Malbec - Punta de Vacas, Norton - Mendoza

• Vintage: 2020
• Origin: Bodega Norton, Mendoza, Argentina
• Taste guide: Medium bodied, rich and full. Beautifully round and velvety with flavours of ripe black fruit, violets, spices and tobacco with a long and complex finish. - unoaked
• 75cl - natural cork closure- 13.5%
• Food matches: Pairs well with most red meat dishes easpecially a Sunday Roast or try with a rich tomato based pasta dish.
• 85% Malbec, 7.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.5% Syrah - Virtually organic vineyard

Edmund Norton planted his first vines in Mendoza in 1895, 10 years after the railway opened linking this emerging wine-growing region with Buenos Aires. This railway is celbrated on this wine's label. At around 1,000 metres, the altitude moderates the temperature, causing an extended ripening season. Exposing the vines to more ultra-violet light also encourages the development of colour and tannin in varieties such as Malbec.

The grapes for this wine came from 10-20 year old vines in Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu offering medium yields which create balance between rich character and freshness in the grapes. Minimal treatments are used in the vineyards, which are run along virtually organic lines. All the grapes were hand picked, and following crushing in the winery were initially held in cold maceration for three days. Fermentation then took place in stainless steel tanks, at a temperature of 25°C, with a total maceration of twenty days using only natural yeast.

4.2/5 on Vivino says it all, this wine is a cracker.

The colour is deep inky red, with a perfumed bright, floral nose of violets and bramble fruit and hints of black pepper. This leads into a rich, juicy palate with ripe plums and blackberry, liquorice and exotic spice leaving a pleasant and soft finish. An elegant, complex wine, beautifully rounded and velvety.

Originally produced for a premium restaurant chain where the price would have been in excess of £24 indicating a retail of £12+

BinEndWines price: £8.85