Argentine Wines

I had my first taste of Argentine wine (that I recall anyway) last night, and it was delicious!!!

I dont have too much information, but it was called "Lo Tengo" Malbec 2002.
It's a Bodega Norton wine
The bottle only cost me $10, and I hear it's pretty popular in the UK.

Anyone ever tried this?

Yes it is a very nice wine. Try more. Malbec, for all practical reasons, is the national wine of Argentina. They do make some nice inexpensive Cabs too.

Yes Norton have a decent name for offering good value (especially with their Malbecs).

It was good enough to buy a couple bottles for the rack.

Any suggestions for other Malbec's out there?

Steven, stay tuned as there is a Malbec Open Mike coming up on this forum in a few days.

There have been various posts on Malbec, best to click on "search" and select "argentina malbec".

Steven, I am not trying to alarm you, but I would not hold the Lo Tengo more than a year. They have ceratainly put more $$ into the bottle than into the wine.

Bob I agree with you that the Lo Tengo is not a long term holder. Having said that, I also think that you could take a little longer than 1 year to consume a small stock, if you chose to do so. Of course, it will gain nothing from additional cellaring.

Any suggestions for other Malbec's out there?

Hi Steve. Have you tried any of the Catena wines...? In a similar price range, I suggest you consider the Alamos line. Apart from a Malbec, they also make a Cabernet.

I would also suggest you look out for blends.... A winery by the name of Benegas has a great QPR blend named Don Tiburcio which is very good.

Once you get comfortable with the entry-level stuff, there are far better wines in other price segments that are real treats.

Bob I agree with you that the Lo Tengo is not a long term holder. Having said that, I also think that you could take a little longer than 1 year to consume a small stock, if you chose to do so. Of course, it will gain nothing from additional cellaring.

Thanks for the agreement Alejandro. I would agree about the wine holding for a little longer, than a year. I suppose I was erring on the side of being safe, and if there is nothing to be gained by going longer, my MO is to drink up as next year may be better.

[quote="Alejandro Audisio"]

Have you tried any of the Catena wines...? In a similar price range, I suggest you consider the Alamos line. Apart from a Malbec, they also make a Cabernet.
quote]

Does anyone make better Malbec than Catena Zapata? I've tasted hundreds of Argentine Malbecs and they've got to be the best year in and out. I've also enjoyed the Bonarda and Viognier from Alamos.


Bill

Bill, I may be completely wrong about this, but isn't the Catena Zapata a wine that is predominantly cabernet sauvignon based, with varying amounts of malbec each vintage. I have had, and enjoyed the Catena Alta malbec (Lunlunta vineyard) many times. This malbec sells locally in the $50 range, and I believe the Zapata wine is above $75. That is getting to a price altitude that I don't often go. Good stuff though!

Catena Zapata is the producer, they have multiple lines of wines that include various straight varietals and also blends.

Below a list of some of the labels of the Catena Zapata winery:

Catena
Catena Alta
Catena Zapata
Alamos
Uxmal
Argento