This week, Jancis Robinson suggested two Argentine wines in her column in the Financial Times, in a list of the best 25 wines at £10-£30. The 2010 Lunta Malbec of Mendel Wines and 2010 Catena Malbec are the only locals on the list in which 2009 red Bordeaux and 2010 northern Rhônes stand out.
“Note that European examples can be cheaper than New World ones, just as independents are not necessarily more expensive than the supermarkets,” points out Robinson in her article; this is a problem Argentine wines have been facing in this last year.
“Not just Waitrose but larger Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores should stock some reasonably superior wines.” Robinson suggests winesearcher.com to find these premium wines and others at lower and higher prices.
The chosen ones
Mendel, Lunta Malbec 2010 Mendoza
From Lunlunta vines planted in 1928! Big, glamorous and very well judged. Pure hedonism without too much alcohol. Some minerality.
£12.99 (Jancis recommends buying 2 bottles at £9.99 each), Majestic
Catena Malbec 2010 Mendoza
Such sophistication and class! Such a contrast to more souped-up examples. Lovely fluidity and freshness. Fully ripe, glossy fruit but not artificially sweet, nor aggressively potent. I know I have already recommended other vintages of this wine in the past but quality just cannot be ignored. 13.9%. £12.49 269 Waitrose stores and www.waitrosewine.com, £12.99 Majestic
Tags: Catena Zapata, Financial Times, Jancis Robinson, Mendel Wines
