Argentinian Lineup 10.0
- Mixed
- Mendoza
No matter how popular the song is from the musical, ‘Evita’, there are wine lovers all over the world who ARE crying for Argentina. Here’s a pack to fix your Argentina itch. And while it’s packed with plenty of majestic malbec, there’s some other great reds to have with your next Argentinean style rib-eye. There’s some incredible work being done with cab franc and syrah in the shadow of the Andes.
You get ONE of each of the following bottles:
Red
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- Malbec
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- Mendoza
- Malbec
- Mendoza
It's hard to reach hyperbole when describing the wines of El Enemigo. The project is headed by Alejandro Vigil, chief winemaker for Catena Zapata, and Adrianna Catena, an accomplished historian and the daughter of the famous Nicolás Catena. Their wines tell a story, this one of the primary grape of Mendoza with a reference and expression to the harsh conditions encountered in making wine in the foothills of the Andes. It has all the bright fruit and spice expected of malbec, but there's a touch of cab franc in there to provide structure and herbaceousness, both nods to the slow and steady ripening that occurs in the deep rocky soils at such high altitudes.
Red
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- Shiraz Blend
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- Mendoza
- Shiraz Blend
- Mendoza
El Enemigo is easily one of the most exciting producers from Mendoza. They are best known for cabernet franc, but they do some amazing things with malbec (of course), chardonnay and syrah amongst others. This syrah has a touch of viognier, much like how they do it in the Northern Rhône. The wine has structure and power with aromas of black fruits, tobacco and spice. On the palate it's quite concentrated but not overbearing at all.
Red
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- Other Red
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- Mendoza
- Other Red
- Mendoza
Unlike most of the top producers in Mendoza, El Enemigo focuses on cabernet franc for their reserve wines. There's always a bit of malbec in the blend, but the vast majority is cab franc, 92% in the case of this wine which is from their estate range. Rather than relying on the power of malbec, El Enemigo focuses on the layering of complex flavours in a more structured and medium-bodied style of wine. There's plenty of dark fruit there, but it's the herbs, spices, earthiness and savouriness that really shine through in a in a style of Mendoza wine that may surprise and will certainly delight.
Red
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- Malbec
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- Mendoza
- Malbec
- Mendoza
Mendoza’s master of malbec, Hevré J Fabre, returns with none other than his flagship wine. Aged in 100% new French oak, this is not for the faint-hearted - not quite a tooth-tinting tannin titan but not meek, either. Tannins are full and drying, sure, but also soft and smooth, tamed by a dark-fruited core of berries, cocoa and balancing acidity. This is overlaid with pretty florals and herbaceousness that only seem to add to its overall density and power. It certainly does remind you that Fabre’s roots are from Bordeaux - a nod to the malbec-based black wines of Cahors. Savoury through and through but rounded out by distinctively punchy high altitude Mendoza fruit. Approachable, but much to think about, too. Over a fat steak, of course.
Red
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- Malbec
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- Mendoza
- Malbec
- Mendoza
I was lucky enough to walk these vineyards and spent some time with the family behind Viñalba. The old gnarled vines growing well at impossibly high altitudes require extremely dedicated attention. And the old world influence of the French-born winemaker leads to wines of not only the trademark Mendoza power, but also a nuance and elegance that lift them to the next level. Everything is done by hand from the vineyard to the winery and the resulting malbec is left to rest in fine French oak for twelve months. There’s a distinct pleasure in drinking this wine and understanding the cultural connection between the modern malbec of Mendoza and it’s origins in France. What a journey!
Red
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- Malbec
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- Mendoza
- Malbec
- Mendoza
To date, we have not met a single mofo that dislikes malbec. Maybe they’re out there, but in terms of a wine to bring along to dinner, it’s about as safe a bet as there is. It also makes food pairing a breeze. If beef is involved, drink this. Whether it’s a big, juicy rib-eye or a slow-braised winter warmer of a stew, make this your go to. Take a holiday from Barossa shiraz, and hop across the pond to Mendoza. It’s plenty full-bodied, with ripe, chewy fruit and a generous lick of oak – not so far from home after all!