The Food Buster

Andeluna Pasionado 2004
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec (highest proportion), Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Unavailable online, but the 2003 is going for $35-$43 on Wine-searcher (2 vendors)
Keeper
Lovely color—a dark ruby-violet, verging on black. Legs aren’t very defined.
Aroma of soil, olives, flowers, and herbs. Very strong. Quite refreshing and fragrant.
Not as much body as I’d like, but it has a lovely [...]

Benegas Lynch Meritage 2002
50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot
$43 on Wine-searcher.
Keeper
This is quite an interesting wine, not only because it is a blend that utilizes a large amount of Cabernet Franc, which is a grape that is very uncommonly produced in Argentina, but it also utilizes no Malbec. For a [...]

Urraca Primera 2005
36% Malbec, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot
$22-$25 on Wine-searcher (2 Vendors)
Keeper
Color is gorgeous—jet black, with violet tints. Purpling intensely.
Fruity, floral, tropical aroma. Very nice, like fresh peaches, oak, and cinnamon.
Nice complexity. Wine has a bold spiciness to it. In addition, there are hints of plums, smoke, blackberries, and especially tobacco [...]

Bodega Poesía “Poesía” 2005
60% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
$60-$61 on Wine-searcher.
This is one of the legendary “icon” wines in Argentina, and it does impress.
It has a fantastic, dark color, with reddish, violet tints.
The aroma, too, is fantastic. Sweet fruitiness comes through very well, particularly with the smell of dried fruit or plums.
The wine itself is very [...]

Qaramy Alto 2005
60% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah
Unavailable on Wine-searcher, but sells for $45 from the Vines of Mendoza.
Rather mature—purpling nicely. Blackish ruby color. Darker than most mature Malbecs/Malbec blends.
Floral, soft, frosty, aroma. Red cherries especially come through.
Soft, smooth, and very spicy flavor, but very bland. Good body. Long and bitter. There are subtle [...]

Las Perdices “Tinamú” Red 2005
60% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Tannat
Unavailable on Wine-searcher. $70 on Wine-searcher for the 2006 (1 Vendor).
According to the World Ranking Wines and Spirits, the highest rated wine of any in Argentina. It has received a perfect score twice.
Mega Keeper!
This is quite a special wine and, given its [...]

O’Fournier A Crux (Blend) 2002
60% Tempranillo, 35% Malbec, 5% Merlot
$30 on Wine-searcher, with just 1 vendor (which is about what a bottle costs in Argentina).
Keeper
This wine is typically the highest of O’Fournier’s line, barring an ultra premium that is only produced once every few years.
It has a gorgeous, dark, muddy, ruby color. Violets and reds throughout. Amazing [...]

[provided by and posted with permission of O'Fournier]

O’Fournier B Crux 2003
60% Tempranillo, 20% Malbec, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah
Unavailable on Wine-searcher, but it costs about $20 in Argentina. $20-$25 on Wine-searcher for the 2005, and $23-$24 for the 2004.
Keeper, especially for value.
Nice color, great tints. Many reds, with a tad of orange. Especially nice for a [...]