2017 The Winemaker's Blend, Casa de Uco, Uco Valley

There's a deep, garnet core in the glass and a quick swirl rewards you with layered aromas of dark cherry fruit, cracked black pepper, spice and warming oak.

This '2nd Edition' blend comprises of approximately 60% malbec from the 2017 and 2018 vintages with merlot, petit verdot and cabernet franc making up the balance. Malbec and merlot produce a deep, fruit-laden core, whilst the inclusion of petit verdot and cabernet franc play their part in the provision of red berry fruit, freshness and purity, found in this latest incarnation.

The palate offers a fusion of dark and light red-berry flavours, dark roasted coffee and spice. It's ripe and rounded but not overly heavy, with a notable freshness and purity, something of a rarity in the signature, bold red wines of South America. A delicate, warming blanket of sweet, American oak lingers gently on the finish which is long and moreish.

It's a lovely wine straight from the bottle, naturally a good decant is well rewarded and further cellaring will be too as there's no doubt that this will continue to develop over the next 5 years and beyond.

James Russell-Grant - Mr.Wheeler