I'll confess I'm particularly excited about this new find - a really gutsy Malbec from Gustavo Caligiore in Lujan de Cujo (Mendoza). The vineyards lie below the Andes at a height of 900m and enjoy the ideal combination of hot sun by day and cooling breezes by night. His Malbec vines were planted back in 1930 and enable him to make a wine of real character - a deep, purply red with a gorgeously dark fruited nose. In the mouth it's rich and fruity, supported by gentle tannins and there's reassuring sweetness on the finish. Me gusto mucho!

Grape varieties: Malbec

14.5%

Giving the competition a good run for its money ... an intense wine with tastes of bitter chocolate and raisins. Would combine well with Middle Eastern food. THE IINDEPENDENT March 2007

Recommended. Fresh, herby, floral, cassis, red berry fruit. Pleasant crunchy fruit, elegant spicy complexity, well done. Drink 2-5 years. DECANTER May 2007

COMMENDED - INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2008