Mendoza

• Valle de Uco

A lovely blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, and 15% Cabernet Franc, the grapes were grown in selected old vineyards from the Uco Valley. The 2017 offers black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry notes, with back notes of pomegranate, tea leaf and rhubarb. The expressive fruit is mitigated by mellow acidity and tannic structure. Aged in French oak for 20 months, this wine is a reminder of the value and quality that Argentina as a whole delivers. ORIGIN: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. ALCOHOL: 14%

It’s safe to say Argentina’s signature red grape is Malbec. In the right hands Malbec can be a commanding wines, such as Trapiche’s offering of the 2018. This is a velvety smooth wine showcasing black cherry, huckleberry, boysenberry, red currant, and tannins that are mild, but noticeable. The judicious use of oak enhances the fruit, there are back notes of cedar, cocoa powder, and plum. This offers wonderful drinkability with slightly nuanced fruit, veering away from heavier, tannic and fruit forward wines.

This is a sparkling Brut from Argentina.  Pale golden in color with a steady stream of small bubbles.  The nose is more about minerals but there is a bit of lemons.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, again, a nice minerality but lots of lemons and slight pear notes.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and would work with a wide variety of foods.  Pair with a bowl of buttered popcorn and it makes a great movie night.  Drink over the next couple of years.  Great value!

I will admit that upon seeing the front label "Organic Kosher" (for Passover) from Argentina, I was a bit skeptical.  However, realizing it was made by Domaine Bousquet, my hopes were higher and sure enough, this is a very nice wine.  L'Chayim (to life)!  which is also what A La Vida means in Spanish.  Purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is light but nice with plums, cherries and slight pepper.  With air it become more pronounced.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, plums and some anise and ash on the finish.  A hint of sweetness.  Easily the best organic, koshe

An amazing value in sparkling wine!  This is a blend of 75% Pinot Noir and25% Chardonnay certified organic grapes from Argentina.  The Charmat method allows for the fermentation in stainless steel tanks to capture the carbonation.  Salmon pin/orange in color, clear and bright.  Lots of smaller bubbles.  The nose is very nice with strawberries, yeast (at the proofing stage), and minerals.  On the palate, this is crisp with light tannins.  Notes of fuji apples, strawberries and minerality.  Nice acidity.

This is another quality value from this Argentinian producer.  Made from a blend of organic grapes, it is 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir.  The Charmat method is utilized meaning that the bubbles are trapped in stainless steel tanks versus in the bottle.  While that does not have the tradition or "romance" of the Methode Champenois, to does allow for high quality wines at much more reasonable pricing.  And, this bottle is proof.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The wine is frothy on opening with lots of small bubbles.  On the nose, there are lemons, lemon peel, and minerals.  Good aci

This is an excellent value in a pretty straightforward Malbec from Argentina.  Purple in color, opaque  and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight cedar, plums and a hint of char.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this has ripe red and purple fruits; black raspberries, plums and black cherries, with just a bit of char underneath.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and while not complex, the type of wine that most would enjoy a glass or two of.  It drinks very well on its own and will work well with a (garden) burger.  Drink over the next five to seven ye

This is 100% Cabernet Franc using organic grapes.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has plums and black raspberries with some char.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Black raspberry fruit with slight black cherry fruit.  Plenty of depth.  Long finish.  This is really delicious.  Drinking well now, it should continue to drink well for the next ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, this would work well with a wide range of foods from pizza to pork to beef tenderloin.  Nice value.  

Made from Organic grapes. This is 85% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah, and 5% Merlot.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, plums, baking spices and slight char.  Tannic.  Tart acidity.  On the palate, plums and black raspberries with some spice.  This needs a couple of years to integrate and then should drink well for eight to ten.  If opening now, give it a few hours of air.  This drinks well on its own but will go well with grilled meats.  

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis and a slight herbal note.  Medium tannins.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, cassis with a bit of char and the slight herbal note to make it interesting.  This is easy drinking on its own and will work well with ribs or burgers off the grill.  A nice value.