South American Wine Guide, Independent Guide to the Best Wines in South America for Visitors to Peru

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South American Wines

An Introduction to the Wines of South America for Visitors to Peru

Wines from Argentina: Introduction / Regions / Notable Producers / Reviews

Reviews

Wine Spectator Top Wines from Argentina:

Classic Wines: 96 points / 95 points / 94 points

Outstanding Wines: 93 points / 92 points / 91 points / 90 points

Very Good Wines: 89 points

93 Points

Achával-Ferrer Quimera Mendoza 2004 93 $48
Racy, almost piercing, with graphite, violet, mineral and boysenberry notes rushing along fine tannins and acidity. The finish is long, but on the tight side for now, so this should be cellared. Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2007 through 2014. 4,125 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2006

Achával-Ferrer Finca Mirador Mendoza 2005 93 $112
Offers a wide range of vivid purple and black fruit flavors with a piercing intensity, as notes of violet and iron race alongside the exotic plum cake, blueberry and black currant. Packed, but the structure is dominant for now, with loam and iron notes clamping down on the finish. Best from 2008 through 2012. 577 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Oct 15, 2007

Alta Vista Alto Mendoza 2004 93 $60
Big and bold, with tar, loam and bittersweet cocoa holding the upper hand for now on a core of black currant and plum fruit. Yet plenty of ripe, imbedded tannins and fine acidity to carry through until it resolves itself fully. Flashy, and pulls it off. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2007 through 2014. 628 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Sep 30, 2006

Alta Vista Malbec Luján de Cuyo Serenade 2006 93 $50
Very dark, nearly brooding, with fig paste, hoisin sauce, bittersweet cocoa, espresso and loam notes that are pushed by muscular, well-rounded tannins. Long, driven finish. A seriously gutsy style, but pulls it off. Best from 2009 through 2014. 344 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008

Alta Vista Malbec Luján de Cuyo Alizarine 2006 93 $50
Intense, with crushed plum and currant fruit pumping over dark briar, fig sauce, dark chocolate bark and coffee notes. Rich and muscular on the finish, but with excellent underlying acidity. Let this round into form in the cellar. Best from 2009 through 2013. 188 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008

Bodega Catena Zapata Nicolás Catena Zapata Mendoza 1999 93 $90
Dense, with roasted cocoa bean, bittersweet chocolate, black currant and blackberry fruit flavors, and a long, powerful finish held together by tongue-pounding tannins. Well-defined now, this should get better in the medium term. Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2007. 995 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Dec 31, 2002

Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Alta 2002 93 $45
Deftly toasted, with vanilla and mocha suavely intertwined with lush plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit. Long, plush and smoky through the finish, with the fruit taking an encore. A beauty. Drink now through 2008. 4,000 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2005

Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Catena Viñas Adrianna Lot 3 2003 93 $45
Offers a torrent of blueberry, plum and boysenberry fruit, backed by dark cocoa, loam and tar notes. Yet stays racy and vivid on the long finish, with a nice mineral hint. Drink now through 2010. 170 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 30, 2006

Bodega Catena Zapata Nicolás Catena Zapata Mendoza 2002 93 $90
An impressive, modern-style wine, with well-defined layers of loam, raspberry, black currant, tobacco, mineral and grilled herb. Powerful, but long and elegant, with the toast content to sit in the background. Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2011. 1,000 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 30, 2006

Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Alta 2004 93 $45
Dark and lush, with a gorgeous mouthfeel to the exotic fig, boysenberry and blueberry fruit flavors backed by intense spice, mocha, loam and licorice notes. Superlong, showing great drive and purity on the finish. A beauty. Drink now through 2010. 2,500 cases imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 30, 2007

Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Alta 2004 93 $45
This is a gorgeous, streamlined, modern Cabernet, with cocoa powder, loam, fig paste and molten chocolate notes that glide over ripe, well-imbedded tannins. The long, dark finish is really alluring. Drink now through 2011. 825 cases imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
May 15, 2008

Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Alta 2005 93 $50
Very concentrated, with dark fig and currant paste notes, but it's also pure and driven, with intense mocha, bittersweet cocoa and melted licorice notes that stretch out the long, polished finish. Really gorgeous for its density and mouthfeel. Drink now through 2013. 3,750 cases imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008

Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Alta 2005 93 $57
Polished, ripe and suave, with gorgeous fig sauce, raspberry compote, blackberry jam and incense notes layered with enticing mocha and Kona coffee. The long finish is really stylish, despite its concentration. Drink now through 2011. 1,180 cases imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Feb 28, 2009

Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Adrianna Vineyard 2005 93 $105
A bold, rich, toasty style, with plenty of roasted vanilla and mocha notes up front, followed by a solid core of fig bread, blueberry compote and crushed blackberry fruit. The long finish is filled with licorice and toast. A big wine, but not overwhelming. Drink now through 2011. 200 cases imported. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Apr 30, 2009

Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza Catena Viñas Altamira Lot 1 2003 93 $45
Well-structured, with muscular tannins holding the dark plum, tar and spice notes at bay. Thick and dense, but with fresh acidity, which lets the mineral, licorice and tar hints chime in on the finish. Best from 2007 through 2010. 170 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 30, 2006

Bodega Chacra Pinot Noir Río Negro Treinta y Dos 2005 93 $120
Ripe and driven, with muscular dark cherry, plum, currant, spice and licorice notes carried by a terrific beam of sweet earth and iron. The long, powerful finish has a gutsy tug-of-earth texure, like a Pommard. This is very impressive. Drink now through 2013. 231 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Patagonia Issue Date:
Web Only - 2007

Viña Cobos Malbec Mendoza Bramare 2002 93 $30
Terrific blast of blackberry and fig fruit, but its efforts aren't all spent up front; this wine pumps out toast, mineral, fig, spice and cocoa notes all the way through its super-creamy finish. Gorgeous, modern-style wine. The second wine of Viña Cobos. Drink now through 2010. 1,150 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2004

Viña Cobos Malbec Mendoza Bramare Marchiori Vineyard 2003 93 $85
Gorgeous fruit--fig, plum, black currant--all layered with suave mocha-infused toast, mineral, loam and dark chocolate flavors. Long and very deep on the finish, with the fruit cruising effortlessly. Drink now through 2011. 765 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Dec 15, 2005

Viña Cobos uNico Marchiori Vineyard Mendoza 2005 93 $165
Very well-endowed with dark licorice and warm ganache aromas, followed by a very rich palate of espresso, currant paste, warm fig bread and freshly crushed blackberry. The long finish is dense but very creamy in texture. An impressive version of the modern style. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2009 through 2014. 221 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Jun 15, 2008

Viña Cobos Malbec Mendoza Marchiori Vineyard 2006 93 $175
Very lush, with concentrated but silky layers of fig sauce, crushed plum, blackberry paste and mocha that glide over muscular but well-rounded tannins. Long and velvety through the powerful finish. Drink now through 2012. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 641 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Dec 31, 2008

Bodega Colomé Reserva Calchaquí Valley 2003 93 $90
Smells and looks like Port, with molasses and blueberry aromas and inky color. Thick but creamy, with layers of hoisin sauce, macerated plum, chocolate ganache and fig preserve. Has the structure to keep it going, but the style may be extreme for purists. A wine to spread on toast. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2010. 250 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Salta Issue Date:
Nov 30, 2006

Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier Alfa Crux Uco Valley 2002 93 $42
A very flashy, modern-style wine, with layers of mocha and spice-infused toast leading the way for boysenberry, blackberry and fig fruit. Shows additional tar, mineral, graphite and even violet notes through the rich but racy finish. Tempranillo, Malbec and Merlot. Drink now through 2010. 3,300 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Oct 15, 2006

Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier Malbec Uco Valley Alfa Crux 2004 93 $44
This is dark and packed with a large core of hoisin sauce, Port reduction, bittersweet cocoa, raspberry ganache and charcoal that manages to stay fleshy and driven through the long, structured finish. Offers youthful impact now, but really built for cellaring�unlike most of its peers, which offer vivid fruit right out of the gate. Best from 2009 through 2015. 1,000 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Feb 29, 2008

Luca Malbec Altos de Mendoza Nico 2004 93 $125
Really juicy, with superripe plum and boysenberry fruit pushed by lush and alluring mocha, fig cake, espresso and sweet licorice notes. Has some toast to absorb, so cellar short-term for full effect. Best from 2009 through 2012. 100 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Feb 29, 2008

Luca Malbec Uco Valley 2007 93 $35
Really goes for the gusto, with dark fig sauce, melted purple licorice, mocha, fruitcake and crushed boysenberry and blueberry fruit, all gliding along rich, velvety tannins. Long, mouthfilling finish. Drink now through 2012. 1,700 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008

Luca Beso de Dante Mendoza 2006 93 $50
Very dark, with fig, cocoa and ganache notes backed by coffee, black licorice and loam. Long and rich through the finish, with raspberry and linzer torte notes echoing, but well-rounded, with enough freshness for balance. Should age nicely. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2013. 200 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Oct 31, 2008

Bodega Mendel Unus Mendoza 2006 93 $50
Vivid and tightly wound, with a racy, superripe core of blueberry, raspberry and fig fruit held back for now by a layer of sweet, spicy toast. Yet this is well-integrated and superlengthy, with a great graphite edge underneath. Should cellar well. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2009 through 2015. 1,425 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Nov 15, 2008

Bodega Noemía de Patagonia Río Negro Valley 2002 93 $155
Gorgeous nose of raspberry and fig compote and a creamy, dense palate of dark berry fruit, vanilla, spice, graphite and mocha. The long finish drips with fruit, but has great underlying acidity and minerality to keep it going. Pretty suave. Malbec. Drink now through 2011. 255 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Patagonia Issue Date:
May 15, 2005

Bodega Noemía de Patagonia Río Negro Valley 2003 93 $150
Lots of pure, dark fruit--blueberry, raspberry and blackberry--with plenty of spice and toast. Lingering mineral and mocha notes weave through the fruit-filled finish. Great length and mouthfeel. Malbec. Drink now through 2014. 230 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Patagonia Issue Date:
Web Only - 2006

TriVento Malbec Mendoza Eolo 2005 93 $79
Really loaded, with a huge core of raspberry ganache, currant paste, warm fig and melted black licorice flavors that all glide over rich, creamy tannins. Muscular but accessible, with a superlong finish. Malbec, with 10 percent Syrah. Debut release. Drink now through 2014. 208 cases made. –JM Country:
Argentina Region:
Mendoza Issue Date:
Jun 30, 2008

South American Wines - An Independent Guide to the some of the Best Wines from Peru, Argentina & Chile.