James Suckling – A medium-bodied red with firm tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Really intense and flavorful. Lovely balance and finesse. One of the best deals out there.
James Suckling – 98 Points - "Perfumed and seductive nose of purple plums, blueberries,
dried roses, violets, lemon zest, chocolate, truffles and cigar
box. It’s full-bodied, yet so elegant and weightless. Seamless,
finely knit tannins. Beautiful, lengthy finish." James Suckling
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The excellent and floral 2019 Catena Malbec shows the
typicity of the grape, violets and red berries, and the
freshness of the year. It has the textbook aromas and a
soft and velvety mouthfeel, with very fine grainy tannins. Drink 2021-2024 (Luis Gutiérrez)
James Suckling – "So bright and aromatic with flowers and blackberries, as well as some black olives. Full-bodied with lots of tannins, yet they are so fine and integrated and spread across the palate. This is all whole-cluster fermentation and 18 months in large oak casks." (James Suckling)
Wine Enthusiast – A rich, fruity and structured wine, this is full of black currant fruits. Its rich tannins are fully blended into the wine's intense fruitiness. Just the touch of minerality is a reminder that it is still aging.
Decanter – One of the most exciting wines of the September Releases, and one that captures the progress and interest around terroir in the Argentinian wine scene right now. This is set at 1,500m elevation, on limestone dominant soils, and it immediately sets itself apart by its soaring aromatics that give nuance and depth, with seductively curling peony and raspberry leaf. Powerful and full of character, somehow translates the idea of minerality that is so argued over in wine - here you feel it in the slightly chalky tannins, the pulses of electricity, and dried herb and fennel studding to the fresh raspberry and red cherry fruits. So good. Ungrafted vines, Fernando Buscema winemaker." 100 points, Jane Anson
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – "The sleek and elegant 2019 Adrianna Vineyard Mundus Bacillus Terrae is now certified organic (since 2018) and comes from vines planted in 1992 at 1,390 meters above sea level in Gualtallary on alluvial limestone soils. Seventy-five percent of the volume fermented in concrete vats with 50% full clusters, and the remaining 25% fermented in oak foudres. But instead of fermenting the grapes, they only fermented the juice (like it's usually done for white wines), to give the wine more elegance and lightness. I was listening to a record from a new band, Generation Radio, with musicians from Journey and Chicago, and the music had a similar profile to the wine: sleek, elegant, polished, nicely crafted, clean and harmonious, easy to listen to (and drink) with a soft side to it. The wine has ripeness (14% alcohol) but also the high acidity from the high-altitude vineyards that makes it very lively, beautifully textured, balanced and elegant. Beautiful. 5,400 bottles were filled in November 2020." 98 points, Luis Gutiérrez - Wine Advocate
Wine Enthusiast – Organically grown grapes go into this very fine wine. Its structure and balance confirm that it's still young, bursting with juicy ripe berry fruit and with firm background tannins. Its great fruitiness is contrasted with the strength of those tannins and with its concentration. Drink from 2020.
Originating in the Bordeaux region of France, Malbec found its most celebrated expression in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina. Its adaptability and resilience to the new environment have made it a flagship variety for Argentina, overshadowing its origins to some extent.
The unique climate and altitude variations in regions like Mendoza have contributed to the grape's distinct character. Here, cool nights follow sun-drenched days, allowing Malbec to develop deep flavors while retaining a balancing acidity. Its profile typically boasts of lush dark fruits like blackberries and plums, often complemented by subtle undertones of violet and earthy notes.
The evolution of Malbec over the centuries, from its French beginnings to its Argentine mastery, narrates a fascinating story of migration, adaptation, and resurgence. Today, it stands as a testament to how terroir can reshape and redefine the identity of a grape, offering wine lovers a sip of history with every glass.
Malbec is a purple grape variety originating from France, specifically the Bordeaux region, but has found its most celebrated expressions in Argentina, especially in the Mendoza region. Once used primarily as a blending grape in Bordeaux, Malbec has come into its own as a single varietal in South America. This full-bodied red wine is recognized for its deep color and intense fruity flavors. With its velvety texture and hints of plum, black cherry, and sometimes even cocoa, Malbec offers a robust experience for red wine enthusiasts. Its transformation from a blending footnote in France to a starring role in Argentinean viniculture showcases its versatility and adaptability.
While Malbec's roots trace back to France, Argentina's Mendoza region has become synonymous with top-tier Malbec wines. Labels like Catena Zapata, Bodega Norton, and Achaval-Ferrer have consistently received international acclaim. In Cahors, France, where Malbec is locally known as "Côt", Château du Cèdre and Château Lagrézette are notable producers. These wines range from value-driven everyday bottles to luxurious high-end options, reflecting Malbec's widespread appeal and adaptability.
Though predominantly known as a red wine, Malbec's versatility allows it to be expressed in various styles. The traditional Argentine Malbec offers bold, fruit-forward flavors, while French Malbec from Cahors often leans towards more tannic and astringent profiles. There's also Malbec Rosé, a lighter, fruitier variant perfect for summer sipping. Some winemakers have ventured into sparkling Malbec, a bubbly twist on this beloved grape, proving that Malbec's expressions are as varied as the regions cultivating it.
Malbec, with its rich and robust profile, pairs beautifully with hearty dishes. Grilled or roasted meats, particularly beef or lamb, complement Malbec's bold flavors. This synergy is evident in traditional Argentinean barbecues where Malbec and grilled steaks are a classic pairing. For vegetarians, dishes with robust flavors like grilled mushrooms, lentil stews, or eggplant Parmesan can mirror Malbec's intensity. Cheeses, especially blue cheese, aged cheddar, or gouda, also make for delightful companions. Whether it's a casual meal or a gourmet feast, Malbec effortlessly enhances the dining experience.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.