September Releases

Caro is the Argentina project for the Rothschilds of Chateau Lafite, along with the pioneering Catena family. The nose is complex with aromas of red fruits, figs, and gentle notes of blue berries. On the palate the wine is round with soft tannins and refreshing acidity, displaying good density and persistence, well balanced. 2021 is the coolest vintage Mendoza has seen in years, and the result is one of the freshest, most vibrant Malbec blends we've tried.

Nicolas Catena is the celebrated pioneer of winemaking in Argentina, and this celebrated flagship wine has all the hallmarks of a great Argentinian red. This year it is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 21% Malbec. It's the first time ever that Franc is greater than Malbec, to compensate the warm and dry conditions. With pure blue and black fruit, layers of spice, lifted floral notes and subtle earthy notes, it's bright and aromatic, showing a deft balance of cool, chalky influence and vibrant fruit.

The Adrianna Vineyard is considered the Grand Cru site of South America, high in the Andes with soils full of limestone and gravel. This wine shows that combination of cool conditions and masses of intense sunshine, and in the warmth of 2020 is on the richer side. There's plenty of black plum, damson and blueberry fruit, with chalky layers, fresh mint, and vanilla spice. They achieved only tiny yields this year, and only 5,700 bottles were made.

Cheval des Andes is an exceptional blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira in Mendoza. There's lots of violet, blackberry and plum here, with lifted minty, floral limestone character. There's a boldness to the fruit in this warmer year and a round feel to the tannins, before leaving a fresh, energetic finish.

One of the flagship wines from the Zuccardi family estate. In recent years, Sebastien and his family have made the conscious decision to reduce oak use in all their wines, embracing concrete and its textural influence. They even constructed their entire new winery from concrete. Finca Canal Uco is all about texture and lifted Malbec characters. In the warmer 2020 vintage it manages to achieve fantastic balance of aromatic, pastille black fruit, with blueberry and violets. It has amazing purity, concentration and stony freshness. A textbook and exceptional example of contemporary Malbec from Argentina's altitude vineyards.