WTN: Argentina at Nugget Market

Tasting given by an actual living Argentine!

Barricas Malbec and Cabernet Sauvigon 2004. Artsy, primal color new label.

6.95. Delicious! The Malbec was red fruit, rustic, NO OAK! Solid ***.
The Cab was amazing for the price point. It may have been one of the best under $10 Cabs I have ever tasted. Definitely a cooler climate cab character. No bell pepper, but def. a herbal undertone, with some fuzzy but integrated tannins. A definite black fruit character. Solid ***

$21. Carlos Pulenta "Vistalba Corte B" 2003 Cab, Malbec, Bonarda, Merlot. A deep, rich, black fruit character with nice savory and earthy notes. There is definitely some oak used in this wine-some would dismiss this one as spoofified and too international, but as much of an oakaphobe as I can be, this oak was actually nicely integrated. It adds to the flavor, not dominates it. If anything, the vanilla sneaks in at the end a bit, not the front of the palette. Very, very nice ****

Thanks. Who imports this into the USA?

-Paul W.

According to the bottle sitting on my desk, Vistalba is imported by Gaucho Imports LLC, American Canyon, CA.

Haven't bought the Barrica yet (although-that darn can was amaziung for $6.95, so I probably will). I wouldn't be surprised if the same importer represents them.

International Brian?!! Wait for the emails.

LOL. Well...I thought I had read wines being dismissed as "international" in style...so I'll aceept my lashings with a wet American oak stave.

Brian, since you liked the Vistalba Corte B, I suggest you try their flagship label, its the Corte A. Its in a different price league, alas its also a very different wine.

Thanks! Why the "Alas" though?

The "B" definitely had some oak in it, but I still found it very balanced and enjoyable. Does the "A" have too much oak?

Brian, in my opinion the Corte A does a very good job at balancing that additional amount of Oak thats involved in making a bigger, more structured wine. I think the 2004 vintage still needs a little more time to show its best, perhaps another 8-12 months in the cellar.