Wines of Argentina

_{This post has been brought to you by Wines of Argentina. All opinions expressed are my own. The following message is intended for those 21+. Please enjoy responsibly.}

Today we're taking a look at a collage of bottles from several different Argentinian wineries.

The Where - Argentina

Around the turn of the last century, Argentina experienced something of a 'wine boom,' particularly in the foothills of Mendoza. This served to establish Argentina as a wine-producing nation worthy of note, but real success wouldn't come for nearly another hundred years. Courtesy of a California-style renaissance in quality control over the last two to three decades, Argentina has risen to become the world's fifth most prominent wine producer, behind France, Italy, Spain, and the USA.

Argentina, being the second-largest nation in South America, is divided across a vast array of landscapes. Most prominently, there are the high plateaus, cool temperatures, and desert soils of the Andes that typify Mendoza, but then there are also the subtropical forests of the Cafayate region, a region that's perhaps best known for its Torrontes white wine grapes. However, both these areas contrast sharply with the 'balance' of someplace like the Catamarca region, which features both high and low altitudes and a temperate climate, with the region's vineyards focused largely around the Abaucan River. On Argentina's Atlantic coast, Patagonia's Rio Negro and Neuquen take advantage of the cooling sea breeze to produce Pinot Noir, while the valleys of San Juan, in particular the Tulu Valley, produce critically acclaimed Syrah as well as Malbec.

However, it is simply inarguable that Argentina owes its viticultural success largely to the Mendoza wine region, which accounts for some seventy percent of the country's total production, and some eighty-five percent of the nation's star-grape Malbec. Located at the edge of the Andes Mountains, vineyards in this region can be planted at altitudes of up to a mile above sea level, or a whopping 1500 meters. These altitudes, combined with the area's characteristic desert landscape, form an ideal terroir for richly aromatic and deliciously flavored red wines - a terroir almost tailor-made for the aforementioned Malbec grape.

The Bottles - A Showcase

• First up, we'll be taking a look at a Santa Julia 2016 Reserva Malbec
• Next, we'll be sampling Dona Paula's 2014 Malbec
• After that we'll be tasting a Finca el Origen, a 2016 Malbec
• Then we've got a Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2017 that we'll be reviewing
• Finally, we'll be taking a look at Trivento's Amado Sur, a 2015 Malbec-led blend

Tasting and Aromatics - The Review

The Santa Julia Reserve introduces itself with mixed dark fruit notes, think sliced plum and blackberries. Oak notes manifest deeper into the glass, alongside something vaguely chocolatey, with faint vanilla essences. On the palate, the wine is substantially bodied. The dark fruit notes from the bouquet carry over quite nicely, dusted with black pepper and powdered cocoa. A very pleasant bottle from start to finish.

The Dona Paula Malbec greets with 'earthy' notes, think damp leaves and tilled soiled, something wine reviewers like to refer to as 'forest floor.' Deeper into the glass, there are notes of cracked leather and vanilla notes. Oak is prominent throughout. These qualities combine to create a very layered, complex, and inviting bouquet. On the palate, the characteristic Malbec profile of dark fruit mixed with vanilla and cocoa come together quite nicely, carried on a silky mouthfeel, with a lasting finish.

The Finca el Origen Malbec 2016 greets with bright red cherries off the top of the glass, followed by oak and chocolate. Deeper into the glass, the cherry notes mature into raspberries laced with vanilla. On the palate, the wine surprises with plum and dark berry notes, carried on a medium body and substantial tannins.

The Kaiken is earth, leather, and oak off the top of the glass. Dark fruit, particularly crushed blackberries, manifests deeper into the glass. Smokey essences, tilled soil, and vanilla perforate throughout the bouquet, but always linger in the background. On the palate, the wine is 'big and bold.' Pepper and oak are front and center, but pleasantly so, and linger on the finish. A very enjoyable bottle in my book.

The Amado Sur is quite dry, especially on the nose, and is surprisingly gentle from start to finish. The bouquet is led by fresh tobacco leaf and leather, with a mixed berry bouquet. On the palate, the wine features a medium acidity, carrying what I'll describe as an "earth and blackberry" flavor profile. A very pleasant mouthfeel and lasting finish, make this accessibly priced bottle very much worth trying.

The Pairings - What to Eat

With each of today's bottles, think 'by the book' Malbec pairings. That means meaty entrees, red sauces, and almost anything spicy. Personally, my ideal pairing would be a steak board combining marinated Argentine beef with homemade tortillas and chimichurri.

On the other hand, I might also pair these bottles with one my favorite Provencal classics- sausage and potatoes tossed with sweet onions and cherry tomatoes.

Lamb, pork, steak, and fatty fish such as salmon and shark, are all great Malbec pairings, particularly with bottles such as today's, which are exemplars of the Malbec varietal. So, if you're grilling some shark steaks, or searing some thoroughly herbed beef, I can wholeheartedly recommend trying one of today's bottles to elevate the experience. Cheers!