Tasting Notes : I have been looking for a spectacular Malbec at a reasonable price all summer and I have finally found one. The sub-appellation of Valle del Uco in Mendoza is turning out possibly the best Malbec in Argentina. Its the closest to the Andes mountain range. It’s the highest in elevation, roughly 4,000ft above sea level; compared to 3,000 or lower in other parts of Mendoza. It’s were the fruit show extraordinary elegance followed by great natural acidity. Only 700 cases of this current vintage are available. Every bunch is de-stemmed. After alcoholic fermentation, 50% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation in barrels, the remaining 50% goes to stainless steel tank. The wine is then blended in stainless steel tank; 25 % of the wine undergoes 10 months of new French oak. Minimal fining and filtration. The wine was made at Finca Abril who's vines date back to 1922. Special barrels were selected to make this wine.

As what is clearly one of our best finds all year, the only thing little about this sexy Malbec is its price tag. Made by the ultra-talents at Finca Abril in Mendoza, their ultimate wisdom lead them to vinify this wine in a combination of stainless steel (for freshness) and barrel (for richness) for 10 months.

Tasting Notes: Culminating in a wine with medium-plus body and exacting purity of flavors, the Alhambra offers up clean, juicy raspberry, kisrsch and plum notes with soft tannins and sneaky-long palate presence. A delicious wine to enjoy now for barbeques and entertaining and a truly outstanding value that can't be beat!