Salentein (Argentina) MCM Winemaker’s Selection 2004
A fairly new name on the Argentine scene, Salentein is causing quite a stir with its wines, from vineyards in the Valley de Uco of Mendoza. This Bordeaux blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. It has a dense but bright ruby colour, and an appealing nose of cedarwood. There’s a lovely soft blackcurrant and plummy fruit, and a gentle background of toasty, high quality oak. On this palate this is medium-bodied, with a good balance between quite crisp, lively, fresh black fruit, and a stripe of charry, liquoricy backbone from the oak and tight, firm tannins. Acidity is good too, in a very well balanced and intelligently made wine with savoury appeal. 7.99, Tesco
