Zuccardi, ‘Serie A’, Malbec-Tempranillo, 2020, Mendoza, Argentina
Another really good Argentinan red blend of Malbec and Tempranillo that’s dry, refined, with firm tannins and easy to drink. Good flavours and length make this £12 bottle of wine very good value.
Enrique Foster, Ique, Cabernet Franc, 2017, Mendoza, Argentina
This Cab Franc from Enrique Foster, Mendoza, Argentina is a bit different to the usual Cabernet Franc wines I drink. There’s the typical black fruit flavours with hints of tobacco and leather but it’s also very oaky and austere. The flavour hits the front palette and stops. It’s got reasonable length but at £15 a bottle it’s pricy for what it is. The wife on the other was very pleased so that’s a benefit.
Finca La Celia, Heritage, Malbec, 2012, Argentina
This is another excellent Malbec from Mendoza in Argentina, Finca La Celia with their Heritage, Malbec shows that they’re top notch producer. There loads of long length flavours of black fruit with leather and chocolate notes and hints of a herby undertone. Dry, smooth and well integrated firm tannins its a great wine.
We had it with brisket thst was slow cooked for 10 hours and it went very well. At £30 a bottle it’s reasonable value given the quality
Agrelo, Gran Enemigo, Cab Franc, 2014, Argentina
You don’t see as much Cabernet Franc as you should given how amazing this grape is and this Agrelo, Gran Enemigo from Argentina is flipping brilliant. Its dry, smooth, good tannins which are well integrated with plenty of red and black fruit flavours that last so long. There’s oak and earthiness that balance just so beautifully.
Its not cheap but for special occasions just perfect. We had it with slow cooked brisket which was amazing.
Bodegas & Viñedos Polo, Herencia La Palabra, Malbec, Argentina
This is a very good, excellent malbec from Mendoza in Argentina. A pretty bold, dry red which is smooth and has good integration of tannins that makes this a joy to drink. Long length of the flavours of red and black fruits, oak, chocolate, tobacco.
It’s a wine to be enjoyed with a steak or a burger. Drink and enjoy and you’ll feel those flavours come through.
San Pedro, Altair, 2017, Cachapoal, Chile
San Pedro know how to make wine and this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with a smaller proportion of Cabernet Franc and Syrah is quite amazing. There lots of black and red fruit, tobacco and coffee notes which have great length and smoothness on the taste buds. Its like an electric car, quiet, smooth and making you wonder why you have not got a cellar full of it. Then the price rears its head – at £40 a bottle that’s why you don’t have a cellar full of it. But a bottle or 2?
Trivento, Reserve Malbec, 2019, Mendoza, Argentina
Argentina does Malbec pretty well and this one from Trivento is a good example.
Yes its a cheap red wine that’s reasonable bold, pretty smooth and dry yet theres more to it. With aromas and flavours of red and black fruit, raspberry, cherry, plum, blackberry with hints of vanilla and chocolate and there’s good decent length to round it off.
This is a red wine for the masses and that’s not a bad thing. Excellent stuff.
TerraNoble, Lahuen, 2017, Chile
Chilean wine is great stuff in general, this red from Terranoble is excellent. This red has aromas of red fruit, oak and spice notes. the flavours are well integrated the smoothness is quite wonderful.
Of course there’s a but here and its with the price. £30 a bottle is way too much.Its very good but half it and its worth getting.
Maipo valley produces a lot of Chilean wine and most of it is actually really good, it’s consistent. I think this is a really good example Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon although not sure the Gran Reserva label adds to the taste.
It’s a dry red thats pretty bold with firm tannings. The aromas of red fruit, leather and a slight smokiness on the nose which is joined by plum and oak on the taste which has good length and under £10 a bottle this is really good value definitely ones are having especially with a lump of meat, game bird or tomato pasta dish.
Indomita, Gran Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017, Maipol, Chile
Luigi Bosca produce a range of reds and this Gala 2 is a Bordeaux blend. This is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Merlot (5%). It’s dry, smooth, really smooth with aromas of cherry and tobacco and flavours of plum, redcurrant, vanilla hints and a herby note in there. It’s elegant in many ways but it’s just do enjoyable.
At £24 a bottle it’s not cheap but it’s very good, excellent and worth the money. Something for a special occasion.
Luigi Bosca, Gala 2, Mendoza, Argentina