When we talk about great value, we always talk about the QPR — quality per price. We want every dollar spent to translate into quality, and at best the wines outperform most other wines at the same price point. Terrific value not only gives savvy consumers reassurance, it also gives the impression of discovering some amazing deals. And it’s not just about marketing or seasonal promotions. The meaning lies in the wine itself. We want to find the most suitable types of wine within the country we are looking at, and so, once again, we turn to Argentina, which provides exactly that.
If you have read our Top 100 Argentine Wines of 2020, you’ll understand how great value has shaped the country’s top wines. We’ve already covered some great value options from Argentina with malbec, chardonnay, cabernet franc, and even some tannat from Salta and Uruguay. Much attention has been given to the varietal wines, and now it’s time to take a closer look at the incredible value on the red blends, be it malbec-driven fusions or Bordeaux assemblages. Many are known as the “Gran Corte,” suggesting a combination of at least two grape varieties.
The following seven bottles feature different blending “recipes,” but they are by no means recipe wines. For under $50, we found seven bottles of fantastic value that showcase the winemakers’ know-how to create a consistent style. All these wines received 95 points and up!
The ultimate expressions of malbec and cabernet franc is a masterpiece from Daniel Pi, the 98-point Trapiche Malbec Cabernet Franc Mendoza Iscay 2014. The cabernet franc adds freshness, agility, and some fine linearity to the rich, dense and brooding malbec. The same blend is found in Susana Balbo’s BenMarco Expressivo, an all-time value hitter across the vintages.
Mascota Vineyards Mendoza Unánime Gran Vino Tinto 2017 (95 points for only $20), on the other hand, is a blend led by cabernet sauvignon, with malbec and cabernet franc filling in the complexity. Bodega Norton Mendoza Privada 2017 is blend of malbec, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon, forging a dense, complete, and modern wine that is very compelling now but would also age well. The same goes for Achaval-Ferrer Mendoza Quimera 2017 and Pulenta Agrelo Luján de Cuyo Gran Corte VII 2017. They are consistently among the top values that connect malbec with other mainstream Bordeaux varieties. On top of that, the only $16 Clos de los Siete Valle de Uco 2017, a well-known project of Michel Rolland, brings some syrah into the blend and received 95 points this year, representing unbelievable value. Is there a better example to demonstrate that a $15 bottle can taste like a $50 wine?
The message from Argentina this year is simple: value, value and value! These seven bottles of red blend “Gran Cortes” (majority led by malbec) under $50 show how far Argentina’s value offering can go. Put these on your Christmas wine shopping list to savor some of the real deals from Argentina scoring 95 points or more!
– Zekun Shuai, associate editor in Beijing
Argentine red blends under $50 (95pts and up!)
Trapiche Malbec Cabernet Franc Mendoza Iscay 2014 – JS98
International Price: $44
BenMarco Valle de Uco Expresivo 2016 – JS96
Available at TotalWine.com: $25.49
Available at Vivino: $29.99
Achaval-Ferrer Mendoza Quimera 2017 – JS96
International Price: $29
Clos de los Siete Valle de Uco 2017 – JS95
Available at Vivino: $15.95
Available at KLWines.com: $17.99
Mascota Vineyards Mendoza Unánime Gran Vino Tinto 2017 – JS95
Available at TotalWine.com: $19.99
Bodega Norton Mendoza Privada 2017 – JS95
Available at Wine.com: $24.99
Available at Vivino: $24.99
Pulenta Agrelo Luján de Cuyo Gran Corte VII 2017 – JS95
Available at Vivino: $48.99 (only available in 12-bottle cases)
