Festivo, Malbec 2006, Argentina
Festivo is a label of Bodega Monteviejo. Monteviejo is part of Michel Rolland’s collective of wineries in Mendoza known as ‘Clos de los Siete’, where seven French-owned wineries came together to operate individually with Monsieur Rolland as consultant, but also to pool some of their production to make a wine called Clos de los Siete. This is one of the cheaper wines in the entire catalogue from this project, and is a nicely expressive Malbec with classic plum fruit, and delightful nuances of cedar and a floral character. On the palate it is smooth and opulent, with Christmas cake flavours of spices, raisins, cherry and plum. It is not the most complex of Malbecs, but it is beautifully made, delicious and very good value. 8.60, L’Art du Vin, Edinburgh (www.aduv.co.uk); Friarwood Wine.
