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ARGENTINE MALBEC

ARGENTINA'S SIGNATURE GRAPE UPS THE ANTE WITH TERROIR-DRIVEN EXAMPLES

Form he overarching goal of Argentinian vintners over the past decade has been to transmit a sense of place in their wines, particularly when it comes to their flagship varietal, Malbec. In recent years, winemakers have gained confidence in their terroirs as well as their winemaking abilities, shifting toward fresher, less oaky styles that focus on the essence of the Malbec grape. The resulting wines are more vibrant, with excellent fruit concentration and smooth tannins. Who doesn’t like that?

What’s more, producers are able to capture the essence of Malbec even when making broad regional blends, while sub-regional expressions further highlight the uniqueness of specific provinces. As a result, there are terrific examples at every price point. Although many of the top wines carry hefty price tags, more than 60% of the wines we reviewed last year clocked in at less than 40, nearly a third of them scoring 90 points or higher.

At the center of the action is Mendoza, which accounts for 75% of the country’s wine production. This broad region is divided into numerous sub-regions, including two main areas: Primera Zona, which surrounds the city of Mendoza, and Uco Valley, approximately 50 miles south of the city. Each of these can be further broken down into smaller districts that showcase myriad styles depending on a range of soils, exposures and elevations. Bottlings from Primera Zona tend to be plush, with smooth tannins and less acidity than those from Uco Valley, where cooler temperatures and limestone outcroppings yield energetic versions with lots of natural acidity and