Argentina Wine Guide.com

Pulenta Estate VII Gran Corte 2004

Bodega

Range

Wine

Vintage

Origin

Price

Pulenta Estate

n/a

VII Gran Corte

2004

Alto Agrelo, Mendoza

AR$115 (US$38)

Appearance

Bright, vibrant scarlet red with a lustrous glow.

Nose

Intense stewed red fruit - plums and redcurrants. Lots of sweet cloves.

Palate

Medium bodied with a warm, silky, opulent mouth-feel. Stewed red fruits reflect the nose. Cloves, vanilla and cinnamon, with a trace of pencil shavings. Tannins are soft and supple, the acidity is exquisitely balanced, and length impressive.

Overall

An interesting corte without a clear dominant grape: 30% Malbec, 27% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Tannat (a grape rarely seen outside Uruguay, but favoured for its highly structural tannins), and 6% Petit Verdot. But, boy does it work. 12 months in new French oak, with a sensibly restrained 13.5% alcohol, this is a fabulous wine. Reasonably pricey, but fair.

****+

(November 06)