Malbec and more from Argentina
Pinot Gris 2016, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Bodega François Lurton, Argentina white, $15.05, SAQ # 556746: Organic. Nicely balanced pinot grigio that checks all the boxes. Has the acidity and ripe fruit, a texture that is from the wine and not sugar, and an interesting finish that shows a touch of bitterness. Grape variety: pinot gris. Residual sugar: 3.5 g/L. Serve at: 8-10 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: apéritif, spicy shrimp and seafood. Malbec 2015, Pure, Trapiche, Argentina red, $17.10, SAQ # 12823397: No oak for a change, which offers up a more pristine view of what Uco Valley fruit offers. Very juicy, but far from jammy. Shows violet and subtle meat characteristics alongside the darker notes of cassis and black cherry. Grape variety: malbec. Residual sugar: 1.9 g/L. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2018. Food pairing idea: cassoulet. Red Blend 2015, Crios, Mendoza, Susana Balbo, Argentina red, $18.50, SAQ # 10401705: Light, fresh and juicy. Bright red fruits, nicely textured, with just a little tannic bite on the finish. This works really well and is so fresh. Grape variety: malbec, cabernet sauvignon, merlot. Residual sugar: 2 g/L. Serve at: 16 C. Drink now-2018. Food pairing idea: apéritif, white meats. Viognier 2015, Mendoza, Bodega Lagarde, Argentina white, $20, SAQ # 12882688: Excellent viognier. Shows the hallmarks of a riper style with its pineapple and melon notes, but the finish is dry, spicy and mouth-filling. Has that lowlevel hum I love in great viognier. Rare to find such a great example of the grape at such a reasonable price. Grape variety: viognier. Residual sugar: 1.6 g/L. Serve at: 10-12 C. Drink now. Food pairing idea: scallops, fish in cream sauce. Malbec 2014, Mendoza, Catena, Argentina red, $21.05, SAQ # 478727: Might surprise with its freshness. This is still malbec and comes at you with a lot of weight, flesh and abundance of flavour. The dark fruits share the stage with black olive and licorice. Tannins are there, just enough to structure the wine. Grape variety: malbec. Residual sugar: 4 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2019. Food pairing idea: beef stews, wild meats like deer. Malbec 2014, ‘Q’, Zuccardi, Uco Valley, Argentina red, $22, SAQ # 11218460: Really interesting malbec. Bright fruit; nice tannins that show a touch of rusticity. Nice and fresh. Easy drinking with enough torque to satisfy the “big wine” lover. Grape variety: malbec. Residual sugar: 1.9 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2020. Food pairing idea: spicy sausages. Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Mendoza, Achaval Ferrer, Argentina red, $29.95, SAQ # 11982193: This is a big wine — perhaps a touch young for the moment, as the oak and fruit stand out like twin pillars. But the fruit is exceptionally juicy and the aromatics are pretty wild. Not jammy, just really good concentration. Grape variety: cabernet sauvignon. Residual sugar: 2.5 g/L. Serve at: 18 C. Drink now-2020. Food pairing idea: magret de canard, leg of lamb.