by Andrew Chalk
Few would deny Argentina’s success with the malbec grape. Argentine winemakers took the French grape and made it their own in styles from $10 to over $100. It would be true to say that two generations of wine drinkers think first of Argentina when they think of malbec before they think of ‘the black wine of Cahors’ (its French incantation).
Leading importer of Argentine wines Vino del Sol has done as much as anybody to build that reputation, but the company actually has deep roots in Argentina and knows that great wine beyond malbec is coming from the country.
Recently, they conducted a national tour of some top Argentine winemakers to show off, not just their malbec, but their other grape varieties as well. On the Dallas stop I had the chance to try the wines and picked out a few favorites that are available locally.
Not only were the wines all 90+ quality, the prices were staggeringly good value. Aided by the depreciation of the peso, Argentina is now one of the bargains of the wine world.
Altocedro 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, La Consulta, Uco Valley Mendoza ($30).
Dusty nose, stout tannins, ripe fruit and layers of complexity. Highly recommended.
Tapiz Alta 2021 Chardonnay, San Pablo, Valle de Uco, Mendoza ($18)
Nose of exotic mango tropical fruit, clearly defined new French oak, creaminess in the mouth of malolactic fermentation. If this were from the Sonoma Coast it would score in the upper half of the wines on offer and sell for twice as much. Best bargain at the tasting.
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