Aldi, Occasional, Malbec, 2023, Mendoza, Argentina
At £4 a bottle you have to be realistic on the wine in the bottle is going to be like. Unfortunately even at £4 a bottle it’s not one I can give too many compliments on. Dry with harsh tannins and vinegar notes it’s best to open and let it breath, give it 24 hours and it does soften a bit but pay a bit more, is my advice.
Red Schooner, Voyage 11, Mendoza, Argentina
Wow, this is an amazing wine made with grapes from Mendoza that are shipped to California to be made into a dry red wine. Bold, firm tannins with red currant, blackberry flavours, oak, leather and coffee notes make this a wonderful red wine. At USD40 a bottle it’s not cheap but its worth a taste.
Ensamblados, Blend de Terroirs, Malbec, 2020, Mendoza, Argentina
It’s another Argentinian Malbec, but this one is actually really rather excellent. There’s black plum and blackberry and smooth tannins. Hints of oak, leather and a bit of mint poking through for a long lasting taste. It reminds me of a VW Pola, solid with a chunk of quality all the way through. At about £15 a bottle it’s very good value.
Marcelo Pelleriti has produced a first class Malbec with this red wine from Mendoza. Its Dry, pretty bold with integrated tannins and a softness that’s welcome. There’s plenty of red and black fruit flavours with red cherry in the main followed by blackcurrant. Notes of oak, leather and spice sitting in the background with a hint of chocolate.
At £10 a bottle it’s great value and worth a few bottles in anyone’s Cellar.
Videla Aranda, Malbec, 2021, Mendoza, Argentina
Videla Aranda, Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina is a pretty good red wine. Its typical of the style snd quality of of a mass produced malbdc from Mendoza and that’s not a bad thing. Dry, smooth, reasonable tannins with decent length. There’s blackcurrant, redcurrant and notes of oak, and vanilla. It’s a wine to just drink and enjoy and not think to much about. At £7.50 on a mix 6 bottle offer at Majestic Wines It’s very good value and worth a few bottles in the wine store.
Mascota, Unanime, Merlot, 2018, Mendoza, Argentina
Argentinian makes a fantastic wine and this Merlot from Mascota is quite divine. Dry with plenty of red fruit with blueberry as well, chocolate and black pepper under pin the flavours. I wouldn’t say it was particularly complex but there’s definitely good structure here and a very long finish which makes this a superb wine for approximately £15 a bottle.
Tesco, Finest Malbec, 2021, Mendoza, Argentina
Tesco sell a lot of wine do some of it will be terrible and some of it will be great. This is the latter. Excellent black fruit flavours and aromas with good length and firm bit not overly harsh tannins. Pair with a stew or steak for a great combination. Oh with discounts it was under £5, every little helps 😉
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.
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.