From centenarian vines high up, 1000 metres above sea level in Lujan de Cuyo, this is one of two ‘Apos’, this one being produced without oak influence, unadorned, in all its fruity glory. Very glossy fruit, berry coulis, meadow sweet, blackberry and apple compote-warming and rounded. Very drinkable indeed, and such value!”Apo” is a term used by the indigenous Mapuche tribe as a tribute to the nature’s elements, to the sun that shines down on them, to the rain, and to the water from the snow melting off the snow-capped Andes, all vital elements in the lifecycle of their vines.

#Tasting#

Woe betide the wine merchant that ignores a tip from Jancis Robinson MW. It was her that first pointed us in the direction of Belasco de Baquedano with their cracking AR Guentota Malbec. It was then made by Bertrand Bourdil, the former winemaker at Mouton-Rothschild and co-founder of Opus One. Their wines are far from your average Malbecs down the local pub: making the most of their high elevation and old vines, the style highlights the savoury notes of the grape and draws out a more sinewy character than is usually found in these parts.