They don’t come more exotic in bouquet and flavour than this. The Torrontes grape is native to Argentina and is very similar in style to the dry Muscats of Alsace. Pale straw colour, intense nose of carnation, rosewater, orange. Dry Muscat-like flavour, perfumed and lingering. Good value.
Aromatic redcurrant, ripe berry and a distinctive herbal scent yield to darker fruit flavours in a full-bodied, well structured package. This is a solid, satisfying wine, true to the style of Argentine Malbec and a steal at the price.
I’m usually not a great fan of Pinot Grigio; there are too many insipid examples on the market, but this one has real flavour. Peachy on the nose, it has a mouth-filling taste of pear and peach with lively acidity. And the price is right.
The attractively perfumed bouquet reveals fine red fruit accented with cinnamon, clove and subtle vanillin. On the palate, assertive dark plummy flavours, with still somewhat aggressive acidity and youthful dry tannins need time to fully integrate. Give it 5 to 7 years.
The nose displays great finesse with fine fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg and a light touch of vanillin. Plum and dark cherry flavours are wrapped in a still developing velvety, full-bodied texture with a deft touch of oak on the finish. Heavy dry tannins need time to soften. Best in another 5 to 7 years.
Great value here. The Catena family in Argentina’s Mendoza Valley have been making wine for 100 years. Their Alamos line is very affordable and very good quality. Oily, apple nose with a whiff of oak, it’s ripe and spicy with pineapple and melon flavours, full in the mouth with balancing acidity.