Argentina may be a wine region synonymous with Malbec. But in recent years, winemakers have been exploring the country’s diverse terroirs and producing exciting wines from a range of grape varieties. This week’s Tasting Highlights centers on Malbec, but it also includes red blends, Chardonnay and Torrontés. All of these wines notched 90 points or more in recent tastings and are well-priced, at $35 or less.
Among the top-scoring wines is Matervini’s Tinto. Previous iterations of this wine blended Malbec with other Bordeaux varieties, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. However, founder and winemaker Santiago Achával discovered that as the Malbec vineyards aged, the quality increased, and he began reducing the amount of other grapes used until the wine became entirely Malbec. The grapes come from a vineyard in Chacayes, at an elevation of 3,600 feet, where the soils are a mix of alluvial sandy loam and gravel. This bottling consistently balances structure and freshness, and this vintage is no exception. The wine offers a succulent, textured core of blueberry and huckleberry, with fresh, chalky acidity and a structured finish.
For a broader regional blend, look to Trapiche, the largest exported brand from Argentina, which combines grapes from its numerous Mendoza vineyards to create a well-proportioned Malbec with a mix of luscious fruit and savory undertones. Taking a similar approach, with special attention to high-elevation vineyards, Bodegas Terrazas de los Andes’ Mendoza Reserva combines more than 100 parcels from eight vineyards. Eschewing oak during the winemaking results in a charming style with fresh acidity and a polished finish.
For whites, Argentinian winemakers are using high-elevation vineyards to maintain freshness, to great success. Bodega El Esteco is located in the northern Cafayate Valley region at an elevation of 5,500 feet. El Esteco sources its restrained yet refreshing Torrontés from vineyards situated at elevations of 5,600 and 6,500 feet. Meanwhile, Susana Balbo blends Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon from Paraje Altamira vineyards at nearly 4,000 feet to create a delicately floral wine with a tropical-focused core and a clean, vibrant finish.
Read on to get our expert scores and full tasting notes!
Tasting Highlights’ wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors’ most recent ratings—including scores and full tasting notes—to WineSpectator.com members. This week our editors have been tasting red and white wines from Argentina, including Malbec, Chardonnay and more.
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