This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous

Welcome to this week's Vinous Top Ten! Each week we compile a list of wines from the Vinous database that you need to add to your wine wish list. With all the various regions, producers, and grapes, no week will be the same! All of the wines listed in this feature are available for purchase on Banquet . This week's must-try wines are from Joaquín Hidalgo’s article, Argentina on the Couch: Malbec, Terroir and Other Trends . Enjoy an excerpt from this article and notes for this week's top ten below! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “In this extensive report, I take a look at the current state of the wine scene in Argentina, a country where creativity is necessary for survival. Malbecs have grown increasingly diverse and reflect the range of terroirs, while a number of new trends are developing. From Cabernet Franc to Pinot Noir, high altitude vineyards are lending real energy and quality to a host of different reds.” -- Joaquín Hidalgo’s, Argentina on the Couch: Malbec, Terroir and Other Trends, November 2021 1. 2018 Antigal Winery & Estates Malbec Uno 2. 2018 Bodega Weinert Malbec Carrascal 3. 2019 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 4. 2018 Clos De Los Siete 5. 2020 Nieto Senetiner Malbec 6. 2018 Pulenta Estate Gran Malbec 7. 2018 Pulenta Estate Gran Cabernet Franc 8. 2019 Vaglio Malbec Aggie 9. 2020 Viña Cobos Malbec Felino 10. 2018 Viña Las Perdices Malbec Las Perdices Reserva

Viña Las Perdices

Reserva Malbec 2018

Delectable Wine
8.9

From Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, the 2018 Malbec Las Perdices Reserva was aged for 12 months. Intense purple in color, the nose offers ripe plum with hints of white pepper and pencil box. On the palate, the sharp tannins one gets from Agrelo are anchored in a juicy freshness, bringing depth and presence. Taut at the back of the mouth, it will improve with a year in the bottle. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021)
— 3 years ago

Pulenta Estate

X Gran Malbec 2018

Delectable Wine
9.4

The 2018 Gran Malbec from Los Árboles, Uco Valley was aged for 12 months in 10% new French barrels. A dense purple in the glass, the nose offers notes of plum, violet, country herbs and sour cherry against a backdrop of sweet spices and other woody aromas. Indulgent initially, it’s juicy and fleshy in the mouth, gaining in freshness and fruity flavor as the channeled flow progresses. Long-lasting with a bold finish, fresh plum aromas linger at the back of the throat. A delicious wine. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021)
— 3 years ago

Bodega Weinert

Carrascal Mendoza Malbec Blend 2018

Delectable Wine
8.8

Weinert's 2018 Malbec Carrascal comes from Luján de Cuyo and was aged in casks for 18 months. Garnet red in the glass, the nose offers notes of plum with hints of white pepper and greenish qualities. In the mouth, it’s smooth and terse with the flow defined by the healthy freshness. The finish is sculpted by the work in the cask, which rounds out the greenness and acidity to create a smooth, fresh red. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021)
— 3 years ago

Antigal Winery & Estates

Uno Mendoza Malbec 2018

Delectable Wine
8.9

The 2018 Malbec Uno comes from the Uco Valley and spent 10 months in French and American oak. Purplish red in hue. The nose presents clear fruity notes including plum and blackberry alongside floral aromas. On the palate, it’s juicy and energetic with mild tannins. Its strength derives from a lick of alcohol that lights up the flavors. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021) — 3 years ago

Viña Cobos

Felino Mendoza Malbec 2020

Delectable Wine
9.0

From Mendoza, the 2020 Malbec Felino was aged for eight months in 10% new oak. Purple in the glass, the nose presents gentle notes of violet alongside intense fruity aromas such as fresh plum and cherry. Growing juicy in the mouth after a dry beginning, the flow is broad with a velvety texture from the aging process and refined tannins before the vivid, fruity finish. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021)
— 3 years ago

Pulenta Estate

XI Gran Cabernet Franc 2018

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2018 Gran Cabernet Franc from Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo was fermented in 20% new barrels and then aged in the same vessels for 12 months. A vivid garnet red, the aromas feature ash and herbs with hints of roasted red pepper over bold notes from the aging process and a whiff of redcurrant. Broad and terse with a delicate texture even at its most intense, the polished tannins and precise freshness keep the levels ratcheted up before the lengthy finish. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021)
— 3 years ago

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Bodega Catena Zapata

Argentino Mendoza Malbec 2019

Delectable Wine
9.5

The 2019 Malbec Argentino is a blend of grapes from venerable vineyards in Lunlunta and Paraje Altamira; it is essentially a premium Mendoza Malbec. A significant amount was fermented in whole bunches before spending 18 months in used French barrels. The complex nose presents notes of plum and blueberry with hints of country herb, jarilla and pennyroyal over a bed of sour cherry and cedar. There is a whiff of lavender perfume. The fine tannins act as a net that shapes rather than structures the volume. It has good energy and elasticity with grip, juicy freshness and a complex layer of fruit appearing at the back of the mouth. The 2019 is an accomplished wine in a year that allowed for nuance and freshness. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021)
— 3 years ago

Vaglio

Aggie Malbec 2019

Delectable Wine
9.0

The 2019 Malbec Aggie from Gualtallary, Uco Valley was aged in French barrels for up to 12 months. A vivid purple color, the nose presents herbs and red fruit such as thyme, black tea, potpourri and fresh plum followed by a layer of aromas from the aging process. Broad on the palate with fine tannins and a fruity flavor, it has an attractive liqueur-like quality that keeps things frisky while the finish is full of juice and fruit. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021)
— 3 years ago

Benjamin Nieto Senetiner

Mendoza Malbec 2020

Delectable Wine
8.8

The 2020 Malbec Nieto Senetiner spent six months in oak. Purple in color. The aromas include fresh plum and pure fruit flavors with hints of white pepper. Broad and juicy on the palate with a sugary beginning and gentle tannins, this is a wine to please everyone. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021)
— 3 years ago

Bodega DiamAndes

Clos de los Siete Malbec Blend 2018

Delectable Wine
9.1

The 2018 Clos De Los Siete combines grapes from a large property of the same name in Campo de los Andes, Uco Valley in a blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The assemblage here is made by Michel Rolland and his team, 70% of which is aged in up to 1/3 use French barrels. Dense, dark violet in color. The nose is complex in the Bordelais style, presenting aromas of plum, blackcurrant and blackberry with hints of blueberry, oak and herbs. The 2018 is free-flowing on the palate with good energy and volume. It's mild tannins still have enough energy to lend shape and intense flavor. An interesting, potent wine. Drink in two years. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2021)
— 3 years ago