Argentine Red Wines

We have thousands of wines. Although we carry many national brands, that is not our focus. The following are well made and generally more interesting wines that we are proud to recommend.

Elsa Bianchi Malbec, Mendoza-Argentina, 2024 ($11.99) - Customers loved this wine, but it disappeared from the market. Now it’s back and as delicious as ever! Bodegas Bianchi was founded in 1928 with vineyards in both Uco Valley and San Rafael. This wine comes from a vineyard in San Rafael at an elevation of 2500 feet. After a cold maceration for 2-3 days, fermentation begins with pump-overs for flavor and color extraction. A further 7 to 10-day maceration is then followed by pressing and tank aging before bottling.

Finca Abril Malbec “Rhapsodia,” Valle de Uco-Mendoza, 2018 ($15.99) - Finca Abril makes this Argentine Malbec from the La Consulta district of the Uco Valley. It’s more interesting than the $10-12 stuff but still priced for everyday drinking. Not an overly extracted Malbec, but it has a good amount of fruit and, most importantly, freshness that keeps it lively. The vines were planted in 1997  at an altitude of 3400 feet. Harvesting is done by hand. The grapes were given a cold maceration to enhance fruit and color concentration. After fermentation, the wine was given about 15 more days of maceration, then aged 50% in French oak barrels and 50% in tank. Cheap Malbecs never come near a splinter of wood! 

Ombu Malbec, Mendoza-Argentina, 2021 ($17.99) – A step above $12-$15 Malbecs, this comes from Bodega Roca. The Roca family's Italian and Spanish ancestors settled in Mendoza in 1912. The property with 282 acres of vines sits at 2300 feet above sea level in the San Rafael Valley, divided into three vineyards: Finca La Perseverancia, Finca Los Amigos, & Finca Santa Herminia. Alfredo Roca studied enology and began modernizing the operation in 1976. His children, the 4th generation, now run things. Vines are irrigated with meltwater from the Diamante River. Little rain, intense sun, and cool nights are characteristics of the climate, allowing a slow ripening of the grapes. The Ombu tree, a cultural symbol of the Argentine gaucho, is recognizable from afar and provides comfort and shelter from sun and rain. Balanced alcohol at 13.6%. 

El Esteco Cabernet Sauvignon, Salta-Argentina, 2019 ($19.99) – Although Mendoza is the dominant source of Argentine wines, Salta to the north is growing fast in acreage and reputation. Wine Advocate: 90 “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon shows how intense the variety can be in the high-altitude vineyards of Salta. It has an explosive nose - intensely herbal and spicy - and a round and lush palate with very fine tannins and a balsamic finish. 25,000 bottles produced. Drink 2021-23”

Pascual Toso Malbec Reserva, Maipú-Mendoza-Argentina, 2022 ($21.99) - Founded in 1890, Pascual Toso is one of Argentina’s oldest wineries. Its Las Barrancas vineyard is located at 2500 feet above sea level and spreads over 1000 acres of stony soil. The consulting winemaker is none other than Paul Hobbes! Showing more refinement, excellent balance, and a touch of oak, this is a big step up from the Elsa Bianchi. After a two-day cold maceration, it undergoes fermentation and further maceration for 15-20 days. Following malolactic fermentation, it is aged in new oak barrels, 20% French and 80% American, for 12 months. It is quite expressive with black pepper and violets behind juicy plum and blackberry notes.

Clos de Los Siete, Uco Valley-Mendoza-Argentina, 2018 ($21.99) - CdLS is an Argentine venture consisting of four bodegas with 2100 acres of vines owned by four Bordeaux families. Only one wine is made, by famed consultant Michel Rolland, the originator of the project. Wine Advocate (Luis Gutiér-rez): 91+ “I think the 2018 Clos de Los Siete is the finest vintage of this blend that I've tasted so far. In this cooler year, it’s a blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It has good ripeness (14.5%), is juicy but fresh and balanced, tasty, with full flavors and fine tannins. Seventy percent of the wine matured in 225-liter French barriques for 11 months. Instant gratification at a great price. Drink 2021-2024.” Some technicals: 3600’ elevation; sand and clay soil with large pebbles; gravel one meter down for good drainage; 5500 vines/hectare (relatively dense); drip irrigation; manual harvesting; manually sorted twice; gravity-fed winery (no pumping); 1/3 new barrique; no fining or filtering. 

Bodega Vistalba Corte B, Mendoza-Argentina, 2019 ($21.99) - Located in Lujan de Cuyo, Vistalba makes three wines under the Corte line, labeling them C (the least expensive), B, and A. We tasted all three and found the B to be the Goldilocks wine, much better than the C and almost as good as the much more expensive A. The Corte B is a round, lush, and velvety blend that varies slightly from year to year but is predominantly Malbec with 15-30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and about 5% Bonarda. The Cab and Bonarda give it more complexity. It delivers blackberry and peppercorn aromas and is very nicely balanced with clear oak aging. It is quite flavorful but not super intense. Yet it has a good depth of plum sauce and black-fruit flavors that blend well with notes of tobacco and herb alongside refreshing acidity. It’s an excellent value. 

Noemia Malbec A Lisa, 2022 ($25.99) - Noemia is located in Patagonia. It's wines are terrific, and we carry some of their more expensive bottlings. This is their entry-level wine, but there's nothing entry-level about it. Ripe, rich, and full-flavored, it is softly voluptuous, a joy to drink. Previous vintages received 93-point ratings in the Wine Advocate; this vintage hasn't yet been reviewed.

Los Haroldos Hermandad Petit Verdot, Mendoza-Argentina, 2018 ($25.99) - Petit Verdot (“peh-tee vur-doe”) is almost exclusively a blending grape, It originated in the Bordeaux region of France and is one of the five varietals commonly used to make red Bordeaux wines. Because it makes such a bold statement with plentiful color, tannin, and floral aromas, it rarely approaches 10% of the blend there. When used, it adds unique and intriguing aromas and flavors such as plum, blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, violet, lilac, lavender, sage, and dried herbs. Australia, Chile, Argentina, Spain, California, and Washington State have experimented with single-varietal wines made of Petit Verdot. The Los Haroldos version is delicious with loads of flavor that are reminiscent of a youthful, high-quality, ripe Bordeaux.

Alta Vista Malbec Temis, Uco-Valley, Mendoza, 2019 ($59.99) - We’ve carried Alta Vista’s inexpensive Vive Malbec for years and were curious about their high-end wines. This blew us away. Simply delicious! It has not yet been reviewed, but the 2019 vintage is considered to be even better than the excellent 2018 in Mendoza. Here’s the review on the 2018: Wine Advocate 95+ “Usually my favorite from the single-vineyard bottlings, sourced from a vineyard planted in 1938 in El Cepillo at 1,040 meters in altitude on limestone-rich soils. Matured in French oak barrels—now 225- and 600-liter ones—two-thirds new, for 12 months. It’s ripe without excess at 14.5% alcohol and feels quite classical; it’s serious and still young with aromatics of the Mediterranean plants—thyme, rosemary, lavender, and rockrose—and integrated oak. It has concentration and power but also refinement and subtlety. 320 cases made. Drink 2022-2028.”