Certainly one of the "hottest" wine regions this year is Argentina...and not only because of the famous wines made from Malbec—that bold, intense, self-indulgent, fruit-bomb that has almost everyone trying every brand they can lay their hands on.
The Tapiz brand has four wines that have very good balance and really nice forward fruit rounded out by ripe and supple acids as well as fleshy soft tannins in the reds. Tapiz Chardonnay is in the typical South American style of everything in moderation—a richness imparted by lees—contact along with lively apple-like acids which make it perfect for just about all your big white wine needs. It's also selling very well. Tapiz Syrah has this crazy south-of-France thing going on, it is big, true—but somewhat restrained—you'll be delighted with this wine accompanying a Spaghetti Carbonara for instance.
Tapiz Cabernet Sauvignon is a little like wine from Monterey—it has some spicy cassis and bramble fruit, along with some black pepper notes. Easily comparable to wines costing 50% more than this it will go with lamb or beef but is not too heavy for a hearty chicken dish.
Tapiz Malbec is I think the best wine of the brand. Compact in the mouth and contrarily expansive in the nose the flavors grow in the mouth leading to a finish with great depth and good length—tasted blind you'd be hard pressed to guess accurately the price of this wine—you'd probably go wildly higher. All the Tapiz wines are priced at $10.99 (!) and if you buy a four-pack you'll get our 10% discount and only pay $9.89 a bottle!
Manos Negras wines represent a touch more intensity and they are certainly all excellent examples of their types. They are a small step up in price and you'll find that they are more concentrated in aroma and flavor.
Manos Negras Torrontes is a little like Sauvignon Blanc, quite opulently fragrant and forwardly fruity, not quite as wild as Sauvignon and equally at home with any fish dish you can create.
Manos Negras Sauvignon Blanc is bigger and has more heft, obviously new world in origin it is going to better with richer sauces like Chicken Marengo, perhaps even a veal chop.
Manos Negras Cabernet Sauvignon is more graceful than their Malbec but don't take this to read slighter. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a substantial wine and good enough for comparisons to California wines costing double—or more! A perfect foil for steaks and burgers, you'd also love this with a steak pie.
The Manos Negras Malbec is massive and truly dense—as spicy as it is dark—very richly flavored and full of spicy forward fruit balanced with deeply concentrated ripe and supple tannins. Enjoy this with your favorite hearty fare. It is truly excellent.
Last but not least is the Manos Negras Pinot Noir this wine is worthy of everyone's attention and priced such that our own West Coast producers might want to pay close attention here. It's as good as most anything priced in the $30 range but costing only half of that!
All Manos Negras wines are priced amazingly at $12.99 (!) and when buy a four-pack you'll get our 10% discount and only pay $11.69 a bottle! You'll find when you taste these wonderful wines yourself that we do not exaggerate in the slightest. You'll find displays of most of these wines in your own favorite TOP store. Try them all they're worth it!
Until the next time, cheers!