Tasting note
Colour - Deep blackish ruby.

Aroma - Intense bouquet of powerful dark fruits and spice.

Taste - Smooth with hints of chocolate and ripe red fruits then a long, powerful, oaky finish.

	Type:Still Red Wine		Country:Argentina		Appellation:Famatina Valley
	Grape Type:Malbec		Drink Before:End of 2012		Body:Rich and Flavoursome
	Alcohol:14%		Bottle Size:75cl		Bottle Code:60341

Description
"Argentinian Malbec is the best in the world - powerfully smooth, deeply fruited wines full of spice and character" (The Independent on Sunday.)

Malbec originated from southwest France - Bordeaux and Cahors in particular - where it has a reputation for particularly dark, tannic wines. However, in Argentina's warmer climate it ripens to perfection, losing most of its hard edge, but none of its dark blueberry and violet-scented, spicy character. It has now been firmly adopted as Argentina's flagship red grape.

This silky red is from La Riojana in Gold-Rush Chilecito in the Famatina Valley, a region northwest of the better known Mendoza and San Juan. Its vineyards are planted at altitudes between 800 and 1400 metres, which ensure a long, slow ripening and good health of the grapes. Indeed many are organic, albeit without a certificate, partly because the growers simply can't afford the luxury of any pest-preventing sprays!

Padrino de Anguinan is a Private Reserve red from the little village of Anguinan, the wine an unofficial fairtrade project, which has specifically benefitted local projects. The wine comprises pure premium Malbec grapes, aged in cask for six months to give a real superior edge of dark smoky spice to the dense fruit.

International Wine Challenge 2008, United Kingdom