In Argentina, what comes after Malbec?
“Better and better Malbecs. And that’s what we’re seeing today,” says the prominent English wine critic, who on Monday will release his Argentina 2017 report in London, in which he reviews the latest trends in local wine, and in which the top ten is clearly dominated by Argentina’s flagship grape variety.
Master of Wine, journalist for Imbibe and The World of Fine Wine, among other media, and one of the most solid and relevant wine influencers, Atkin toured different wine regions of the country earlier this year at the invitation of Wines of Argentina.
“The world loves Malbec and, with some very few exceptions, it’s what Argentina does best, whether in blends or varietals,” Atkin explains. What’s really exciting is that many of the top malbecs have a real sense of place. Just taste a selection of malbecs from Cafayate, San Rafael, Río Negro, Vistalba, Agrelo, Perdriel, La Consulta, Paraje Altamira, San Pablo, Chacayes, Vista Flores and Gualtallary. There are stylistic differences between producers, of course, but the differences related to soil, climate and altitude are becoming increasingly clear. Argentina is becoming more and more like Burgundy in its top wines, and less and less like Bordeaux or Napa Valley”.
Beyond Malbec, what are the trends that Argentine wine is going through?
“The biggest trends I see (and appreciate) are the reduction in the amount of new wood, earlier harvesting and a greater understanding of balance. He also noted the increasing number of blends, both reds and whites, the rebirth of semillon, the improvement in sparkling wines, and the development (and in some cases rediscovery) of new terroirs in places like Chapadmalal, Barreal, Altura Máxima and Uspallata. Argentines are pushing the boundaries of their wines, both geographically and metaphorically”.
Below is the top 100 included in Tim Atkin’s 2017 Argentina Report.
The report will be released on Monday, at the Argentine embassy in London, at an event that will include a tasting of the top 100 wines, attended by sommeliers, importers and journalists.
98 pts.
Teho Malbec Tomal Vineyard 2014 98 pts.
Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Malbec 2014 97 pts.
Achával Ferrer Finca Altamira Malbec 2014 97 pts.
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Appellation Gualtallary Piedras 2016 97 pts.
Catena Zapata White Bones Chardonnay 2014 97 pts.
Colomé Altura Máxima Malbec 2014 97 pts.
Mendel Finca Remota Malbec 2014 97 pts.
Noemía Malbec 2015 97 pts.
Trapiche Terroir Series Single Vineyard Malbec Finca Ambrosía 2013 97 pts.
Zuccardi Aluvional Gualtallary Malbec 2014 96 pts.
Achával Ferrer Finca Bella Vista Malbec 2014 96 pts.
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Appellation Altamira 2015 96 pts.
El Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2014 96 pts.
Zaha El Corte Toko Vineyard 2014 96 pts.
Zaha Malbec Toko Vineyard 2014 96 pts.
Catena Zapata Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec 2014 96 pts.
Catena Zapata Riverstones Vineyard Malbec 2014 96 pts.
Nicolás Catena Zapata 2013 96 pts.
Chacra Sin Azufre Pinot Noir 2016 96 pts. Cheval des Andes 2014 96 pts.
La Mascota Big Bat Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 96 pts.
PerSe Volare de Flor S/N 96 pts.
PerSe La Craie 2015 96 pts.
Piedra Negra Gran Lurton 2016 96 pts.
Puramun Chardonnay Reserva 2016 96 pts.
Pyros Special Blend 2013 96 pts.
Riglos Gran Malbec 2014 96 pts.
Rutini Antologia XLIV Merlot 2014 96 pts.
Salentein Single Vineyard Chardonnay Plot No. 2 2014 96 pts.
Tinto Negro 1955 Vineyard 2014 96 pts.
Tinto Negro Finca La Escuela Malbec 2014 96 pts.
Tinto Negro La Escuela Vineyard La Piedra Malbec 2014 96 pts.
Trapiche Terroir Series Single Vineyard Malbec Finca Coletto 2013 96 pts.
Trapiche Terroir Series Single Vineyard Malbec Finca Las Piedras 2013 96 pts.
Trapiche Terroir Series Single Vineyard Malbec Finca Orellana 2013 96 pts.
Uspallata Estate Malbec 2015 96 pts.
Zuccardi Aluvional Malbec Altamira 2014 96 pts.
Zuccardi Poligonos del Valle de Uco Cabernet Franc 2016 95 pts.
Alto 2014 95 pts.
Aniello Trousseau 2015 95 pts.
Blanchard and Lurton 2016 95 pts.
Gran Enemigo 2013 95 pts.
Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2013 95 pts.
Vistalba Corte A 2014 95 pts.
Vistalba Progenie I Extra Brut S/A 95 pts.
Bressia Conjuro 2013 95 pts.
Bressia Lágrima Canela 2016 95 pts.
Buscado Vivo o Muerto La Verdad 2014 95 pts.
Cadus Single Vineyard Viña Vida Malbec 2014 95 pts.
Caro 2014 95 pts.
Catena Zapata Fortuna Terrae Malbec 2014 95 pts.
Chacra Treinta y Dos Pinot Noir 2015 95 pts.
Ayni Malbec 2015 95 pts.
Colomé Auténtico Malbec 2015 95 pts.
Cuarto Dominio 2014 95 pts.
De Angeles Viña 1924 Single Vineyard Gran Corte 2014 95 pts.
De Angeles Viña 1924 Single Vineyard Gran Malbec 2014 95 pts.
Dominio del Plata White Blend 2016 95 pts.
Doña Paula Alluvia Parcel Bush Vines Malbec 2013 95 pts.
Doña Paula Los Indios Parcel Malbec 2013 95 pts.
El Esteco Old Vines 1945 Torrontés 2016 95 pts.
Laborum Single Vineyard Malbec Altos Los Cardones 2016 95 pts.
Fabre Montmayou Grand Vin 2014 95 pts.
Dedicated Chardonnay 2016 95 pts.
Antisynthesis Field Blend 2016 95 pts.
Finca Ferrer Block A1 Pinot Noir 2015 95 pts.
Saltimbanco Sauvignon Blanc 2015 95 pts.
Gran Mascota Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 95 pts.
La Mascota Unanimous 2014 95 pts.
Luca Malbec 2015 95 pts.
Luca Nico by Luca High G Lot Pinot Noir 2014 95 pts.
Lupa Malbec 2015 95 pts.
Matervini Antes Andes Malbec 2015 95 pts.
Mendel Semillon 2016 95 pts.
Noemía J Alberto Malbec 2015 95 pts. Norton Perdriel Vineyard Selection 2012 95 pts.
Norton Privada Malbec 2014 95 pts.
PerSe Iubileus Malbec 2015 95 pts.
Piedra Negra Chacayes 2014 95 pts.
Pulenta Estate Gran Cabernet Franc 2013 95 pts.
Pulenta Estate Gran Corte 2013 95 pts.
Pulenta Estate Single Vineyard Finca Don Antonio Malbec 2014 95 pts.
Pyros Single Vineyard Block 4 Malbec 2014 95 pts.
Riccitelli Wines Old Vines Semillon 2016 95 pts.
Riglos Gran Cabernet Franc 2015 95 pts.
Riglos Gran Corte 2014 95 pts.
Salentein Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Plot No. 1 2015 95 pts.
Super Uco 2013 95 pts.
Terrazas de los Andes Single Parcel Los Castaños Malbec 2012 95 pts.
Tinto Negro La Escuela Vineyard La Grava Malbec 2014 95 pts.
Trapiche Iscay 2012 95 pts.
Tres 14 Imperfecto 2014 95 pts.
Ver Sacrum Irreplicable Placebo 2013 95 pts.
Viña Cobos Chañares Vineyard Malbec 2014 95 pts.
Cavas de Weinert Gran Vino 2007 95 pts.
Emma Zuccardi Bonarda 2015 95 pts.
Zuccardi Fossil Chardonnay 2016 95 pts.
José Zuccardi 2013 95 pts.
Zuccardi Poligonos del Valle de Uco Malbec 2015 95 pts.
Tito Zuccardi 2015