Mendoza
With its western borderline dominated by the Andes and its 146,000 hectares of vineyards representing 70% of the country’s wine production, Mendoza is Argentina’s biggest and most important wine-growing province.
Mendoza’s vineyards are a haven to Old World varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Bonarda, Sangiovese, Barbera, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. The province’s signature grape is Malbec.
Mendoza still produces large amounts of inexpensive wine for domestic consumption, as well as grape concentrate, but the sub-region of Luján de Cuyo stands out with some lovely velvety Malbecs, while the cool, gravelly Maipú is best for Cabernet Sauvignon.
The most exciting area in Mendoza for fine whites, however, is the Uco Valley, that has the highest vineyards, up to 1,200 metres above sea level. Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Chenin, Pinot Grigio and Torrontés fare particularly well in its cool climate. Its sub-region of Tupungato produces Argentina’s best Chardonnay.
Prices:
Bottle
£12.50
Bottle 12 x 75cl 374cs
Bottle
£15.95
Bottle 12 x 75cl 5cs
Warm lemon and white peach aromas are followed by riper flavours of yellow apple and nectarine, accompanied by toasty notes of lees-ageing. Ripe but refined with good texture and length, this is exclusive to Berry Bros. & Rudd in the UK. Match with roast loin of pork, macaroni cheese, Gruyère cheese.
Bottle
£17.95
Bottle 6 x 75cl 11cs
Bottle
£21.50
Bottle 6 x 75cl 23cs
If this wine’s bouquet of black fruit, cedar and pencil shavings (pointing to Gualtallary’s gravel soils) is classical and relatively restrained, the palate is downright exuberant: a juggernaut of ripe fruit and sculpted, yet velvety tannins, propelled by mouth-watering acidity. The 2013 has all the attributes to improve over the next five years, but is drinking beautifully now, preferably with rare roast or grilled beef.
An extraordinarily concentrated and complex wine, this is hard to resist now but with the faculties to improve over the next five or more years. Blackberry, dark chocolate and dried flowers begin a long procession of aromas, which – with time in the glass or decanter – become increasingly savoury in character. Don’t stop swirling until you get smoky bacon! Like many of Mendoza’s best wines, it finishes on a beguiling saline note. Memorable stuff.
Bottle
£39.95
Bottle 6 x 75cl 7cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 3cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 4cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 3cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Pulenta Estate is owned and run by brothers, Hugo and Eduardo Pulenta. Situated in Alto Agrelo in Mendoza, it enjoys excellent climate conditions and panoramic views from up to 980 metres above sea-level. Irrigation comes from melted water running off the Andes and the whole process is de facto organic. The brothers’ philosophy is expressed thus: “Making a great wine is an act of generosity, considering always the one who will taste it. Our mission is to produce limited series of great wines, proudly made in Argentina.”
This wine has a lifted, aromatic nose of sweet black cherry and blackberry fruit. Its attractive perfume leads on to a smooth, silky palate full of ripe, crunchy blueberries. The wine is not heavy at all and has great freshness, making it very moreishly appealing. This would be an excellent match for mid-week fajitas or spaghetti bolognese.