Se existe uma busca interminável para qualquer enófilo e, principalmente, para o consumidor eventual de vinhos, é a busca por vinhos de ótima relação preço x qualidade, o famoso "custo x benefício".
Para contribuir com essa "caçada" aos rótulos que aliam com maestria esses quesitos, conheça os 20 melhores vinhos argentinos segundo avaliação da revista americana Wine Spectator, e que estão chegando nas prateleiras das lojas.
São vinhos com 90 pontos ou mais e cujo custo máximo não ultrapassa os US$25 (no mercado americano, claro). Traduzindo esses valores para a realidade brasileira, multiplique o valor em dólares por 4, ou seja, um teto máximo de R$100 por garrafa.
1. ACHÁVAL-FERRER Malbec Mendoza 2011
Score: 92 points Price: $25.00
Very pure, with a beam of raspberry coulis, blackberry and cherry pulp notes that pump out layers of spice, flint and wildflowers. Juicy yet structured, with a mineral edge to the long, savory finish. Drink now through 2015. 13,000 cases imported.
2. ANGULO INNOCENTI Malbec La Consulta 2011
Score: 91 points Price: $20.00
Inky yet superfresh, with floral and spice accents to the chewy plum skin, raspberry and blueberry coulis fruit. Drink now through 2016. 1,500 cases imported.
3. BODEGA NOEMÍA DE PATAGONIA A Lisa Río Negro Valley 2011
Score: 91 points Price: $21.00
A racy red, with an earthy undertow to fresh crushed raspberry, boysenberry and currant fruit that remains light on its feet, with a long, floral finish. Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2016. 2,000 cases made.
4. BODEGA NORTON Privada Mendoza 2009
Score: 91 points Price: $23.00
This dark red really opens up in the glass, with dense notes of blueberry paste, kirsch and spicy plum. There's grip, but it's all fruit, spice and light mocha notes on the finish. Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2014. 6,000 cases imported.
5. BODEGA NORTON Privada Mendoza 2010
Score: 91 points Price: $23.00
A dense, smoky red, showing a creamy edge to the spicy kirsch, plum sauce and grilled fig notes that mingle with hints of baking spice and medium tannins. Fine length. Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. 6,500 cases imported.
6. ACHÁVAL-FERRER Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2011
Score: 91 points Price: $25.00
This racy, supple Cabernet boasts a pure core of raspberry, cassis and black cherry coulis notes fortified by bright acidity and a firm, minerally backbone. Long, offering fine tannins and an aftertaste of crushed berries and graphite. Drink now through 2016. 1,150 cases imported.
7. BODEGAS TAHUAN Malbec Mendoza Siesta 2010
Score: 91 points Price: $25.00
Ripe, bordering on jammy, with layers of cassis, blackberry compote and plum sauce mingling with medium tannins and hints of spice, cedar and smoke on the long finish. Drink now through 2018. 1,150 cases imported.
8. TRIVENTO Amado Sur Red Mendoza 2010
Score: 90 points Price: $15.00
This floral red exhibits juicy blackberry, raspberry and plum notes supported by medium tannins. The grippy finish unfolds with hints of mulled spice and licorice. Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah. Drink now. 35,000 cases made.
9. BODEGA DEL DESIERTO Cabernet Franc Alto Valle del Rio Colorado 25/5 2009
Score: 90 points Price: $16.00
Ripe yet cut, displaying a range of graphite, olive and spice notes to the polished crushed cherry and cassis fruit. Well-focused, with a long, minerally aftertaste. Drink now through 2014. 2,466 cases made.
10. BODEGAS TAHUAN Malbec Mendoza 2011
Score: 90 points Price: $16.00
A dense red, with terrific depth to the jammy blackberry, plum skin and fig paste notes, tightly woven with fine tannins and layers of mesquite, cocoa and spice. Drink now through 2017. 5,500 cases imported.
11. ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS Malbec Uco Valley Terroir 2010
Score: 90 points Price: $18.00
A dark red, with bright acidity supporting juicy blackberry, currant and blueberry notes that pick up hints of wild flowers, hot stone and tar. Shows nice range and cut. Drink now. 4,000 cases imported.
12. BODEGA NORTON Malbec Mendoza Reserva 2010
Score: 90 points Price: $18.00
A ripe red, offering ample acidity to support the jammy kirsch, plum sauce and wild berry coulis notes that are framed by medium tannins, with the finish pumping out hints of smoke, spice box and graphite. Drink now through 2017. 60,000 cases imported.
13. TRAPICHE Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Broquel 2010
Score: 90 points Price: $18.00
A polished red, with fine tannins framing the ripe cassis, plum pudding and raspberry notes that linger on a creamy frame. Shows fine length, featuring an aftertaste of fruit and spice. Drink now. 6,000 cases made.
14. ANGULO INNOCENTI Malbec La Consulta 2010
Score: 90 points Price: $20.00
This dark, sappy red delivers rich, yet racy, flavors of blackberry coulis, plum skin and kirsch. Compact, with layered notes of cocoa nib, licorice and tar slowly unraveling in the long finish. Drink now through 2014. 1,300 cases imported.
15. KAIKEN Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Ultra 2009
Score: 90 points Price: $20.00
A dark, rich red, displaying layers of mocha, tar and spice to the ripe cassis, plum and kirsch notes. There's depth to the flavors that reverberate on the tangy finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases imported.
16. BODEGAS ESCORIHUELA Malbec Mendoza Don Miguel Gascón Reserva 2009
Score: 90 points Price: $25.00
Displays a deep, dense of core of crushed blackberry, raspberry and light blueberry hints, all finely wrapped with nuances of spice, licorice and fine tannins, as the minerally finish sails on. Drink now through 2015. 6,200 cases imported.
17. DOMINIO DEL PLATA Malbec Mendoza Susana Balbo Signature 2011
Score: 90 points Price: $25.00
A dense, chewy red, exhibiting dark raspberry coulis, blackberry reduction and plum skin notes that remain fresh through the smoke- and mineral-tinged finish. Fine length. Drink now. 10,000 cases imported.
18. LUCA Syrah Uco Valley Laborde Double Select 2011
Score: 90 points Price: $25.00
A dense, juicy red, displaying rich plum, crushed wild berry, spice, game and light earth notes that follow through on the long, minerally finish. Drink now. 2,800 cases imported.
19. TRAPICHE Malbec Mendoza Finca Las Palmas 2008
Score: 90 points Price: $25.00
A rich, spicy red, with ample toasty oak, baking spice and mesquite notes to the dark kirsch and wild berry reduction notes. Juicy acidity and a floral note keep this lively on the finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases made.
20. KAIKEN Corte Mendoza 2010
Score: 89 points Price: $14.00
Game, herb and spice notes accent the tangy dark cherry and plum flavors in this medium- to full-bodied red, lingering with a spicy aftertaste. Malbec, Bonarda and Petit Verdot. Drink now. 2,200 cases imported.
