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Argentina: Odd Bottles

Argentina has lots to offer. Chile seems ahead in terms of quality and price, although there is always talk of Argentina's potential. But so far the revolution doesn't seem to have happened. Click to locate stockists:

La Agricola Santa Julia Bonarda Sangiovese Reserve (Mendoza) 1998: A juicy red colour, with a good nose - cherries, coffee and crispy bacon. On the palate a light to medium body, with soft tannins and sensible acidity. Rounded black fruits and vanillin (probably American) oak. Finishes well. Overall a nice wine. Good. (30/6/00) Retaste: Nose of blackberries, cherries and a meaty note, this time coming across as roasted herb sausages rather than bacon. Sweet, juicy fruit on the palate, some oak, good balance, soft tannins. A savoury, tasty finish. Good. (9/2/01)

Carmelo Patti Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza) 1997: Now this is more like it - a decent sample poured by the staff in my local Oddbins. Lovely colour, and big legs. Blackcurrant nose, quite jammy. Disconcerting when you get to the palate, as it has loads of tannins, quite green, with firm acidity, and astringent fruit. Needs time, and might be quite good, but I'm not convinced. (10/2/01)

Nicolas Catena Argento Malbec (Mendoza) 1999: An appealing, deep purple colour. The nose holds crushed summer fruits, with a sensible level of oak which seems predominantly French (although the label declares three months contact with both French and American oak). The palate has a glossy mouthfeel, with evident but acceptable acidity, superb fruit and nicely integrated oak. Firm but balanced tannins. Finishes well. A lovely, drinkable wine. Very good. (15/9/00)

Flichman Rafael Estate Malbec (Mendoza) 1997: A deep ruby-purple. Very jammy and minty nose, showing marked ripeness of fruit. Hints of new oak, with red and black summer fruits. Big fruity attack on the palate. Medium-full bodied, with slightly bitter acidity. The tannins are thick, quickly coating the mouth. Minty, ripe fruit. Soft yet also slightly bitter finish. Some length. Good. (18/10/00)

Marques de Grinon Domaine de Agrelo Malbec (Mendoza) 1996: Nice purple colour. Nose of crushed summer fruits. Palate has medium body, evident tannins and nicely balanced acidity. Blackberry fruit, a good creamy-velvety touch to the texture. Finishes well, with a little length. Good. (20/7/00)

La Nature Torrontes (Famatina Valley) 2001: This is a nicely coloured, pale lemon-gold wine. Plenty of interest on the nose, which is very flora, with soft chalky minerality and ripe citrus fruits. I first tasted this wine blind and the nose suggested Gewurztraminer, but the racy acidity on the palate makes it clear this is not the case. This is Argentina's very own white grape, Torrontes. Medium bodied, with a lovely weight and rounded mouthfeel, but with crisp grapefruit and other citrus fruit flavours, together with the aforementioned acidity. Clean, vibrant and refreshing. Very good. (18/4/03) Label

Santa Julia Viognier (Mendoza) 2003: A moderate colour. Quite classic Viognier on the nose; floral, aromatic, perfumed peach. Some suggestion of richness. Good, ripe flavoursome palate. Classic pine kernel notes. Fat, a little oily even especially through to the finish. Good lemon and white pepper acidity. Grippy finish. Overall it's ripe and tasty, balanced, but no real finesse or depth. Drink now. 14.5/20 (14/10/04)

Familia Zuccardi Q Malbec (Mendoza) 1998: A vibrant red purple hue, with only moderate colour intensity. Aromas of summer berry fruits on the nose, particularly raspberries, smothered in white chocolate, with notes of ground coffee and French oak. Delicious, upfront berry fruit on the palate, with a firm, tannic backbone. Superb balancing acidity. It finishes with a persistent presence of sweet fruit mixed with a elegant, savoury note. Very good. (12/12/00)