Argentina
Argentina is a renowned wine region known for producing exceptional fine wines that reflect the unique terroir of the country. The wine industry in Argentina dates back to the 16th century when Spanish colonizers introduced grapevines to the country. Today, Argentina is the fifth-largest wine-producing country in the world, and its wines are gaining increasing recognition and popularity among wine enthusiasts worldwide.
Some of the most famous vineyards in Argentina include Catena Zapata, Achaval Ferrer, Bodega Colomé, Trapiche, and Norton.
These vineyards are known for their commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices, as well as their use of traditional winemaking techniques.
Catena Zapata, for example, is a renowned producer of Malbec, one of Argentina's signature grape varieties. The vineyard produces a range of high-quality wines, including the Catena Alta Malbec, the Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino, and the Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Malbec.
With a focus on unique terroir, sustainable farming practices, and traditional winemaking techniques, Argentina is a region that produces exceptional fine wines that are sure to impress even the most discerning wine connoisseurs. From the bold and robust Malbec to the elegant and complex Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentine wines are a must-try for any wine enthusiast.
Read More
Argentina
Photo
AI Chat
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£464.44 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2018 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented in small lots in 3,000- to 8,000-liter tanks and matured 40% in 225-liter oak barrels, 40% in 400-liter oak barrels and the remaining 20% in 2,500-liter oak vats for 13 months. Ninety percent of the oak used was French and the rest a blend of Austrian, Slovenian and German oak, 50% of it new. 2018 has been one of the best vintages in recent times in Mendoza, and the wine shows it. It's a cooler vintage, and the wine has improved in freshness and elegance without losing any clout. It's 14.5% alcohol and has a pH of 3.73. This is young, juicy, elegant and balanced and still has some herbal and toasted notes; it's medium to full-bodied, with the creamy and luxurious texture of the modern Bordeaux, ultra fine tannins and a long, dry and precise finish. It's still undeveloped and seems to have all the components and the balance between them for a long and positive development in bottle. With wines like this, I sometimes wish I had a time machine so I could see them in 20 years from now... I think this is the finest Cheval des Andes I've ever tasted. 100,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2020. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 2 | 99 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£531.23 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (99)Cheval des Andes continues its steady ascent towards the summit of the very best and most sought-after New World reds. I tasted this wine over the space of a day and was very close to giving it 100 points. Made from an equal blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines fruit from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira to brilliant effect. Aged in 50% new barrels and foudres, it’s effortlessly complex and detailed, with refined tannins, graphite and cut grass aromas, cassis and bramble flavours and remarkable palate length. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 5 | 99 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£624.04 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (99)Cheval des Andes continues its steady ascent towards the summit of the very best and most sought-after New World reds. I tasted this wine over the space of a day and was very close to giving it 100 points. Made from an equal blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines fruit from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira to brilliant effect. Aged in 50% new barrels and foudres, it’s effortlessly complex and detailed, with refined tannins, graphite and cut grass aromas, cassis and bramble flavours and remarkable palate length. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 99 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£556.24 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (99)Cheval des Andes continues its steady ascent towards the summit of the very best and most sought-after New World reds. I tasted this wine over the space of a day and was very close to giving it 100 points. Made from an equal blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines fruit from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira to brilliant effect. Aged in 50% new barrels and foudres, it’s effortlessly complex and detailed, with refined tannins, graphite and cut grass aromas, cassis and bramble flavours and remarkable palate length. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£512.03 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. It was Gabillet's second vintage at Cheval des Andes, and that year, he had to start without waiting for Pierre Olivier Clouet and Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc; when they arrived, they had finished picking the Malbec, which surprisingly was fresher in Las Compuertas (because of the higher percentage of clay?) than in Altamira (where the vines suffered more stress), saving the freshness. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning (six in the morning, impossible earlier in Mendoza...), which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. They used 40% 225-liter barrels, 40% 400-liter oak barrels and 20% 2,500-liter foudres, half of them new and with an élevage of 15 months on average, depending on the lots and varieties from 12 to 18 months. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. The key was to finish the fermentation of the Petit Verdot without skins, and that way, they have been able to use it in the blends of 2021, 2022 and 2023 in small but increasing percentages. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage. They produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to keep the volume stable. They produce this volume from the 36 productive hectares they have in Las Compuertas and Altamira. There are some more changes: in 2020, they went for a lighter bottle, weighing 100 grams less than the one they used in 2018 and 2019, but close to 300 grams less than the bottle from before. It's also a slimmer bottle, always thinking about the environment. They are very focused on agroecology, accelerating the regenerative viticulture and using cover crops; they have planted 1,900 trees in the last three years, creating small clusters of biodiversity for birds. They have transplanted some centenary olive trees and keep their sheep and lamas on the property. Very green-minded. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 10 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£601.24 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. It was Gabillet's second vintage at Cheval des Andes, and that year, he had to start without waiting for Pierre Olivier Clouet and Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc; when they arrived, they had finished picking the Malbec, which surprisingly was fresher in Las Compuertas (because of the higher percentage of clay?) than in Altamira (where the vines suffered more stress), saving the freshness. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning (six in the morning, impossible earlier in Mendoza...), which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. They used 40% 225-liter barrels, 40% 400-liter oak barrels and 20% 2,500-liter foudres, half of them new and with an élevage of 15 months on average, depending on the lots and varieties from 12 to 18 months. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. The key was to finish the fermentation of the Petit Verdot without skins, and that way, they have been able to use it in the blends of 2021, 2022 and 2023 in small but increasing percentages. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage. They produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to keep the volume stable. They produce this volume from the 36 productive hectares they have in Las Compuertas and Altamira. There are some more changes: in 2020, they went for a lighter bottle, weighing 100 grams less than the one they used in 2018 and 2019, but close to 300 grams less than the bottle from before. It's also a slimmer bottle, always thinking about the environment. They are very focused on agroecology, accelerating the regenerative viticulture and using cover crops; they have planted 1,900 trees in the last three years, creating small clusters of biodiversity for birds. They have transplanted some centenary olive trees and keep their sheep and lamas on the property. Very green-minded. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£522.64 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. It was Gabillet's second vintage at Cheval des Andes, and that year, he had to start without waiting for Pierre Olivier Clouet and Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc; when they arrived, they had finished picking the Malbec, which surprisingly was fresher in Las Compuertas (because of the higher percentage of clay?) than in Altamira (where the vines suffered more stress), saving the freshness. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning (six in the morning, impossible earlier in Mendoza...), which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. They used 40% 225-liter barrels, 40% 400-liter oak barrels and 20% 2,500-liter foudres, half of them new and with an élevage of 15 months on average, depending on the lots and varieties from 12 to 18 months. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. The key was to finish the fermentation of the Petit Verdot without skins, and that way, they have been able to use it in the blends of 2021, 2022 and 2023 in small but increasing percentages. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage. They produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to keep the volume stable. They produce this volume from the 36 productive hectares they have in Las Compuertas and Altamira. There are some more changes: in 2020, they went for a lighter bottle, weighing 100 grams less than the one they used in 2018 and 2019, but close to 300 grams less than the bottle from before. It's also a slimmer bottle, always thinking about the environment. They are very focused on agroecology, accelerating the regenerative viticulture and using cover crops; they have planted 1,900 trees in the last three years, creating small clusters of biodiversity for birds. They have transplanted some centenary olive trees and keep their sheep and lamas on the property. Very green-minded. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | - |
Inc. VAT
£276.29 |
|||||
|
The DiamAndes De Uco Gran Reserva 2017, a fine red blend from the illustrious producer DiamAndes, hails from the Uco Valley, Argentina. A harmonious mélange of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot creates an enchanting bouquet to tantalise the most sophisticated palates. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 18 months, resulting in a foam-coloured body of deep intensity with vigorous notes of ripe red fruits overlaid with a hint of vanilla. Its long, complex finish creates an unforgettable experience. Full-bodied and exuding rich tannins, the DiamAndes De Uco Gran Reserva 2017 reveals an impeccable structure underpinned by the terroir’s cool, semi-desert climate and its lean alluvial soils. Commanding top-tier ratings and critical acclaim, this Grand Cru is a testament to vineyard’s commitment to using sustainable agricultural practices and traditional winemaking methods to achieve superior quality. Savour the elegant sophistication of DiamAndes De Uco Gran Reserva 2017, an apex of Argentinian winemaking. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£272.44 |
|||||
|
The DiamAndes De Uco Grande Reserve Chardonnay 2018, a product of meticulous craftsmanship, embodies the unparalleled quality of Argentine wines. Originating from the esteemed DiamAndes winery located within the prestigious Uco Valley, the vines benefit from an exceptional terroir and an altitude of 1,100 metres. The grapes are handpicked and meticulously sorted to ensure only the finest are selected. This wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months to cultivate a unique blend of richness and complexity. The result is a wine of remarkable elegance with pristine apple and citrus flavours, beautifully balanced with minerality and a refined finish. The DiamAndes De Uco Grande Reserve Chardonnay 2018 stands as a testament to the expertise and commitment of its creators to promote the timeless tradition of fine wine-making. A must-have for any connoisseur, the DiamAndes De Uco Grande Reserve Chardonnay 2018 evokes an unparalleled tasting journey rivalling the world’s top Chardonnays. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£276.29 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2020 Chardonnay Dimandes Grande Reserve comes from Campo Los Andes, Uco Valley, and spent 12 months aging in French barrels, 50% of them new. Pale green in the glass. The intense, complex nose presents cedar, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, creamed corn and pear. The oaky flavors continue in the mouth, where the wine starts out indulgently with a packaged flow that is sculpted by the wood while maintaining a fruity character. The finish, however, is dominated by toasted almonds and caramel. A well-executed exercise in style. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£277.24 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2021 Chardonnay Grande Reserve DiamAndes de Uco from Vista Flores was half aged for twelve months in barrels. Green in the glass. The complex nose offers flan, vanilla and pencil box alongside measured apple and peach notes. Creamy with an expansive flow, the malic freshness and tension combine to enhance the palate and stretch out the long, caramel-laced finish. A well-executed, classical wine made more nuanced by the cool year. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 20 | - |
Inc. VAT
£204.29 |
|||||
|
The DiamAndes De Uco Malbec 2016, a product of the esteemed DiamAndes winery nestled in the prestigious Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina, is an exquisite embodiment of viticulturist excellence. This high altitude region, famed for premier Malbec production, provides a unique microclimate and terroir, imparting exceptional character to this distinguished vintage. Exhibiting a vibrant, deep red colour, the DiamAndes De Uco Malbec 2016 presents an enticing medley of ripe raspberries and cherries, complemented by hints of black pepper spice and delicate vanilla nuances derived from 14 months' ageing in French oak. Delighting the palate with its expressive nose and tannic robustness, this full-bodied Malbec culminates in a prolonged finish with underlying earthy notes. Much like its producer, a member of the revered Clos de los Siete group, this wine sets a benchmark for elegance, complexity and sophistication. Immerse in the opulent, rich flavours of the DiamAndes De Uco Malbec 2016. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 10 | - |
Inc. VAT
£397.49 |
|||||
|
From the elevated vineyards of Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina comes the masterful Dona Paula Gualtallary Seleccion Bodega Malbec 2019. The winemaking team at Dona Paula is dedicated to creating wines of the highest possible quality. This Malbec is artfully crafted with hand-picked grapes and is subject to a careful double-selection process. It offers the perfect flavour combination of fresh fruit and minerality, reflecting its Andes terroir. It is aged for 12 months in first-use French oak barrels imparting complexity and finesse, delivering a sophisticated palate with rich black fruit and peppery spice, balanced by smooth tannins and crisp acidity. This wine exemplifies the result of meticulous attention to detail and dedication to expressing the unique characteristic of the Argentinian terrain. A treat for the consummate wine lover, the Dona Paula Gualtallary Seleccion Bodega Malbec 2019 offers a sublime experience for the palate. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£235.24 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Made “like a flan”, according to Ale Vigil, this is a co-fermented blend of Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec, with lots of whole bunches and aged in old wooden foudres. Zesty and fresh, with the low alcohol and focus that are a feature of El Enemigo style, it’s savoury and bright with salty minerality and graphite and green herb flavours. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£235.24 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)This is really amazing with an exotic dried-fruit character of pineapple and mangoes. Full-bodied, rich and fruity with cream, pie-crust and caramel character. Crazy chardonnay with a little Jura style and some flor undertones. It really does have flor in the barrel when aging. Love. Get it. Drink now. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£214.84 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)A tight and beautiful white with a dense palate of beautiful, ripe lemons and apples. Layered and refined with phenolic tension. Complex yeast and hints of oak and flor. Full body. Great length. 80 per cent flor-growth in barrel. Drink now. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£204.04 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)This is another rock-star chardonnay from here with dried-apple, pear-skin, crushed-stone and peach-pit character. Full body. Creamy texture. Phenolic form and a long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£163.24 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)Cooked apple, lemon curd and light vanilla on the nose, together with stone, mineral and some dried flowers. Medium to full body with a creamy texture and beautiful fruit. Hints of vanilla and pie crust in the aftertaste. Always great quality for the price. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 3 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£235.24 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)This has aromas of ripe apricots, buttercream, baked apples and pastries. Medium-to full-bodied with a creamy, round and almost oily texture. Lovely balance of ripe fruit and toasted-pastry notes with bright acidity. Delicious finish. Fantastic value, as always. Drink now or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£180.04 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)A hint of flint and gunpowder with waxed lemon, oyster shell, mango and salted green apples. Quite a textured, saline expression of chardonnay with tangy flavors and a mineral drive. Full-bodied and reductive with phenolic support. Savory, saline and mouthwatering finish. Love the austerity here. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£295.24 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97)The varietal blend of the 2016 Gran Enemigo is slightly different from the 2015, there's a bit more Cabernet Franc and less Cabernet Sauvignon, so 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Malbec, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The wine is fresher and more nuanced than the 2015, and there is clout and power but also a lot of finesse and elegance. The palate revealed superb harmony and very fine tannins, the acidity is very integrated and the wine is seamless, with fine chalky minerality and a bitterness in the finish that is salty rather than sweet. There is no room for sweetness in any of these wines; these are savory wines, powerful wines with superb balance and all the ingredients to develop slowly and for a very long time in bottle and destined for the dining table. It fills your mouth, but it's not heavy; it's powerful but feels ethereal. This is probably the finest vintage for this bottling so far. 19,200 bottles were filled in December 2018 from a shorter crop than previous years. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£418.84 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)Superb focus and intensity with blueberry, blackberry, wet earth and dried spice. Some bark. Full body, very fine tannins and beauty. Vivid and bright. Drink in 2018 but outstanding quality now. A a blend of 85% cab franc with 15% malbec. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 3 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£618.04 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97)The more austere 2017 Gran Enemigo Chacayes Single Vineyard was produced with Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec from a low-yielding and early harvest of plants at 1,100 meters in altitude. The fermentations for the Enemigo wines are always with indigenous yeasts and with some whole clusters, and in 2017, it was 100% (for all the single-vineyard wines) and aged in old oak foudres to avoid excessive aromas of oak or toast. The palate reveals some austerity too, but it has pungent flavors and piercing acidity and a very tasty, almost salty finish. This is also truly impressive, outstanding for a year like 2017 and among the best Chacayes ever. 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2018. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 96 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£451.24 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (96)One of two new single-vineyard Cabernet Francs first produced in 2012 is the 2012 Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Single Vineyard, from a place that will soon should get its own appellation in the San Carlos district of the Valle de Uco. This is sourced from a vineyard at 1,450 meters with colluvial soils of glacial origin, with pink granite and some limestone of marine origin, as there are marine fossils. The palate is incredibly linear, sharp and austere, with the texture of stones and some aromas of graphite. There are minor traces of oak, but they are very subtle, perhaps only noticeable when tasting it next to the other single vineyards. This is austere and mineral, and it should develop beautifully in bottle. This is a superb addition to the already exceptional portfolio of Aleanna. 2,000 bottles. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£487.24 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97+)These single-vineyard bottlings are like a snapshot of the place, and the 2016 Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Single Vineyard capture the wilderness and the (scarce) local vegetation of the place: thyme, rosemary, rockrose—austere and perfumed but not exotic. The cracked black peppercorn note on the palate reminded me that this is (mostly) a Cabernet Franc, with its fine-grained tannins and its long and dry finish. 2016 was an unusual year, with lots of rain and cooler temperatures that complicated things in many places, but it was exceptional in many high-altitude locations within the Valle de Uco where El Cepillo is. This is both powerful and delicate, while the 2015 is more direct. This is simply superb. 4,000 bottles were filled in late 2018. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 2 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£573.64 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2010 was a hard act to follow, and the 2011 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard had to fulfill great expectations. There is less color in this 2011 (I popped a bottle of the 2010 for comparison) and more notes reminiscent of Cabernet Franc (Alejandro Vigil harvested even earlier in 2010), because it is mostly Cabernet Franc from a very chalky vineyard in Gualtallary at 1,430 meters altitude that fermented together with a small percentage of Malbec. 50% of the volume was fermented with destemmed Cabernet Franc and full-cluster Malbec. The grapes from the most calcareous soils underwent a carbonic maceration in small bins, and after one week they are pressed and the juice finishes fermenting as if it were a white wine. The texture is very fine and the acidity seems like if it had a timer and shoots a second later than you expect it, creating a small explosion in your taste buds. That provides a very long aftertaste and almost citric flavors with a mineral, almost salty finish. At the end of the day this feels lighter but at the same time more complex than the 2010. If you want to understand what Gualtallary can do, find a bottle of this wine. It's drinkable now, but it should have a long life in bottle. At this quality level the price seems too good to be true. Unfortunately, only 3,400 bottles were produced. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£506.44 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98+)The nose of the 2012 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard almost made me fall from my chair. It is the expression of elegance and austerity coupled with strong minerality. It is mostly Cabernet Franc from a very chalky vineyard in Gualtallary at 1,430 meters altitude that fermented together with a small percentage of Malbec. In 2012 they fine tuned the élevage and fermentation, which was in rolling 500-liter barrels that were new in 2006 (so by then quite neutral), where the wine was kept for one more year and then transferred to 1,000-liter egg-shaped cement vats for one further year. This reminded me of my favorite Bordeaux, Lafleur, because of the elegance, the refinement of the tannins and length. It has citric, effervescent acidity that makes you salivate. Winemaker and Owner Alejandro Vigil has done a very strict selection of the soils in the field, and only kept the very center of the vineyard where the high density (12,000 plants per hectare) generates a lot of competition, because the plants from the borders have more space in the sides, which means in 2012 he could only fill 1,800 bottles. Awesome, and ultra fresh for a vintage like 2012. Bravo! |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£561.64 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)I also tasted the 2014 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard, which might take some months to come into the market. It has some balsamic aromas, medicinal hints, traces of orange peel, saffron and a touch of sweet spices. It's built around very fine tannins and a notable core of acidity that acts as backbone, giving it length and lifting up the finish. This is quite in line with the 2010 vintage, with power and freshness in a rare combination of clout and elegance only the very best wines manage to show. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£541.24 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)This is such a fabulous red with ripe berries, blackberries and hints of dried mushrooms and black tea. Full body and crystalline tannins that carry the wine on for minutes. Energetic and takes off like a rocket. Extreme, great wine. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 99 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£174.41 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (99)The nose of the 2016 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard transported me back to the classical wines from the Bordeaux of yesteryear, with austerity and with no room for sweetness or creamy texture. This is about chalk and umami, salty and tasty, with the clout and wilderness of Gualtallary; its electric freshness and fine tannins; the expression of Cabernet Franc (with some Merlot) in the poor, stony and limestone-rich soils from the high-altitude vineyards; and the intensity this altitude provides, as there is a strong impact from the light in the grapes. But the one thing that I liked the most about this 2016 was its balance and the way it feels light but has tremendous concentration and power, light on its feet with masses of inner strength. It's nuanced and complex, even if it's terribly young. With time in the glass, it developed notes of orange peel that spoke of freshness, and the palate is sharp and direct, with symmetry and precision. This is approachable now but should live forever in bottle. |
|||||||||
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£371.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2018 Cheval des Andes is a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented in small lots in 3,000- to 8,000-liter tanks and matured 40% in 225-liter oak barrels, 40% in 400-liter oak barrels and the remaining 20% in 2,500-liter oak vats for 13 months. Ninety percent of the oak used was French and the rest a blend of Austrian, Slovenian and German oak, 50% of it new. 2018 has been one of the best vintages in recent times in Mendoza, and the wine shows it. It's a cooler vintage, and the wine has improved in freshness and elegance without losing any clout. It's 14.5% alcohol and has a pH of 3.73. This is young, juicy, elegant and balanced and still has some herbal and toasted notes; it's medium to full-bodied, with the creamy and luxurious texture of the modern Bordeaux, ultra fine tannins and a long, dry and precise finish. It's still undeveloped and seems to have all the components and the balance between them for a long and positive development in bottle. With wines like this, I sometimes wish I had a time machine so I could see them in 20 years from now... I think this is the finest Cheval des Andes I've ever tasted. 100,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2020. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 2 | 99 (TA) |
In Bond
£432.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (99)Cheval des Andes continues its steady ascent towards the summit of the very best and most sought-after New World reds. I tasted this wine over the space of a day and was very close to giving it 100 points. Made from an equal blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines fruit from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira to brilliant effect. Aged in 50% new barrels and foudres, it’s effortlessly complex and detailed, with refined tannins, graphite and cut grass aromas, cassis and bramble flavours and remarkable palate length. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 5 | 99 (TA) |
In Bond
£504.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (99)Cheval des Andes continues its steady ascent towards the summit of the very best and most sought-after New World reds. I tasted this wine over the space of a day and was very close to giving it 100 points. Made from an equal blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines fruit from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira to brilliant effect. Aged in 50% new barrels and foudres, it’s effortlessly complex and detailed, with refined tannins, graphite and cut grass aromas, cassis and bramble flavours and remarkable palate length. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 99 (TA) |
In Bond
£447.50 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (99)Cheval des Andes continues its steady ascent towards the summit of the very best and most sought-after New World reds. I tasted this wine over the space of a day and was very close to giving it 100 points. Made from an equal blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, it combines fruit from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira to brilliant effect. Aged in 50% new barrels and foudres, it’s effortlessly complex and detailed, with refined tannins, graphite and cut grass aromas, cassis and bramble flavours and remarkable palate length. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£416.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. It was Gabillet's second vintage at Cheval des Andes, and that year, he had to start without waiting for Pierre Olivier Clouet and Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc; when they arrived, they had finished picking the Malbec, which surprisingly was fresher in Las Compuertas (because of the higher percentage of clay?) than in Altamira (where the vines suffered more stress), saving the freshness. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning (six in the morning, impossible earlier in Mendoza...), which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. They used 40% 225-liter barrels, 40% 400-liter oak barrels and 20% 2,500-liter foudres, half of them new and with an élevage of 15 months on average, depending on the lots and varieties from 12 to 18 months. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. The key was to finish the fermentation of the Petit Verdot without skins, and that way, they have been able to use it in the blends of 2021, 2022 and 2023 in small but increasing percentages. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage. They produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to keep the volume stable. They produce this volume from the 36 productive hectares they have in Las Compuertas and Altamira. There are some more changes: in 2020, they went for a lighter bottle, weighing 100 grams less than the one they used in 2018 and 2019, but close to 300 grams less than the bottle from before. It's also a slimmer bottle, always thinking about the environment. They are very focused on agroecology, accelerating the regenerative viticulture and using cover crops; they have planted 1,900 trees in the last three years, creating small clusters of biodiversity for birds. They have transplanted some centenary olive trees and keep their sheep and lamas on the property. Very green-minded. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 10 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£485.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. It was Gabillet's second vintage at Cheval des Andes, and that year, he had to start without waiting for Pierre Olivier Clouet and Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc; when they arrived, they had finished picking the Malbec, which surprisingly was fresher in Las Compuertas (because of the higher percentage of clay?) than in Altamira (where the vines suffered more stress), saving the freshness. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning (six in the morning, impossible earlier in Mendoza...), which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. They used 40% 225-liter barrels, 40% 400-liter oak barrels and 20% 2,500-liter foudres, half of them new and with an élevage of 15 months on average, depending on the lots and varieties from 12 to 18 months. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. The key was to finish the fermentation of the Petit Verdot without skins, and that way, they have been able to use it in the blends of 2021, 2022 and 2023 in small but increasing percentages. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage. They produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to keep the volume stable. They produce this volume from the 36 productive hectares they have in Las Compuertas and Altamira. There are some more changes: in 2020, they went for a lighter bottle, weighing 100 grams less than the one they used in 2018 and 2019, but close to 300 grams less than the bottle from before. It's also a slimmer bottle, always thinking about the environment. They are very focused on agroecology, accelerating the regenerative viticulture and using cover crops; they have planted 1,900 trees in the last three years, creating small clusters of biodiversity for birds. They have transplanted some centenary olive trees and keep their sheep and lamas on the property. Very green-minded. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£419.50 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. It was Gabillet's second vintage at Cheval des Andes, and that year, he had to start without waiting for Pierre Olivier Clouet and Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc; when they arrived, they had finished picking the Malbec, which surprisingly was fresher in Las Compuertas (because of the higher percentage of clay?) than in Altamira (where the vines suffered more stress), saving the freshness. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning (six in the morning, impossible earlier in Mendoza...), which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. They used 40% 225-liter barrels, 40% 400-liter oak barrels and 20% 2,500-liter foudres, half of them new and with an élevage of 15 months on average, depending on the lots and varieties from 12 to 18 months. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. The key was to finish the fermentation of the Petit Verdot without skins, and that way, they have been able to use it in the blends of 2021, 2022 and 2023 in small but increasing percentages. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage. They produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to keep the volume stable. They produce this volume from the 36 productive hectares they have in Las Compuertas and Altamira. There are some more changes: in 2020, they went for a lighter bottle, weighing 100 grams less than the one they used in 2018 and 2019, but close to 300 grams less than the bottle from before. It's also a slimmer bottle, always thinking about the environment. They are very focused on agroecology, accelerating the regenerative viticulture and using cover crops; they have planted 1,900 trees in the last three years, creating small clusters of biodiversity for birds. They have transplanted some centenary olive trees and keep their sheep and lamas on the property. Very green-minded. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | - |
In Bond
£211.00 |
|||||
|
The DiamAndes De Uco Gran Reserva 2017, a fine red blend from the illustrious producer DiamAndes, hails from the Uco Valley, Argentina. A harmonious mélange of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot creates an enchanting bouquet to tantalise the most sophisticated palates. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 18 months, resulting in a foam-coloured body of deep intensity with vigorous notes of ripe red fruits overlaid with a hint of vanilla. Its long, complex finish creates an unforgettable experience. Full-bodied and exuding rich tannins, the DiamAndes De Uco Gran Reserva 2017 reveals an impeccable structure underpinned by the terroir’s cool, semi-desert climate and its lean alluvial soils. Commanding top-tier ratings and critical acclaim, this Grand Cru is a testament to vineyard’s commitment to using sustainable agricultural practices and traditional winemaking methods to achieve superior quality. Savour the elegant sophistication of DiamAndes De Uco Gran Reserva 2017, an apex of Argentinian winemaking. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | - |
In Bond
£211.00 |
|||||
|
The DiamAndes De Uco Grande Reserve Chardonnay 2018, a product of meticulous craftsmanship, embodies the unparalleled quality of Argentine wines. Originating from the esteemed DiamAndes winery located within the prestigious Uco Valley, the vines benefit from an exceptional terroir and an altitude of 1,100 metres. The grapes are handpicked and meticulously sorted to ensure only the finest are selected. This wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months to cultivate a unique blend of richness and complexity. The result is a wine of remarkable elegance with pristine apple and citrus flavours, beautifully balanced with minerality and a refined finish. The DiamAndes De Uco Grande Reserve Chardonnay 2018 stands as a testament to the expertise and commitment of its creators to promote the timeless tradition of fine wine-making. A must-have for any connoisseur, the DiamAndes De Uco Grande Reserve Chardonnay 2018 evokes an unparalleled tasting journey rivalling the world’s top Chardonnays. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
£211.00 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2020 Chardonnay Dimandes Grande Reserve comes from Campo Los Andes, Uco Valley, and spent 12 months aging in French barrels, 50% of them new. Pale green in the glass. The intense, complex nose presents cedar, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, creamed corn and pear. The oaky flavors continue in the mouth, where the wine starts out indulgently with a packaged flow that is sculpted by the wood while maintaining a fruity character. The finish, however, is dominated by toasted almonds and caramel. A well-executed exercise in style. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£215.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2021 Chardonnay Grande Reserve DiamAndes de Uco from Vista Flores was half aged for twelve months in barrels. Green in the glass. The complex nose offers flan, vanilla and pencil box alongside measured apple and peach notes. Creamy with an expansive flow, the malic freshness and tension combine to enhance the palate and stretch out the long, caramel-laced finish. A well-executed, classical wine made more nuanced by the cool year. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 20 | - |
In Bond
£151.00 |
|||||
|
The DiamAndes De Uco Malbec 2016, a product of the esteemed DiamAndes winery nestled in the prestigious Uco Valley of Mendoza, Argentina, is an exquisite embodiment of viticulturist excellence. This high altitude region, famed for premier Malbec production, provides a unique microclimate and terroir, imparting exceptional character to this distinguished vintage. Exhibiting a vibrant, deep red colour, the DiamAndes De Uco Malbec 2016 presents an enticing medley of ripe raspberries and cherries, complemented by hints of black pepper spice and delicate vanilla nuances derived from 14 months' ageing in French oak. Delighting the palate with its expressive nose and tannic robustness, this full-bodied Malbec culminates in a prolonged finish with underlying earthy notes. Much like its producer, a member of the revered Clos de los Siete group, this wine sets a benchmark for elegance, complexity and sophistication. Immerse in the opulent, rich flavours of the DiamAndes De Uco Malbec 2016. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 10 | - |
In Bond
£312.00 |
|||||
|
From the elevated vineyards of Gualtallary, Mendoza, Argentina comes the masterful Dona Paula Gualtallary Seleccion Bodega Malbec 2019. The winemaking team at Dona Paula is dedicated to creating wines of the highest possible quality. This Malbec is artfully crafted with hand-picked grapes and is subject to a careful double-selection process. It offers the perfect flavour combination of fresh fruit and minerality, reflecting its Andes terroir. It is aged for 12 months in first-use French oak barrels imparting complexity and finesse, delivering a sophisticated palate with rich black fruit and peppery spice, balanced by smooth tannins and crisp acidity. This wine exemplifies the result of meticulous attention to detail and dedication to expressing the unique characteristic of the Argentinian terrain. A treat for the consummate wine lover, the Dona Paula Gualtallary Seleccion Bodega Malbec 2019 offers a sublime experience for the palate. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£180.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (95)Made “like a flan”, according to Ale Vigil, this is a co-fermented blend of Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec, with lots of whole bunches and aged in old wooden foudres. Zesty and fresh, with the low alcohol and focus that are a feature of El Enemigo style, it’s savoury and bright with salty minerality and graphite and green herb flavours. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£180.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)This is really amazing with an exotic dried-fruit character of pineapple and mangoes. Full-bodied, rich and fruity with cream, pie-crust and caramel character. Crazy chardonnay with a little Jura style and some flor undertones. It really does have flor in the barrel when aging. Love. Get it. Drink now. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£163.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)A tight and beautiful white with a dense palate of beautiful, ripe lemons and apples. Layered and refined with phenolic tension. Complex yeast and hints of oak and flor. Full body. Great length. 80 per cent flor-growth in barrel. Drink now. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£154.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)This is another rock-star chardonnay from here with dried-apple, pear-skin, crushed-stone and peach-pit character. Full body. Creamy texture. Phenolic form and a long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£120.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)Cooked apple, lemon curd and light vanilla on the nose, together with stone, mineral and some dried flowers. Medium to full body with a creamy texture and beautiful fruit. Hints of vanilla and pie crust in the aftertaste. Always great quality for the price. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 3 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£180.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)This has aromas of ripe apricots, buttercream, baked apples and pastries. Medium-to full-bodied with a creamy, round and almost oily texture. Lovely balance of ripe fruit and toasted-pastry notes with bright acidity. Delicious finish. Fantastic value, as always. Drink now or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 4 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£134.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)A hint of flint and gunpowder with waxed lemon, oyster shell, mango and salted green apples. Quite a textured, saline expression of chardonnay with tangy flavors and a mineral drive. Full-bodied and reductive with phenolic support. Savory, saline and mouthwatering finish. Love the austerity here. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
£230.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97)The varietal blend of the 2016 Gran Enemigo is slightly different from the 2015, there's a bit more Cabernet Franc and less Cabernet Sauvignon, so 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Malbec, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The wine is fresher and more nuanced than the 2015, and there is clout and power but also a lot of finesse and elegance. The palate revealed superb harmony and very fine tannins, the acidity is very integrated and the wine is seamless, with fine chalky minerality and a bitterness in the finish that is salty rather than sweet. There is no room for sweetness in any of these wines; these are savory wines, powerful wines with superb balance and all the ingredients to develop slowly and for a very long time in bottle and destined for the dining table. It fills your mouth, but it's not heavy; it's powerful but feels ethereal. This is probably the finest vintage for this bottling so far. 19,200 bottles were filled in December 2018 from a shorter crop than previous years. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£333.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)Superb focus and intensity with blueberry, blackberry, wet earth and dried spice. Some bark. Full body, very fine tannins and beauty. Vivid and bright. Drink in 2018 but outstanding quality now. A a blend of 85% cab franc with 15% malbec. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 3 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
£499.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97)The more austere 2017 Gran Enemigo Chacayes Single Vineyard was produced with Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec from a low-yielding and early harvest of plants at 1,100 meters in altitude. The fermentations for the Enemigo wines are always with indigenous yeasts and with some whole clusters, and in 2017, it was 100% (for all the single-vineyard wines) and aged in old oak foudres to avoid excessive aromas of oak or toast. The palate reveals some austerity too, but it has pungent flavors and piercing acidity and a very tasty, almost salty finish. This is also truly impressive, outstanding for a year like 2017 and among the best Chacayes ever. 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2018. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 96 (WA) |
In Bond
£360.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (96)One of two new single-vineyard Cabernet Francs first produced in 2012 is the 2012 Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Single Vineyard, from a place that will soon should get its own appellation in the San Carlos district of the Valle de Uco. This is sourced from a vineyard at 1,450 meters with colluvial soils of glacial origin, with pink granite and some limestone of marine origin, as there are marine fossils. The palate is incredibly linear, sharp and austere, with the texture of stones and some aromas of graphite. There are minor traces of oak, but they are very subtle, perhaps only noticeable when tasting it next to the other single vineyards. This is austere and mineral, and it should develop beautifully in bottle. This is a superb addition to the already exceptional portfolio of Aleanna. 2,000 bottles. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 97+ (WA) |
In Bond
£390.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97+)These single-vineyard bottlings are like a snapshot of the place, and the 2016 Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Single Vineyard capture the wilderness and the (scarce) local vegetation of the place: thyme, rosemary, rockrose—austere and perfumed but not exotic. The cracked black peppercorn note on the palate reminded me that this is (mostly) a Cabernet Franc, with its fine-grained tannins and its long and dry finish. 2016 was an unusual year, with lots of rain and cooler temperatures that complicated things in many places, but it was exceptional in many high-altitude locations within the Valle de Uco where El Cepillo is. This is both powerful and delicate, while the 2015 is more direct. This is simply superb. 4,000 bottles were filled in late 2018. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 2 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£462.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2010 was a hard act to follow, and the 2011 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard had to fulfill great expectations. There is less color in this 2011 (I popped a bottle of the 2010 for comparison) and more notes reminiscent of Cabernet Franc (Alejandro Vigil harvested even earlier in 2010), because it is mostly Cabernet Franc from a very chalky vineyard in Gualtallary at 1,430 meters altitude that fermented together with a small percentage of Malbec. 50% of the volume was fermented with destemmed Cabernet Franc and full-cluster Malbec. The grapes from the most calcareous soils underwent a carbonic maceration in small bins, and after one week they are pressed and the juice finishes fermenting as if it were a white wine. The texture is very fine and the acidity seems like if it had a timer and shoots a second later than you expect it, creating a small explosion in your taste buds. That provides a very long aftertaste and almost citric flavors with a mineral, almost salty finish. At the end of the day this feels lighter but at the same time more complex than the 2010. If you want to understand what Gualtallary can do, find a bottle of this wine. It's drinkable now, but it should have a long life in bottle. At this quality level the price seems too good to be true. Unfortunately, only 3,400 bottles were produced. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98+ (WA) |
In Bond
£406.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98+)The nose of the 2012 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard almost made me fall from my chair. It is the expression of elegance and austerity coupled with strong minerality. It is mostly Cabernet Franc from a very chalky vineyard in Gualtallary at 1,430 meters altitude that fermented together with a small percentage of Malbec. In 2012 they fine tuned the élevage and fermentation, which was in rolling 500-liter barrels that were new in 2006 (so by then quite neutral), where the wine was kept for one more year and then transferred to 1,000-liter egg-shaped cement vats for one further year. This reminded me of my favorite Bordeaux, Lafleur, because of the elegance, the refinement of the tannins and length. It has citric, effervescent acidity that makes you salivate. Winemaker and Owner Alejandro Vigil has done a very strict selection of the soils in the field, and only kept the very center of the vineyard where the high density (12,000 plants per hectare) generates a lot of competition, because the plants from the borders have more space in the sides, which means in 2012 he could only fill 1,800 bottles. Awesome, and ultra fresh for a vintage like 2012. Bravo! |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£452.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)I also tasted the 2014 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard, which might take some months to come into the market. It has some balsamic aromas, medicinal hints, traces of orange peel, saffron and a touch of sweet spices. It's built around very fine tannins and a notable core of acidity that acts as backbone, giving it length and lifting up the finish. This is quite in line with the 2010 vintage, with power and freshness in a rare combination of clout and elegance only the very best wines manage to show. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£435.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)This is such a fabulous red with ripe berries, blackberries and hints of dried mushrooms and black tea. Full body and crystalline tannins that carry the wine on for minutes. Energetic and takes off like a rocket. Extreme, great wine. Drink or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Mendoza | 1 | 99 (WA) |
In Bond
£140.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (99)The nose of the 2016 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard transported me back to the classical wines from the Bordeaux of yesteryear, with austerity and with no room for sweetness or creamy texture. This is about chalk and umami, salty and tasty, with the clout and wilderness of Gualtallary; its electric freshness and fine tannins; the expression of Cabernet Franc (with some Merlot) in the poor, stony and limestone-rich soils from the high-altitude vineyards; and the intensity this altitude provides, as there is a strong impact from the light in the grapes. But the one thing that I liked the most about this 2016 was its balance and the way it feels light but has tremendous concentration and power, light on its feet with masses of inner strength. It's nuanced and complex, even if it's terribly young. With time in the glass, it developed notes of orange peel that spoke of freshness, and the palate is sharp and direct, with symmetry and precision. This is approachable now but should live forever in bottle. |
|||||||||
The wines Argentina are the result of one of the great stories of perseverance in wine history. Coaxing high quality wines out of this semi-desert soil at literally breathtaking altitude seemed a pure fantasy less than a century ago, but with the efforts of some truly tenacious individuals Argentina has emerged as one of the foremost producers of quality wine. With clear focus on it’s national grape, Malbec, Argentina has laid claim to it’s place on the stage of international fine wine.
