La posta armando bonarda 2021 (Luca)

Enjoy it now, or cellar for up to 10 years. Decant for up to an hour before serving. If you are looking to explore Argentinian wine that lies outside of the world of Malbec, this is a fantastic place to start.

It is crafted from the lesser-known Bonarda grape, which originally comes from Savoy, but has found a new home in the soils of Argentina. This one begins with rich scents of red and black hedgerow fruits, underpinned by hints of smoke, oak, sandalwood, and cocoa.

La Posta is an invention of Argentina’s greatest winemaking father and daughter duo – Nicolas and Laura Catena. Together with third-generation vintner Luis Reginato, and a handful of grape-growing families, the Catenas founded La Posta in 2000, in the heart of Mendoza.

The basis of this stunning jammy red wine is a single vineyard in Guaymallén, growing at an altitude of 2,300 feet, which has been tended aby the Armando family since 1887. It is a rich, mouthfilling wine, with generous notes of blackberry and raspberries, subtle hints of oak, and a smattering of dark chocolate.

Look for ripe, silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long finish. In terms of character, Bonarda wines are best compared to Zinfandel and can be enjoyed alongside steak, barbecued foods, or mature cheese.