Canale
Reserve Merlot 2004 Rio Negro Valley, Patagonia, Argentina
From the far south of Argentina, the back label suggests that
‘guests will be surprised by its provenance’. It has an interesting
nose, with deep dark plummy fruit combined with a minerally, spicy, tarry
edge. There’s also some chalky richness. The palate is dark, spicy and
savoury with some pleasing plummy bitterness and firm tannins under the
ripe, black fruits. Dark, complex, savoury and satisfying. It reminds me
of the southwest of France, a bit. Very good/excellent 92/100 (Marks &
Spencer £9.99) 09/06
Colome
2004 Valle Calchaqui, Salta, Argentina
This is a striking, modern styled wine that's quite forward and seductive,
while at the same time retaining balance. A deep colour, it has a
beguiling, sweet, pure nose of blackberry jam with some fresh raspberries
in the mix, accompanied by a hint of vanilla oak. The palate shows quite
elegant pure fruit, sweet yet not mushy and over-ripe. There's some spicy
tannin, and the only negative is the high alcohol (14.5%), which makes its
presence felt. Clearly new world in style, and fruit-driven, but pretty
classy in this seductive mould. Wines like this will have Chile worried, I
reckon. If you are in the mood for it, this is thoroughly delicious, but
traditionalists beware! Very good/excellent 91/100 (£12.99 Oddbins) 06/06
Etchart
Privado Torrontes 2005 Cayafete, Salta, Argentina
If
you’ve not tried a good Torrontes, you’ve been missing something, so
try this one. It has a beautifully perfumed, floral nose with grape and
lychee aromas. The palate has a fresh herbal edge: it smells sweet but
tastes dry, with good acid. Clean, fruity and dry. Very good 83/100 (£4.99
Waitrose) 02/06
Chacayes
2003 Mendoza, Argentina
J&F Lurton. From a vineyards at 1000 m, this is a superb red wine
in a modern mould. A vivid red/purple colour it has a tight nose of sweet,
refined fruit with a touch of oak and some chocolatey richness. The palate
is concentrated, spicy and tannic with primary red and black fruits. A
sophisticated wine: a little oaky at the moment, but there’s real
potential for development here with its firm structure and intense fruit.
Very good/excellent 93/100 (c. £30) 04/06
Clos
de Los Siete 2004 Mendoza, Argentina
Very dark
coloured. Lovely supple smooth dark fruits on the nose. The palate is
sweet and smooth; dark and supple. There’s a spicy, chocolatey richness.
This is a concentrated sweetly fruited modern with but it’s quite well
balanced at the same time. Delicious and easily appreciated. Very
good/excellent 91/100 (£10.99 Majestic, Oddbins) 10/05
Clos de los Siete 2003 Mendoza, Argentina
From seven vineyards in the foothills of the Andes, this is an
ambitious red wine; the project is managed by Michel Rolland. It’s a striking wine. Very
dark colour. Intoxicating sweet nose of liqueur-like blackcurrants and red
fruits. Very pure and sweet with a spicy edge: quite like a young vintage
port. The palate is sweet with a rounded, roasted character and a spicy
edge. It finishes dry with a spicy edge and some drying effect from the
alcohol. This is a delicious forward wine for current consumption, but the
combination of a firm, spicy, rather drying tannic structure and some
alcoholic heat on the finish suggests this is not one for cellaring. This
aside, there's no denying that this is a very seductive wine with
wonderful purity of the fruit. Very good/excellent 91/100 (£10.99
Majestic, £8.99 if you buy two) 05/05
Finca
Flichman Tanguero Reserve Malbec 2004 Mendoza, Argentina
This bold red wine is spicy and dark with soft, rich fruits and a
tarry, grippy finish. Quite a rich style but nicely savoury: this will
work well with food. Very good+ 86/100 (£5.99 Unwins, 2 for £10 until 10
October) 08/05
Clos
de Los Siete 2003 Mendoza, Argentina
Grapes
come from 350 hectares at 1100 m altitude. A blend of Malbec, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Very deep colour. Sweet forward black fruits
nose of lovely vivid fruit. It’s soft, supple and gloriously fruited on
the palate. Very intense and quite brilliant. Very good/excellent 93/100 (£9.99
Waitrose) 04/05
Catena
Alta Malbec 2001 Mendoza, Argentina
Dark
with quite a spicy nose. Good concentration of dark, savoury spicy fruit
here. Very good+ 89/100 (£25 Waitrose) 04/05
Achaval Ferrer Quimera 2001 Mendoza, Argentina
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot. Interestingly, the
blend occurs before racking into barrels, of which 40% are new (10%
American oak and 90% French oak). The wine shows a sensational rounded,
sweet perfumed nose, with creamy blackcurrant fruit. The palate displays
more of this sweet, rounded fruit which hides a smooth tannic core.
There’s a subtle herby complexity and some minerality is apparent on the
finish. Very good/excellent 92/100 (£20.56 Corney & Barrow) 02/04
Hacienda
San Jose Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Mendoza, Argentina
Quite a rich herby nose with some grassiness, melon and papaya notes.
The palate is savoury and quite rich with some herby fruit. Nice for the
price. (Aldi) 09/04
Picajuan Peak Bonarda 2002 Mendoza,
Argentina
Rich pure berry fruit with an attractive spicy edge and nice juicy
acidity. Tasty stuff- this is a great pizza wine. Very good 84/100 (£3.99
Tesco) 01/04
Picajuan Peak Bonarda 2002 Mendoza,
Argentina
This red is sealed with a screwcap, which will no doubt help preserve its
pure, juicy berry fruit. It's not a wine to take too seriously, but it
does deliver a good dollop of bright, tasty fruit with an appealing
spiciness and nice acidity. A good pizza wine. Very good 84/100 (£3.99
Tesco) 12/03
Norton Torrontes 2002 Mendoza, Argentina
Striking floral nose is delicate and aromatic. The palate is dry,
crisp and slightly herby. A pleasant, interesting white in a light summer
style. Very good+ 86 (£5.99 Oddbins) 04/03
Valentin Bianchi Los Primos Barbera 2000 San Rafael,
Mendoza, Argentina
Lovely vivid juicy cherry fruit dominates here, with a nice spicy
edge. Very juicy and easy to drink but still with good concentration.
Brilliant value and a perfect Pizza wine. Very good+ 87 (£4.99 Oddbins)
04/03
Norton Malbec 2000, Mendoza, Argentina
This rather simple glugger shows attractive soft berry fruit with a
chocolatey richness and a hint of sweetness. Very soft and approachable.
Good/very good 08/02
Alamos Chardonnay 1999 Mendoza, Argentina
Attractive, forward oaky nose with creamy vanilla notes. Rich, oaky
and buttery. It’s quite attractive and well made but relies on oak for
its character quite a bit. Good commercial Chardonnay. Very good
(Majestic) 10/02
Weinert Carrascal 1997, Mendoza, Argentina
This is Argentina's answer to Château Musar: traditionally made with
an unusual, old-fashioned character that toys with the border of
faultiness. And in an age when all wines appear to be beginning to taste
the same, it's a very welcome change. A blend of Malbec, Cabernet
Sauvignon and Merlot, it has a rich, savoury, slightly leathery nose. It's
not overtly fruity, and there's a little bit of volatile acidity. The
medium-bodied palate shows some herby, spicy character, and there's a
touch of sweetness to the fruit. Some meatiness emerges after a while and
there's spicy complexity. Old fashioned in a nice way. Very good/excellent
(£7.99 Majestic, Connollys) 02/02
Valentin
Bianchi Elsa Barbera 2000, Mendoza, Argentina
This vibrant, juicy red is a wonderful find. Really lovely forward
liquoricey berry fruit on the nose. The palate has lots of bright savoury-edged
berry fruit with good acidity. Completely more-ish, this is brilliant for
the price. Very good/excellent (£5.45 Berry Bros & Rudd) 05/02
La
Nature Torrontes 2001, Famatina Valley, Argentina
From northwest Argentina, this organic wine is a delicious example of the
indigenous Torrontes. Pretty, aromatic nose with floral, spicy, perfumed
rose-petal notes. Nicely balanced fruity palate with a grapey character and
good acidity. This is a superb summer sipper with a well poised, delicate
texture. Very good+ (£4.29 Sainsbury, Vinceremos) 10/01
Weinert
Carrascal 1997, Mendoza, Argentina
This is Argentina's answer to Château Musar: traditionally made with an
unusual, old-fashioned character that toys with the border of faultiness.
And in an age when all wines appear to be beginning to taste the same, it's
a very welcome change. A blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and
Merlot, it has a rich, savoury, slightly leathery nose. It's not overtly
fruity, and there's a little bit of volatile acidity. The medium-bodied
palate shows some herby, spicy character, and there's a touch of sweetness
to the fruit. Some meatiness emerges after a while and there's spicy
complexity. Old fashioned in a nice way. Very good/excellent (£7.99
Majestic, Connollys) 02/02
Cavas
de Weinert Gran Vino 1996, Mendoza, Argentina
There’s a herby, spicy, mushroomy edge to the nose, showing some
evolution and coming across as a tiny bit rustic. Good concentration of
spicy, warm fruit on the palate. Nicely balanced, but very old fashioned
style. Savoury, earthy and spicy. Fairly complex. Very good+ (£9.99
Majestic) 02/02
Ché
Syrah 2001, La Rioja, Argentina
There’s a touch of bubblegum to the bright, almost sweet fruit berry
fruit on the nose. The palate is very fruity with good acid balance. Quite
juicy, this is Argentina’s answer to Beajoulais. Perhaps a bit synthetic
and industrial. Good/very good (£3.99 Oddbins) 02/02
Carmelo
Patti Cabernet Sauvignon 1997, Mendoza, Argentina
Really attractive nose of leafy blackcurrant fruit, with a slight
herbaceousness (not unattractive, though) and a touch of minerality. The
palaye is savoury with some tannins, and is not at all new-worldy: in fact,
it’s quite Loire-like. Medium bodied with mineral-laced blackcurrant and
raspberry fruit. Delicious stuff. Very good/excellent (£7.99 Oddbins) 02/02
Santa
Julia Tempranillo 2000, Mendoza
Roast coffee edge to the nose, with bright, primary cherry fruit.
Savoury, spicy edge to the palate which shows pure cherry and raspberry
fruit. Very modern and fruity with good concentration and a chocolatey
richness. Attractive commercial winemaking. Very good (£4.99 Tesco) 02/02
Santa
Julia Bonarda Sangiovese Reserva 1999, Mendoza, Argentina
Pretty nose dominated by minty spicy vanilla-edged new oak. Good
concentration on the palate which shows cherry and berry fruit, and rather
overwhelming savoury, spicy new oak, and woody tannins. A crowd pleaser, but
perhaps too manufactured with a bit too much oak influence. But it’s a
nicely savoury food wine. Good/very good (£5.99 Tesco) 02/02
Vina
Amalia Chardonnay 1999, Mendoza
Barrel-fermented for 4 months in new French oak, this is a pale yellow
colour. Slightly shy, sulfury nose with grapefuit and pineapple notes. The
palate is richly textured with some nuttiness from the oak, but it’s a bit
alcoholic and unbalanced. Lacking in flavour where it counts. Good (£4.99
Oddbins) 03/02
Vina
Amalia Malbec 1999, Mendoza
Aged for 8 months in French and American oak; unfiltered. Slightly
sulfury, minerally nose. Reasonably concentrated ripe fruit on the palate
with good acidity and a spicy finish, but a bit rough-edged. I’m not too
keen on this. Good (£4.99 Oddbins) 03/02
Catena Chardonnay Agrelo Vineyard 2000, Mendoza, Argentina
The nose is a bit shy initially, but when coaxed shows a rich, lifted,
nutty character. The palate is quite nutty, alcoholic and a bit
disappointing, with the oak sticking out. Good concentration, though.
Very good (£8.50) 09/01
Bright Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 'Barrica Reserve' 1999, San
Juan, Argentina
The nose shows sweet fruit and vanilla, with notes of coffee and spice. The
palate is ripe and very accessible, with blackcurrant fruit and plenty of
seductive oak. Tasty and with good concentration, there's just enough
acidity and spicy tannins to give balance. My only criticism is that it is a
little bit anonymous and relies heavily on the oak for its character. Very
good+ (£6.49 Sainsbury) 09/01
Valentin Bianchi Malbec 'Elsa's Vineyard' 1998, Mendoza
I'm a bit confused. This Malbec from Valentin Bianchi is labelled very
differently to the Valentin Bianchi wines carried by Oddbins (both cheaper
and more expensive examples are part of the range). Oddbins also used to
stock this very same wine, although in slightly grander packaging and at a
higher price. Can anyone enlighten me? Anyway, this is a single vineyard
wine made from 85% Malbec and 15% Barbera. It's a lovely savoury red wine
with a nice herby nose, showing some leafy notes in the background. There
are also notes of spice, tar and chocolate. The palate is rich, soft and
ripe with a spicy edge. Quite delicious: a full on wine, but not a
manufactured, new-world style. Very good/excellent (£6.70 The Good Wine
Shop) 06/01
Norton Privada 1998, Mendoza, Argentina
The Norton range is one of Argentina's most reliable, and this, their
top wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that's decent
enough without actually being exciting. Muted nose, with ripe berry fruit on
the palate. Quite restrained with good tannins. Nice balance. Very good.
(£8.99 Oddbins)
Norton Privada 1995, Mendoza, Argentina
A premium blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, aged in French oak, from the
export-oriented Norton winery. This has been cellared for some three years or so since I
bought it: a nice experiment to see how new-wave Argentinean reds age. This has a sweet,
powerful cedary nose; on the palate it is soft and full. The fruit is drying out a little
and there's high acidity, but it is still very much alive. Although this is a classic
Bordeaux-style blend, it is quite Italian-like in style -- it's also a bit reminiscent of
an aged Aussie. Very good (Current release is £8.99, Oddbins) 11/00
Bodega Lurton Pinot Gris 2000, Mendoza, Argentina
Light, dry white wine with fresh character and attractive floral lift to the nose. There's
some melon fruit and a touch of spiciness on the palate, but overall this is a bit neutral
for my tastes. Will do a job as an all purpose white table wine. Good+ (£3.99 Waitrose)
11/00
Viña el Paraiso Chardonnay 1999, Mendoza, Argentina
Clean, modern-styled Chardonnay with good depth. Balanced, lean palate, and not too
'synthetic'. Very good. (Adnams £5.45) 11/00
Viña el Paraiso Syrah 1999, Mendoza, Argentina
Bright purple colour this displays lively primary fruit characteristics. It's a rather
dull commercial red wine though. (Adnams £5.45) 11/00
Catena Chardonnay 1999 Agrelo Vineyard, Mendoza, Argentina
A remarkable, full-flavoured Chardonnay that is sophisticated yet still very oaky. Lovely
full, rounded toasty nose. Rich, ripe and complex palate with prominent (but classy)
toasty oak. I really like this wine, which shows impressive concentration, but avoid if
you are averse to oak. Very good + (£8.99 Majestic) 9/00
Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 Agrelo Vineyard, Mendoza
This is a dense, classy Cabernet from Catena, possibly Argentina's leading 'modern'
winery. Lusciously textured blackcurrant fruit is underlain by an attractive mineral
streak. Approachable now, there is the tannic structure to reward a few years' cellaring.
Very good+ (£8.99 Majestic) 9/00
Santa Julia Viognier 2000, Mendoza, Argentina
Viognier is one of the most trendy white varieties, but I've rarely been convinced by
cheap examples -- this is an exception. Authentic varietal Viognier with an attractive
nose of flowers, spice and peaches. Good concentration on the palate with crisp, clean,
spicy flavours and good acidity. Very good. (£4.99 Sainsburys) 9/00
Argento Malbec 1999 Mendoza, Argentina
A wine that has had the press swooning this summer, it really left me cold -- I
ended up pouring the remains down the sink after two nights. From Argentina's leading
light, Catena, this is not as good as the offerings from Bianchi and Norton in this price
bracket. A muted nose leads to soft, vanilla-edged fruit: a bit sweet and synthetic,
lacking real guts. OK (£4.99 widely available) 9/00
Etchart 'Rio de Plata' Torrontes 1998, Salta, Argentina
A hugely enjoyable wine that represents great value for money, from Argentina's
'own' white grape variety, Torrontes. Beautiful open nose of sweet floral notes is
followed up on the palate by grapefruit and spice. Bone dry: a bit like a cross between a
Gewürztraminer and a Sauvignon blanc. Very good + (£3.99, Asda) 7/00
Tesco Torrontés NV, Famatina Region, Rioja, Argentina
Produced by the firm of La Riojana. Grapey, musky nose. Thick and bitter on the palate.
Lacks the floral elegance this grape is capable of: overly alcoholic at 13.5%. (£3.49,
Tesco) 7/00
