Erik Neilson on March 28, 2017 0 Comments Some of the most loved wines in the world are not 100% varietals, but blends of numerous grapes. Take Burgundy or Rioja, for example, both of which are prized by collectors to a huge extent and can often fetch quite a bit of money per bottle. Bordeaux finds itself on this list as well, and some Bordeaux can be impossibly expensive. This leads many people to believe that such winds simply aren’t for them, which is a true shame. If you’re looking for value and similar flavor profiles to what comes out of Bordeaux, however, the answer may be to look towards Argentina. While there’s no doubt that it flies far below the radar, some of the best Bordeaux-style wine is actually being made not in France, but in Argentina. These blends are very close to what those who have come to love the French product would expect, yet the price points fall far lower than what is typically expected for wines of this quality. Looking to get acquainted with these high-value reds? Here are some of our favorite bottles to try. 1. Casa Bianchi Enzo Bianchi 2012 There are some reds that can only be described best with words like “sumptuous,” and Casa Bianchi Enzo Bianchi is such a wine. The 2012 vintage shines with delicate, elegant balance, showing notes of wet earth, moss and burnt cedar. This blend is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon, which is perhaps why the berry, spice and coffee notes that frame the finish come through so beautifully. Flashes of plums and toasted herbs come through, and the grippy texture of the wine makes it a perfect candidate for aging. At around $55/bottle, Casa Bianchi Enzo Bianchi 2012 represents an excellent value, and there’s no doubt that this bottle would cost quite a bit more if it were to come out of France. 2. Tapiz Las Notas De Jean Claude 2012 As seen by the quality inherent in Casa Bianchi Enzo Bianchi, 2012 was certainly a good year for wine in Argentina. This can be affirmed through a single taste of Tapiz Las Notas De Jean Claude 2012, which is truly one of Argentina’s best Bordeaux-style blends. This is a complex, earthy and refined red, and one that features an endlessly long finish of cassis and deep red berries. Its ripe tannins make it the perfect pairing for rich stews or gamey meats, not to mention mature cheeses. The wine is mostly Merlot (93%), rounded off by Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot before being aged in new French oak barrels for a period of 18 months. A joy to drink, perhaps the best aspect of Tapiz Las Notas De Jean Claude 2012 is that it only retails for approximately $25/bottle. 3. Michel Torino Altimus 2010 For those in the know, Michel Torino’s name is infamous. The quality of Torino’s wines is second to none, and the emphasis placed on organic treatment of the vines is something that should not go overlooked. While many of Torino’s wines are stellar enough to shock even the most prudent of wine lovers, Altimus is the Bordeaux-style blend to fall in love with, and the 2010 vintage is especially worth seeking out. Primarily a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec offset by Bonarda, Tannat and Syrah, Altimus features huge notes of chocolate covered cherries, spicy anise and raisin. The Cabernet lends the wine a spicy finish, with velvety tannins and just the right amount of acidity. Drink now, or age for the next 10-20 years. 4. Bressia Conjuro Tinto 2010 Another wine from 2010, Bressia Conjuro Tinto is certainly more expensive than many bottles on this list at around $80. The added cost brings with it a wealth of flavor and aroma, as this wine simply jumps out of whatever glass it’s poured into. Up front, there’s a great deal of black cherry and charcoal, with currant-like flavors and a decided smokiness that comes as a result of aging in oak. Essentially a Malbec, Bressia Conjuro Tinto is done in the Bordeaux style and brings a perfect balance of acid and tannins, the latter of which are soft and supple rather than being rigid and defined. If elegance is what you look for in Bordeaux, this is the Argentinian blend for you. 5. Mendel Unus Red 2013 The wines of Mendoza are very much worth paying close attention to, especially when you consider how many excellent values come out of this region. For just $50, you can get your hands on a bottle of Mendel Unus Red, the 2013 vintage of which is one of Argentina’s most incredible wines to date. There’s a ton of raisin flavor in this wine, framed nicely by blackberry and hints of cassis. It’s a dense wine, no doubt, but one that feels naked and raw on the palate. The residual fruit comes through nicely, pairing with flavors of vanilla and black pepper before transitioning into an incredible finish. Mendel Unus Red 2013 is an excellent value, and while it’s currently drinking wonderfully, you can expect this to age gracefully through 2025. 6. Bodegas Caro Amancaya Reserve Red Blend 2013 Every once in awhile, a red blend comes along that is more than just everyday fare — one that changes the way many people think of wines produced in a specific region. This can be said about Bodegas Caro Amancaya Reserve Red Blend, which is a marriage of quality and value that isn’t always easy to stumble upon. The 2013 vintage of Bodegas Caro Amancaya Reserve Red Blend is a Malbec-Cabernet blend that brings so much to the table, it’s baffling. Juicy blackberries meld with dusty black currants and dark chocolate, all framed by an oaky tannic structure that never feels as if it gets in the way. There’s no better time than now to open this, but if you feel like holding onto it, the blend will age nicely for a decade at the very least. If you’re in the mood for Bordeaux but don’t feel like emptying your bank account, you don’t have to put the decanter away. Go with an Argentinian blend, and you’ll never look back.
