Argentina

Catena Zapata, Adrianna Vineyard White Stones Chardonnay 2015

Tupungato, Uco valley, Mendoza

White Stones comes from selected vines on a 2.5 ha parcel and refers to the soil made of pale rounded stones. It’s an extreme altitude location of 1500 meters. Freshness, minerality and delicate spiced herbs tinge strikes first. It’s definitely layered with aromas of cooked orchard fruits, lemon confit, melon, almonds and fresh mangoes. Very precise and textured.

Score : 17/20 (94/100)

Catena Zapata, Adriana vineyard White Bones Chardonnay 2015

Tupungato, Uco valley, Mendoza

Slightly smaller than Whites stones, White bones is only 2.2 ha. Again, the name refers to the soil filled with unique crumbly calcareous deposit and fossils. The vineyard is situated in a passage where used to be a river that is now dried up. Adrianna is showing a completely unique aromatic character. A powerful and dominant aroma of Sage and confit ginger joined by layered stone fruits, saline components and nectarine. It’s full-bodied, with a bright acidity, crystal-clear purity & precision and a very smooth finish.

Score : 17.5/20 (95/100)

Catena Zapata, Adrianna Vineyard Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2014

Tupungato, Uco valley, Mendoza

Fortuna Terrae Malbec is unique in itself for its soft tannins, delicate first impression with its power in concentration and not in its structure. It showcased a strong floral & mushroom component with lingering plum, currant, light oak and spices. The palate reveals a silky texture with very fine tannins unlike usual Malbec. The refinement of Fortuna Terrae makes it nuanced and unique.

Score : 17.5/20 (95/100)

Bodega Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena Zapata 2014 Mendoza

This is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec blend from three different plots: La Pirámide Vineyard in Luján de Cuyo for the Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Nicasia Vineyard & Adrianna Vineyard in Uco Valley for the Malbec. Nicolás Catena Zapata 2014 has an intense, inky, deep purple color with intense flavor concentration, but also a lot of finesse. Aromas are an amalgam of everything black, blackberries, black cherries, black plums, bitter black chocolate, black pepper, black olives and a textured earthiness. The tannins are fine-grained, integrated and overpowered by the great minerality. It’s an intense but also polished wine.

Score : 17/20 (94/100)

Zuccardi Poligonos Altamira Malbec 2015 Uco valley, Mendoza

Malbec in its purest form, luscious fruit-driven and richly concentrated with purple floral accent. It’s detailed, with sharp tannins and a distinguished oak character. This vineyard is situated at about 1,100 meters’ altitude, which gives it a nice tension and vibrant acidity to withstand the density and saturation of flavors.

Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Emma Zuccardi BonardaValle de Uco 2016 Uco valley, Mendoza

Emma Zuccardi was the current owner, Sebastian’s grandmother and a charming and sophisticated woman. This wine is a tribute to her personality. The aromas are perfumed with tart & raw red berries, violets, herbs and a refreshing linear acidity. It’s a wine full of energy, with a medium-body and lightness to it.

Score : 14+/20 (87/100)

Achaval Ferrer Finca Bella Vista 2014 Mendoza

Far from the usual fruit-driven Malbec, Finca Bella Vista has an unusual, complex earthiness to it. Its aromas boast of cured meats, crushed leaves, lichen, clove and charred wood. It’s a firm wine with strong tannins presence and a powerful structure.

Score : 16/20 (92/100) Achaval Ferrer Finca Mirador 2014 Mendoza

Big and bold aromas of spices, chili, blackberry, bitter chocolate and espresso, but also a savory layer of graphite, mushroom and leather. The palate is chewy, juicy and straightforward. This wine comes from the warmest of their vineyards and it gives a powerful, heavy wine with a toasty finish.

Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

Bodega Colomé Malbec Autentico 2017 Salta

Bodega Colomé is one of the oldest working wineries in Argentina, and home to the highest vineyards in the word. The vineyards for the 2017 Auténtico Malbec are over 100 years old and 7,500 feet above sea level. Intense, inky purple in color, this Malbec has deep aromas of mulberry, blackberry, herbs, figs, spices and rubber. The palate is held by a crisp acidity, but also great concentration and chiseled structure.

Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)

Bodega Chacra, Barda Pinot Noir 2018 Patagonia

Bold in color and fleshy in taste, this Pinot Noir shows bright aromas of cherry, plum, brambleberry, blueberry and also some cedar and meaty components. Its crunchy and energetic palate has concentrated flavors and good intensity, but a light-weight volume.

Score : 14.5+/20 (88/100)

Terrazas de los Andes, Las Compuertas 2013 Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza

Silky, fruity styled Malbec with precise oak and tannin presence. The nose opens up on stewed wild berries with charred wood, mint and chocolate. The palate is massive and substantial. The volume itself is hard to take on and leaves an intense finish.

Score : 14.5+/20 (88/100)

Clos de los Siete by Michel Rolland 2016 Mendoza

2016 was an atypical vintage with lower temperatures than usual. The result was this red Malbec dominated blend with an impressively fresh aromatic profile, yet also a full-bodied, structured palate. Chewy, jammy fruits are on the forefront with hints of spices, dried herbs and crushed stones.

Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)

Terrazas de los Andes, Cheval des Andes 2013 Mendoza

Property owned by Pierre Lurton. This wine is full-bodied with covering, dense tannins, and a completely intense palate. Aromas are as deep and inky as the color, with graphite, leather, beef jerky, black chocolate and jammy blackberries. It’s ripe and flavorful with a slight bitterness to the finish.

Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

Trapiche, Iscay, Malbec- Cabernet Franc 2013 Mendoza

Made from Trapiche’s vineyards situated in Russell, Maipú and Los Arboles, this wine has a deep violaceous color, with an aromatic, perfumed nose. Aromas include violets & lilac as well as spices, balsamic notes and luscious red fruits. The palate is powerful, yet, balanced by a nice acidity. It’s full-bodied and broad, yet it doesn’t feel heavy.

Score : 15.5+/20 (91/100)

Viña Cobos, Bramare Malbec, Touza Vineyard 2016

Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza

This single vineyard Malbec is from the Touza vineyard, which is at 3,444 feet above sea level. It’s a bold, dark and concentrated wine, with wild aromas of thyme and black pepper, bright blackberry, cassis and dark chocolate. The Palate is powerful, energetic and concentrated with a rich, mocha and oak flavored finish.

Score : 16/20 (92/100)