptus unusual for PN and typical for Uco´s Valley. Not very typical for what we expect from a traditional PN. A red for cellaring 6-8 years to get some terciary stuff some people may enjoy the most. I´d say a 86 points red with good value relation to price. Look for Primus Pinot Noir By Salentien Wines coming up soon. The `icono´ wine for this grape´s variety and terroir.

Wunn, Malbec Reserva 2007, nice bottle

Wunn, Malbec Reserva 2007, By Chacras del Sol, USD 16

Thinny malbec from Northpatagonia must say. Nice aromas rom ripe and lightly cooked reddys like cherries ,raspberries and plum. Nice alcohol and acidity but short middle palate with cheap old barrel component like chocolate and wet wood. A wine for not more than 4 years. I´d say 84 points and bad value for the price.

FIN Malbec 2007, A wonder about to bloom

FIN, Malbec 2007, By Bodega del Fin de Mundo, USD 30

Wonderful Malbec from San Patricio´s Valley in Neuquen, Northpatagonia.

As vineyards get older wines improve quite a bit. This happens with these close to 7 yrs old vines. This malbec is wide, juicy and balanced. Nice red color with bright look. Beautiful tannins of adecuated riped grapewines. Red and black fruits and a soft lasting end with a chocolate and smoky touch. Very complex and attractive.I guess it´l get better in 5-7 years cellar. A 91 points malbec and a good value. These vines will surely give there best in the upcoming years and those wines will be better than most Mendoza´s Malbecs. Cross my heart on this.

Lindaflor, Malbec 2005, A sensory bomb from Uco´s Valley

Lindaflor, Malbec 2005, By Monteviejo, USD 35

Wondeful malbec from Uco´s Valley Mendoza

Deep and dark red with wonderful nose and better palate. Strong backbone with sweet fruits mostly ripe black boysenberries and currants in a all through palate ending long after with a smoky and chocolate little touch. Nice complexity. Gorgeous balance and attractiveness. If this much at 5 years I´d bet It´ll be even better by 8-10 years old. I´d say a 94 points red great value too.

Arnaldo B, Gran Reserva 2004 & 2006, A Big Boy from Cafayate Valley, Salta

Arnaldo B, Gran Reserva 2004 & 2006, By Bodegas Etchard, USD 25

Typical blend from Cafayate´s Valley in Salta with Malbec mostly and filled in the blanks with some Cab Savignon and Tannat (that grows nice in high lands,close to 6,500 ft/2000 mts, of Cafayate). A beautiful color mostly deep red and dark but brilliant not concentrated. Frank from the aroma down to aftertaste. Much sour blackberries,plum and boysenberries finishing with some cocoa and vanilla nicely brushed. Soft herbs and fresh red sweet pepper. Wide middle palate and nice ending too. The 2004 more balanced toward complexity and the 2006 vintage more fruity and alcoholic. Both quite attractive reds with beautiful typicity for Cafayate without unbalance. Strong backbone initially harsh but pretty soon a sip after sip wish. A red for 6-8 years cellar with growing complexity.I tried 8 yrs old well kept and they were mostly dying. I´d say a 90 point red with great value component.

Malma Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, a beauty well matured by a proper vintage

Malma Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, By Bodega NQN, USD 14

Beauty from San Patricio´s Valley, Neuquén, Nothpatagonia. A Cab well matured with deep

red bluish dense moving in the cup. Attractive tannins with strong backbone and black fruits sour cooked and touching alcohol. Nice early and middle palate and less impressive ending with cocoa and tabacco. A wine to enjoy after 5-6 years if cork,cellar and vintage allow. I´d say a 89 points Cab with great value component.

Pasion 4, Merlot 2007, Nice and round

Pasion 4, Merlot 2007, By R Joffre & Hijas Winery, USD 8

Nice merlot from mendoza. Fresh boisenberries and sweet spice like clove with hint of green

peppercorn. Frankly it doesn´t taste like a Uco´s Valley but more like a Perdriel district of Lujan de Cuyo Dpt. Great balance but a soft red with better initial palate and short end. Good value for this I´d say 85 points merlot with equilibrated typicity. Not for cellaring more than 4 years.

If it were more concentrated and maintaining the balance with oak it´ll be a 90 points merlot for 20 bucks.

Trumpeter, Reserve Petit Verdot 2008, Rutini Wines pushes forward

Trumpeter Reserve Petit Verdot 2008, Rutini Wines, USD 13

A roud Petit Verdot from Ugarteche district in Lujan de Cuyo Dpt  in Mendoza. Deep red and brilliant. Nice sour plumand some sweet forest small fruits. Nice red bell pepperish and gentle green fresh herbs.Almost no spice nor mint. Smoky finish but a short aftertaste. Adequate typiciy for terroir and variety and average attractiveness. I´d say 85 points red with barely acceptable value to price. A wine for less than 4 years cellar.

Tomero Malbec 2008, beauty from Vistalba District

Tomero Malbec 2008 By Carlos Pulenta Winery, USD 13

Beauty from Vistalba distric of Lujan de Cuyo Dpt Mendoza with a very good value component to price. Nice red dark and bright. Attractive from the beginning with violets flowers and rich ripe fruit. Balanced palate with high dark and red small fruits like red currant and cherries finishing tosty. No bothering acidity or alcohol. A red for cellar fewer than 4 years. I´d say a 87 points malbec.

Crios , By Susana Balbo, malbec 2008, nice label not wine

Crios By Susana Balbo, Malbec 2008, USD 12

Just barely balanced malbec from Lujan de Cuyo, mendoza. Simple acid plum and raspberry fruits

with striking acidity almost bothering. Not very fruity and actually a bitterness not very attractive.

Young red for 4-6 years cellar. But I wouldn´t go more than 84 points and no good value at all.

Ventus Malbec Roble 2009, supertypicity Northpatagonia

Ventus, Malbec Roble 2009, By Bodega del Fin del Mundo, USD 5

Latest release from Northpatagonia (San Patricio´s Valley). A simple malbec but well conceived. Correct balance with nice typicity conveying red acid fruits lightly cooked, soft mint and green peppercorn. Hint of smoke at the end. The palate is neat all through. A red for 2-4 years at most. I´d say 85 points with very good value for 5 bucks.

Three fast friends for 4 bucks, La Niña,La Consulta,Callia Alta

La Niña, Malbec 2008, Ugarteche distric in Lujan de Cuyo,By Bodega Don Cristobal 1492,USD 4. Nice malbec with the mix it´s got to have. Deep reddish with violet nose and and mix of red smallfruits and plum (lets say a hint of merlot stick out!) with nice middle palate finishing with hint of smoke.

La Consulta, Malbec Roble 2009, Uco´s Valley, By Finca la Celia, USD 4 (probably sold int´l as Angaro or Furia) Lighter red with sweet cherries and harsh smoke ending. No very malbec but nice.

Callia Alta, Shiraz & Mabec 2009, Tulum´s Valley ,San Juan, By Salentien ,USD 4

Nice red deep with some purple. Fruity balanced with lots of coconuts. Entertains nicely the palate though.

Three 4 bucks to enjoy easily and get paid even. Only La Niña reminds a malbec. Callia Alta won´t deceive.La Consulta shows a oversimplified easy red. Alone or with people I figure they all go nicely with finger food.

Quieto 2005, by Bodega Montequieto, great value

Quieto 2005, By Bodega Montequieto, Agrelo District in Lujan de Cuyo Departament, Mendoza, USD 10.

Beauty blend with 50% Cab Frank ,30% Malbec and 20% Cab Sauvignon. First hand fruit ripe and moderate in acidity like cherries, plum and boysenberry. Hint of quince marmalade. Hint of smoke at the end too. Quite pleasure through the palate ,mostly initial and middle. A red to see evolve in 6-8 years cellar even it´s `unprotected´given the short barrique cellar. I´d say a 89 points red with very great value component.

Colonia Las Liebres, Bonarda 2008, By Altos Las Hormigas, you´ll see !

Colonia Las Liebres, Bonarda 2008, Altos La Hormigas, USD 12

Nice unoaked Bonarda from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Straight fruit like acid red plum righ off the tree a little before completely ripe. Kind of monotonous though. Wide palate with nice acidity and great middle part. Not longer aftertaste though. Young red for not more than 4 years cellar. I´d say 83 points and not even a good value .I feel it expensive.

La Linda, Chardonnay unoaked 2009 ,very nice effort by Luigi Bosca

Finca La Linda, Chardonnay unoaked 2009, By Luigi Bosca, USD 10

Beauty from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Nice fresh peach and pineapple with a little bit of applesauce. Not sweet melting but rather balanced and fruity. Vivid acidity but delicate. Complete palate passage with short aftertaste. Young and fine white. I´d say 88 points and a very good value price.

Gascon Malbec 2006, a basic Malbec from Lujan de Cuyo

Gascon, Malbec 2006, USD 12

Typical malbec from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza by Bodega Escorihuela Gascón. Nice fruit mostly blackberries and currant with some tiny plum marmalade. Soft smoky end with balanced acidity and alcohol in the middle. Not to remember but nice and basic Malbec. I´d say 86 points on this good value. For sure not to cellar more than 4 years without loss.

Ventus 2010 & UNO 2009, fast track under 4 bucks

Ventus 2010 (merlot, malbec, Cab Sau) USD 4 & UNO 2009 (Cab Sau, sangiovese) USD 3 The first blend from San Patricio´s Valley in Neuquen, Northpatagonia (by Bodega Fin del Mundo) and the second from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza (by Bodega Tittarelli) display nice simplicity with fresh sweet fruit with no oak whatsoever. Ventus 2010 shows more ruby and deep red with more boysenberries and rose. UNO 2009 shows lighter red with sweet cherries and raspberries. Both wines are to drink in the year or two from harvest. Easy drinking and likeable for no money that I feel ideal for finger food. You won´t remember the brand but it´ll go nicely as planned.

Chateaux Vieux 2000, A spanish style `Mendocino´

Chateaux Vieux 2000, Bodega Lopez, USD 12

Original blend from Maipu Departament in Mendoza. Cabernet Sauvignon with Pinot noir and Malbec aged in Big French Cascs for 8 years before bottling. Soft aromas of sweet pomegranade and humid oak chips well entangled. Attractive initial and middle palate with mostly red small cherries and a rather short end. Globally soft with nice alcohol and strong oak evolved into sweet terciary tastes.Already aged. Not to cellar much. I´d say a 86 points red with good value price. A `Mendocino´red with spanish aging tradition.

D.V. Catena Nature 2006, A terrific sparkling

D.V. Catena Nature 2006, Bodega Catena Zapata, USD 45

Absolutely outrageous sparkling from Mendoza.

Nice smoke and tost completed with a wide palate showing peach, citrus and tropical fruits. Velvety and buttery like a peanut butter with honey bee over a tost. Round and very attractive. One of the top 5 sparking from Argentina no doubt. I´d say 93 points and unbeatable price value. The great structure will make it last well for 8-10 years without loss.

Quara, Torrontes Barrique Aged 2006, wondeful Cafayate´s

Quara Torrontes Barrique aged 2006, USD 12, Bodega F. Lavaque.

Beautiful withe fron Cafayate´s Valley ,Salta

Exquisite aroma of white flowers and grapefruit with a hint of rue plant typical of Torrontes.

Delicious palate mostly middle sweet and soft ripe peach grapefruit and melon. Nice smoke and velvety from oak. Very attractive balance with its 14% alcohol. It may live without loss for a couple of years more so it could be terrific for up to 6-7 years. I´d say a 90 points white with absolutely unbeatable price value.

Lagarde Reserva, Malbec 2008, Elegant and fruity

Lagarde Malbec Reserva 2008. Bodega Lagarde, USD 17

Nice and delicate malbec from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. Absolutely balanced and elegant malbec with red fruits and plum. Mouth filling with a hint

of chocolate and smoke. Nice passage through palate and nice aftertaste too. I feel it should be better up to 4-6 years of cellaring. i´d say a 89 points malbec with good value price.

Alcayata, Malbec & Syrah 2006, F.Lourton. Simple and Concentrated

Alcayata, Malbec & Syrah 2006, Bodega F. Lourton,USD 14

Nice blend from a single vineyard in Uco´s Valley, Mendoza.

Dark color but simple nose and palate. Nice plum and violets with hint of spice like black pepper and oregano. Hints of smoke and vanilla. Great inicial palate but fades away soon. Lacks complexity, backbone and memory. Not a red for more than 4-6 years cellar. I´d say 86 points blend with barely acceptable price value. I don´t see tyicity from Uco but it is enjoyable red.

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.