Some new wines from Argentina show up!! Comments welcome.

There are a few new names here so if anyone cares to chip in, go ahead. Maybe Oswaldo or Alej will have an opinion?

`03 Meritage Benegas Lynch $41
`06 Juan Benegas Malbec $20.
`05 Altimus Torino $33.
`04 Joffre e Hijas Premium Malbec $37
`05 Lorca Poetico $32.

I know there are quite a few fans here so imput appreciated! Oh yeah, found these in Edmonton.

Sorry to disappoint but the only one of those I've seen around here is the Joffré & Hijas, but never tried it. I've tried the Joffré & Hijas chardonnay and found it substantial and well-made, though perhaps a touch too professional (whatever that means!).

Thanks for the comment Oswaldo. Guess will have to do a lot more research my end/get in touch with the reps.

I got introduced to Benegas about 2 years ago. I thought they were great QPR. The Lynch Meritage I tasted was 2002. It was outstanding. I felt that it was as good as most any of the $60+ from California.

Altimus is the 'icon wine' from Michel Torino up in Cafayate in the Salta province. The website doesn't give much info on the wine, but I suspect it is either pure Malbec or Malbec-dominated. The wines from this winery have been improving greatly in the last few years, though I haven't tasted this wine. I believe they are now owned by the vast Peñaflor group who also own Trapiche. As Trapiche have an excellent winemaking team headed by Daniel Pi, I would have thought this wine should be excellent and relatively good value too.

The Benegas Lynch Meritage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot made from fruit sourced from the Libertad Vineyard - located in the Upper Mendoza Riverbank. This wine is one of my favorite non-Malbec inclusive blends made in Argentina..... it includes a super old vine Cabernet Franc (almost 90 years average age) that is truly unique.

The Juan Benegas Malbec is the entry level malbec made by the house of Benegas, I find it to deliver solid typicity and very good value in its category - and also note its not one of those "heavy fireworks" malbecs that seem to be dime a dozen recently.

I got introduced to Benegas about 2 years ago. I thought they were great QPR. The Lynch Meritage I tasted was 2002. It was outstanding. I felt that it was as good as most any of the $60+ from California.

Michael-- since you like the Benegas style, I suggest you try to seek out and taste the 100% Cabernet Franc made under the Benegas Lynch line... the wine is sourced from super old Cab Franc vines that are ungrafted rootstock, etc. Very unique wine IMO.

Alej wrote.........The Juan Benegas Malbec is the entry level malbec made by the house of Benegas, I find it to deliver solid typicity and very good value in its category - and also note its not one of those "heavy fireworks" malbecs that seem to be dime a dozen recently.

Sounds like a malbec many here would enjoy. Thanks.

Another example of the unique Benegas style is the Syrah made by this producer.... its not an Australian wanna-be fruit bomb Shiraz... rather a more austere, dry and complex type of Syrah... a refreshing change in pace and style for a South American producer when it comes to Syrah. The label to look out for is Benegas Syrah.