Decanter star buys of 2015 South America & US

<p>Top wine of 2015 Fine blackberry, blueberry and grassy aromas. Very juicy blackberry fruit on the palate with mineral notes leading to a savoury finish. Nicely structured and balanced; a modern expression of Malbec. Decanter average score: 18.5/20pts Individual judges&#39; scores: Phil Crozier 18.5 Patricio Tapia 18 Dirceu Vianna Junior MW 19 This is the first vintage of the second label at Gen del Alma (the 2013 vintage of the top label, Otra Piel, also got Outstanding in another Decanter tasting) and it retains the house style of grace and vivacity. Andrea Mufatto, winemaker at Zorzal Winery in Gualtallary, and her husband Gerardo Michelini (partner at Zorzal) co-fermented the free-run juice of 60% Malbec and 40% Pinot Noir grapes in concrete eggs and the wine went directly to bottle, unoaked, to preserve its lovely, joyful flavours and textures. This is one of the finest examples of vin de soif from Argentina &ndash; a style that didn&rsquo;t exist a few years ago.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Phil Crozier </em></strong><br /> Light, airy and fresh. An idea that should not work, but does. Bright and earthy mulberry aromas and a lovely, unctuous yet fresh palate.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Patricio Tapia </strong></em><br /> A perfect wine for a sophisticated picnic or to enjoy by the pool: honest and refreshing, filled with cherry and violets. So nice and tender.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Dirceu Vianna Junior MW </strong></em><br /> Amazing personality: inviting and fragrant raspberries, cherries, thyme and rosemary leap out of the glass &ndash; exhilarating! Dry, light, vibrant and refreshing with exceptional purity of fruit. Low alcohol and very easy to drink. Supreme balance, tension and poise. A real triumph.</p>

<p>Top wine of 2015 Bramble and garrigue aromas with black pepper and dried flowers. A hint of chocolate and dark cherries on the palate with a savoury, intense finish. Shows real complexity and class. Decanter average score: 18.75/20pts Individual judges&rsquo; scores: Phil Crozier 19 Patricio Tapia 18.5 Dirceu Vianna Junior MW 18.5 Passionate Wine is the personal adventure of Matias Michelini, winemaking consultant at Zorzal winery and Bodega Sophenia, among others. Demente (&lsquo;Crazy&rsquo;) comes from eight vineyards across Gualtallary and it&rsquo;s harvested several times during the season (40 days of difference between the first and last pick). Michelini&rsquo;s goal here is to represent the Gualtallary terroir: he uses 55% Malbec and 45% Cabernet Franc, fermented in concrete eggs and with minimal oak ageing.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Phil Crozier</strong></em><br /> Lemon sherbet, citrus and mint aromas &ndash; so much tension, both dark and light! Beautiful focus and wonderful purity. Electric wine.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Patricio Tapia</strong></em><br /> Pure and expansive in term of aromas, but tight in texture and structure. It needs some time in bottle to open up. Graceful.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Dirceu Vianna Junior MW</strong></em><br /> Expressive, uplifting, lively raspberry, cherry and blackberry as well as refined herbal overtones. Fine-grained tannins, vibrant acidity and lovely savoury notes. Sophisticated, with finesse.</p>

Full-on with dark fruits, cassis leaf, dark chocolate and toast. Pure, typical Cabernet with impressive characteristics. A rich, dense palate with fine-grained tannins and a long finish.

<p><em><strong>Star buy of 2015 </strong></em><br /> Owner of Vi&ntilde;alba, Herv&eacute; Joyaux Fabre joined forces with Portuguese winemaker Rui Reguinga for this 80% Malbec from almost 50-year-old vines and 20% Touriga Nacional from younger vines. The result is a powerful yet refined style. The Malbec dominates with its cherry and violet notes, and Touriga contributes with denser, tighter tannins.</p> <p>Star buy of 2015 Pronounced nose of nuts, herbs and ripe fruits. Complex and savoury palate with brisk acidity and a slight oiliness. Very engaging style, with complexity from the oak and real body from the fruit. Needs a bit more time to really shine.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Phil Crozier </strong></em><br /> Very interesting blend. Very floral and expressive on the nose, with graphite and flowers in equal measure. Firm in the mouth, with lovely purity on the finish.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Patricio Tapia </strong></em><br /> A terrific example of Malbec with its violet and cherry flavours. This is extracted and powerful, with enough body to match a barbecue.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Dirceu Vianna Junior MW </strong></em><br /> The bouquet is pure, uplifting and inviting, with notes of blackberries, bergamot and dried Mediterranean herbs. Dry and refreshing palate with lovely juicy fruit, fine-grained tannins and a long finish. Graceful with a mouthwatering, persistent finish.</p>

Lovely and wild with ripe fruits, cigar box spice and roasted green pepper aromas. Full bodied and round with lovely tannins and elegant use of oak. A refreshing style with a ripe finish – very popular indeed! Another classic example of Cabernet growing in Alto Maipo, this is a complex, elegant red. Its delicate net of tannins support layers of dry red fruit, spices and herbal notes. A touch of earthy flavours enhances its complexity. A very serious Cabernet for old-school Bordeaux lovers.