Tim Atkin MW visited Argentina in early 2017 and yielded some great scores for Finca Perdriel, Bodega Norton and Finca Decero. Tasting notes are written by Tim Atkin MW for scores of over 90 points.

95 Points: Finca Perdriel Vineyard Selection 2012

“After a gap in 2011, this signature wine (literally so as it bears Jorge Riccitelli’s name) is back in 2012.  It’s a dense, richly oaked wine with attractive Asian spice notes, very smooth tannins, plenty of plush berry fruit and a chalky undertone.”  

95 Points: Bodega Norton Privada Malbec 2014

“Often among my favourite Mendoza Malbecs (with components from four different sub-regions) this has surpassed itself in 2014. Pure, focused and beautifully judged, it’s a fitting tribute to Jorge Riccitelli, who retires this year. Fine tannins, subtle oak and layers of nuanced plum, spice and blueberry fruit.”

94 Points: Bodega Norton Gernot Langes 2012

“Some may be put off by the ludicrously heavy bottle here, but it is an icon. Blending Malbec with 30% Cabernet Franc (the highest ever proportion) and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a smoky, dense, concentrated wine with significant levels of extraction, notes of graphite, vanilla and cedar wood and a core of rich, slightly cakey fruit.”  

93 Points: Finca Decero Amano 2014 Remolinos Vineyard

“Finca Decero’s top wine is on particularly impressive form in 2014, combining Malbec with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and (unusually for Agrelo) a little bit of Tannat. Serious, structured and made to age, this is a complex wine with mint and dried herb notes and underlying freshness.”

93 Points: Bodega Norton Privada Family Blend 2014

“Norton’s Privada cuvée is a blend of Malbec with 30% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon all from Luján de Cuyo. It’s a smooth, rich, hedonistic red with notes of Asian spices, stylish oak and plush bramble and blackberry fruit.”

92 Points: Finca Decero Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Remolinos Vineyard

“The extra year in bottle means that the Remolinos Cabernet is currently showing better than the younger Malbec from the same vineyard. Mint, cassis and black plum flavours are framed by stylish, scented oak and filigree tannins.”

92 Points: Bodega Norton Lote Negro 2015, Uco Valley

“An attempt to ‘break the mould’ in David Bonomi’s words, this is an Uco Valley blend of Malbec from Chacayes and Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary. Serious, concentrated, yet showing the classic freshness and perfume of higher altitude vineyards, it finishes with a chalky flourish.”

91 Points: Finca Decero Petit Verdot 2014, Remolinos Vineyard

Finca Decero has more of a history with Petit Verdot than any other Argentinean winery. This comes from the Remolinos Vineyard in the higher part of Agrelo and is a very stylish, fine-grained expression of the variety, with good oak integration and savoury tannins.”

91 Points: Finca Perdriel Series Malbec 2014

“Super dense, super concentrated and very dark, this is a rich, structured Malbec with sweet dark berry fruit, smooth tannins and quite abit of oak.”

90 Points: Finca Decero Malbec 2014, Remolinos Vineyard

“This Swiss-owned winery makes some of the best wines in Alto Agrelo, especially from this vineyard. Scented, subtle and well balanced, with attractive fruit sweetness and oak that needs a little more time in bottle to integrate”.

92 Points: Finca Perdriel Series Sauvignon Blanc 2016

“One of the best releases yet of Norton’s Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from two vineyards in Perdriel. Leafy, fresh and attractive with notes of lemongrass and grapefruit, attractive minerality and a bone dry finish.”

89 Points: Bodega Norton Winemaker’s Reserve Malbec 2014

89 Points: Bodega Norton Winemaker’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014