AGUIJON DE ABEJA 2008 MALBEC

  

Argentina is still a happening place for value with more and more people trying to come up with viable new programs from down there to make it more interesting than ever.  This particular find is from someone who made their way in the fashion industry and then decided to follow their passion.  Like so many, Lloyd Kasman originally dreamed about being in the big dance and importing Bordeaux (cooler heads prevailed).  Instead he headed south and somehow hooked up with Maria Mendizabal, who happened to be Argentina’s Sommelier of the Year in 2006.  This young lady was responsible for the hot Calatayud and Pannunzio wines we talked about last year, but the “bee sting’ (Aguijon de Abeja means bee sting...curious name that definitely sounds better in Spanish) is even more impressive with its bright core of juicy, expressive currant and berry flavors, round palate and sweet core.  It doesn’t have that ‘made’ taste so many ‘value’ South American wines have and it is clear that the youthful, enthusiastic winemaking team, brothers Hector and Pablo Durigutti, have their wits about them.  One trained in Europe, the other in America, and they pull from both traditional and modern techniques in their approach to winemaking. Plump and easy to drink, pretty friendly for its youth, with surprising stuffing for the  category, it’s like the Advocate 90 pt. Maipe we sold (and are still selling),  but plumper and more engaging.  A sensational value, this is a real find that shows some style in a marketplace that is seemingly becoming a lot more homogenized in the lower price rungs.