South American red blends: 30 great buys
As research and vineyard development continue apace, winemakers in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay are producing a diverse range of accomplished red blends. Marina Gayan MW offers a snapshot of their work and picks her top 30 wines from a tasting of more than 200.
Argentinian Malbec, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, Uruguayan Tannat – if you think that’s all there is to South American wine, read on. At first sight, most of the blends here are centred on these varieties, but closer inspection reveals a more complex and exciting picture.
The quality of red blends is undeniable, particularly in Argentina and Chile, where respectively 81% and 75% of the wines I tasted rated Highly Recommended or better. I don’t consider myself a generous scorer, so that sets an impressive standard. Of the small sample of Uruguayan wines, 40% scored at least Highly Recommended.
In each country, at least one other variety has emerged as a successful partner to the classic blends. Cabernet Franc features in most of my preferred Argentinian blends; it reins in the roundness of Malbec and adds precision and definition to its structure. In Chile, Syrah shows up in three of the chosen wines, combining successfully not only with deep-rooted Cabernet Sauvignon but perhaps more interestingly with Carmenère, where it adds fruit and volume to the blend. In Uruguay, Merlot made the winning combinations, bringing flesh and mid-palate fruit to the more savoury Tannat.
Traditional varieties such as Bonarda in Argentina and Cinsault in Chile from revived old vineyards deliver fantastic value; expect to see more of these styles emerging. I found adventurous Uruguayan blends of Tannat with Portuguese Sousão or Spanish Tempranillo. And there are signs that Rhône varieties have started to succeed in Argentina: watch this space.
When it comes to origins, Chilean blends show great geographical diversity, here represented in six different valleys from the far-north Limarí to Itata in the south; and Uruguay reveals the promise of emerging regions beyond traditional Canelones and Montevideo. In Argentina, on the other hand, mirroring the country’s vineyard distribution, the chosen wines concentrate around Mendoza, in particular the premium regions of Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo.
All of the progress of the last two decades – the pioneers, the drive towards quality, the search for cooler regions and a more hands-off approach in the winery with fresher fruit and less oak – has led to this moment. These 30 wines show the quality, style and diversity that South America can offer, and often at excellent value for money. It’s an exciting time to look again at South American red blends.
Marina Gayan MW is Argentina’s first and only Master of Wine. Now based in Buenos Aires, she works as a wine trade consultant, private client advisor and educator.
Marina Gayan MW’s top 30 South American red blends
See also: 45 Bordeaux blends from around the world
Almaviva, Puente Alto, Maipo Valley, Chile, 2017
A Bordeaux blend, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) and Carmenère (25%). Power and concentration, elegance and balance. Exuberant aromas of cassis, damson plums and peppers....
2017
Almaviva
Catena Zapata, Nicolás Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina, 2016
Since 1997, this Bordeaux-inflected Argentine assemblage has been one of Catena Zapata’s flagship wines: 61% Cabernet Sauvignon from Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo) mixed with Malbec...
2016
Catena Zapata
Seña, Aconcagua Valley, Chile, 2017
Francisco Baettig harvested this Bordeaux blend 20 days early to deliver this elegant, bright, somehow subdued wine. Complex herbs, cassis and cedar layered with figs...
2017
Seña
Viña Cobos, Volturno, Perdriel, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017
Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc (for the first time). Concentration and richness with balance and sophistication. Intense, complex aromas of dried...
2017
Viña CobosPerdriel
Bouza, Monte Vide Eu, Montevideo, Uruguay, 2018
On current form, this is Uruguay’s best red blend, a world-class cuvée of Tannat with 35% Merlot and 20% Tempranillo. Aged in 90% new oak,...
2018
Bouza
Riccitelli, Riccitelli & Father, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017
As if inspired by the Cat Stevens song, this is made together by father and son Jorge and Matías Riccitelli. A blend of Malbec from...
2017
Riccitelli
Perez Cruz, Liguai, Maipo Valley, Chile, 2015
Such a classic nose for a non-claret blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère. At first there are notes of cedar, cassis and eucalyptus; then...
2015
Perez Cruz
Zuccardi, Tito Zuccardi, Uco Valley, Paraje Altamira, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Named for winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi’s grandfather Alberto (Tito). Co-fermented Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Dark berries, violets and a juicy roundness meet a touch of leafiness...
2018
ZuccardiUco Valley
Familia Deicas, Extreme Vineyards Cerro del Guazuvirá, Uruguay, 2019
Everything about this wine is unique and artisanal. A vineyard on granitic soils at the top of the Cerro; just 3,000 bottles made with minimal...
2019
Familia Deicas
Norton, Gernot Langes, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2016
Malbec and Cabernet Franc with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon, from the classic Luján de Cuyo region and the cool 2016 vintage. The inky colour...
2016
NortonLuján de Cuyo
Pulenta Estate, Gran Corte VII, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017
Stylish blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Tannat. Fragrant aromas of violets, plums, dark cherries and savoury fresh herbs, plus smoke notes....
2017
Pulenta EstateLuján de Cuyo
Viña Los Vascos, Le Dix de Los Vascos, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2016
This harvest will be remembered as the most difficult of the decade. Intense rains in April marked a line in the sand: those who harvested...
2016
Viña Los Vascos
Cuvelier Los Andes, Grand Vin, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017
Dense, serious and structured, this has stylishly integrated 50% new wood, fine tannins, racy, herbal, red berry fruit, notes of dried herbs and impressive palate...
2017
Cuvelier Los AndesUco Valley
El Esteco, Chañar Punco, Catamarca, Argentina, 2016
<p>Chañar Punco is a hidden gem, a valley situated at 2,000m above sea level in the southern part of Calchaquí Valley. This corner of the...
2016
El Esteco
Estancia Uspallata, El Corte, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Debut release of El Corte (the blend) from Alejandro Colo Sejanovich and Jeff Mausbach. Uspallata is such a high spot at 2,000m above sea level,...
2018
Estancia UspallataLuján de Cuyo
Viña Edén, Cerro Negro, Maldonado, Uruguay, 2017
Pueblo Edén is a little piece of heaven perched on rocky mountain slopes in Maldonado, 50km from the Atlantic Ocean. This blend of 45% Tannat,...
2017
Viña Edén
Tabalí, Transversal, Maipo Valley, Chile, 2016
Winemaker Felipe Müller blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc with Syrah from vineyards in two very different valleys: cool Limarí and quintessential Maipo. Still...
2016
Tabalí
Francisco Puga y Familia, L’Amitié Grand Vin, Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina, 2018
Puga’s personal project – as a professed Burgundy lover, you can see and taste the influence. Malbec with 15% each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot....
2018
Francisco Puga y FamiliaCalchaquí Valley
J Bouchon, Granito Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère, Maule Valley, Chile, 2016
A modern and fragrant version of this classic Chilean combination. Green and red bell pepper aromas in perfect harmony with dark blackcurrant notes. Nicely balanced,...
2016
J Bouchon
Michelini i Mufatto, Balsa de Piedra Blend de Tintas, Uco Valley, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019
Husband and wife Gerardo and Andrea’s blend of Malbec and Cabernet Franc oozes fragrant dark fruit, blackberries and smoke. The juicy palate has faint savoury...
2019
Michelini i MufattoUco Valley
Ver Sacrum, GSM, Uco Valley, Los Chacayes, Mendoza, Argentina, 2017
Don’t be fooled by the light colour: this classic GSM blend delivers lovely cherry, rose and mineral aromas with a savoury edge, then a lovely...
2017
Ver SacrumUco Valley
Pyros Wines, Special Blend, Pedernal Valley, Pedernal Valley, San Juan, Argentina, 2014
This predominantly Malbec blend with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon has such a different character. It comes from the Perdenal Valley in the San Juan province....
2014
Pyros WinesPedernal Valley
San Pedro, Sideral, Cachapoal Valley, Chile, 2018
Despite being just over 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is beautifully transformed by the influence of Syrah (18%) together with small amounts of Cabernet Franc,...
2018
San Pedro
Cerro Chapeu, Ysern Gran Tradición, Uruguay, 2017
This estate is in the niche northern continental region of Rivera on the border with Brazil. The wine – Tannat blended with an unusual partner,...
2017
Cerro Chapeu
Altar Uco, Edad Moderna Red Blend, Uco Valley, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Juan Pablo Michelini’s blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon combines purity and meatiness. A concentrated wine with no oak, it is aromatic...
2018
Altar UcoUco Valley
Bira Wines, Brunetto, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Take a look beyond Malbec. This is an exciting debut vintage by friends Federico Isgró and Santiago Bernasconi. A Sangiovese-dominated blend, co-fermented with Merlot and...
2018
Bira WinesUco Valley
Emiliana, Coyam, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2018
This blend of mostly Syrah and Carmenère delivers such an interesting and agreeable range of flavours. Made from biodynamically grown grapes in the Los Robles...
2018
Emiliana
Miguel Torres, La Causa, Itata Valley, Chile, 2018
This wine delivers such joy. A blend of old-vine Cinsault, País and Carignan made by Miguel Torres, it comes from the southern region of Itata,...
2018
Miguel Torres
Casa Silva, Quinta Generación, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2017
The Silva family is very much part of the history of the Colchagua Valley. This blend of the year’s best wines celebrates their arrival five...
2017
Casa Silva
Durigutti, Cara Sucia, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018
Cara Sucia, meaning ‘dirty face’, pays homage to the eastern Mendoza area where the Durigutti brothers grew up. Grapes from an old organic parral vineyard,...
2018
Durigutti
