French Wine Regions
History of French WineFrance’s history with wine dates back to the 6th century BC, when the city-state of Massalia (modern-day Marseille) began trading wines with other Mediterranean cultures. However, viticulturally speaking, …
Malbec
Santa Julia 2017 “Magna” Red, Uco Valley
José Zuccardi’s is the director of Argentina’s Familia Zuccardi winery. We’ve reviewed their wines in the past. In the 1990s, he developed a new brand, Santa Julia, which was named after his only …
Catena Zapata 2014 “La Consulta” Malbec, Maipu
The uber-popular style of Malbec –oozing with milk chocolate softness– is just a single iteration of this grape’s possibilities. This bottle will elevate your expectations. Aromas of fresh basil and earl …
Valentin Bianchi 2014 “Famiglia Bianchi” Malbec, Mendoza
Valentin Bianchi is an old-school Argentinian winery that was founded in the 1920s. It’s one of the brands you see everywhere in Buenos Aires but rarely outside the country.This is a …
Manos Negras 2011 “Stone Soil Select” Malbec Reserve, Patagonia
Wineries in Argentina are like the rock band The Yardbirds: the side projects are becoming more famous than the original band. Ever heard of the Yardbirds? No? Ever hear of Eric Clapton, …
Familia Zuccardi 2013 “Q” Malbec, Mendoza
Zuccardi is a rock-solid winery in Argentina. This wine has been evolving vintage by vintage. I love how Zuccardi is pulling away from the “Melted Chocolate and Licorice” profile that has …
Puramun 2012 “Reserva” Malbec, Valle de Uco
Puramun is a new project by Jose Galante, one of the finest winemakers in Argentina. He was the man behind Catena Zapata from the 1970s until a few years ago. Sourced …
Altocedro 2012 Malbec Reserva
A bold, full-bodied wine with lots of complexity. Aromas of smoky oak, vanilla, cola, black cherry, and spice. The palate pushes into mocha and cinnamon territory with a draping of dark …
Bodega Goulart 2010 “The Marshall” Malbec
This wine is a bit of Argentine history. Gastao Goulart originally planted the Bodega Goulart vineyard in 1915 to Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. At the time, he was a Brazilian political …
Clos de los Siete 2009, Mendoza (Argentina)
Clos de Los Siete is a spectacle at the edge of the world. It consists of five great chateaus on the edge of Argentina, close to the Andes Mountains. Each of …
Veramonte 2009 “Primus” Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Valley
Veramonte is a large winery in Chile’s Casablanca Valley, clocking in at just under 500 hectares. Since its founding, it’s been a US-centric winery, with over 80% of its wines bought …
Mendoza Vineyards 2011 “1907” Malbec, Mendoza
Sometimes writing up a wine adds more questions than it answers. First of all, who is the winery? Mendoza Vineyards is the winery on record, but they are a logistics and …
Durigutti 2010 Cabernet Franc Reserva, Mendoza
I am thrilled to see a bottle of Cabernet Franc coming out of Argentina. This grape varietal is grown in limited quantities in South America, and it’s mostly used in blends. …
Bodega Benegas 2009 Don Tiburcio, Mendoza
The Benegas is the founding family of the wine trade in Argentina. Tiburcio Benegas founded the Trapiche winery in the late 19th century. By the 1970s, the family had sold off all their …
Reginato 2011 Chaman
In Argentina, a chaman is a witch doctor. Is this a witchy wine? I am not sure, but it is a fine wine and a surprising departure for the Reginato clan. …
Calamaco 2010 Reserva Malbec
At first, very quiet, the flavors expand like a peacock. It is increasingly fun and rich. It brings eucalyptus and mocha first, then crushed blackberries with a wave of soft round …