Great-Value Red Wines from Mendoza, Argentina to Check Out

Argentina has been bringing forward a number of winners in red wines in recent years, especially among value-priced offerings. Here we assess two offerings: a truly bargain-priced Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda, and a modest offering, the Barrandica Vineyards Estate Wine Selection.

Review, The Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda:

The Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda from the Mendoza region of Argentina is among the least expensive red wines you can find in a bottle in the United States. We'll see in a moment whether it delivers bang for its small number of bucks, but in recent years Argentina has proven to be one of the best regions - along with Spain and Australia - to discover real good-quality bargains.

This Colonia is made entirely of the Bonarda grape - originally an Italian grape from Piedmont and the Oltrepo-Pavese region. A new vintage, this shows 13.5% alcohol.

Let's see what Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda delivers... In the glass, it is beefy, dark, purple-red - totally opaque in the middle. Upon swirling, you get a totally bulging, purple aroma - if you didn't know better, you would think you were sniffing cru beaujolais.

When you sip, though, this breaks in a totally different direction than beaujolais. It shows a husky, deep, almost rugged mid-mouth feel - chunky, ripe, black berry fruit, with light, mouth-cleansing tannins. Low acid, but lots of activity in the mouth. The finish pulls back a hint of the beaujolais purple grapiness, and adds a touch of alcohol. Rusty, rustic wine - intense, not for the faint of heart. Don't think elegant balance; think washing down stew.

Three stars out of five on this one, which - given its bedrock low price - makes it a best value.

Find Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda at WineZap.

Review, Barrandica Vineyards Estate Wine Selection:

Our next wine, the Barrandica Vineyards Estate Wine Selection, 2005, from Mendoza, Argentina,is made by Antucura. It is a meritage blend of 50% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 10% malbec, tipping in at 14% alcohol.

Barrandica is a deep medium red in the glass. Aromas are clean and bright, with wisps of ripe raspberry.

On the palate, you get a toned, quite elegant fruity experience. The fruit does open quite boldly in the center of your mouth, and ripe red berries cascade along the edges. Acids are mild, and the tannins hidden but helpful in gliding the finish along quite nicely.

A bright, cheery, balanced experience. Three stars with a plus for its classy elegance.

Find Barrandica at WineZap.