Chakana Estate Selection Red Blend

I visited Chakana at the start of this year and was impressed by their organically grown wines. This is Bonarda, quite common in Argentina, from vineyards at 960 metres altitude, and made here with some oak ageing. The nose has bacon fat and smokiness, mellow mulberry and dark plummy fruit, quite gamy and deep but there is a Sandalwood note of lifted fragrance. In the mouth it is full and rich, a nice sweet/sour balance from the fruit and grippy acidity and tannins, the oak adding a little tobacco and cedar layer to the finish.

Dense core here, blue-purple, but it is losing a little bit of colour on the rim. Very fine nose here. I think this is showing a fine combination of ripe fruits. We have blackberry, cassis, cherry there, with very fine spiciness as well, like freshly ground black pepper, clove. Really layered with a certain complexity. Just a little hint of oak, finely tuned. I like this palate a lot, it is showing a good deal of concentration here. With a fine emphasis on fruit and not over ripe but just ripe fruit, with a good mix of red and dark berries. We have those spicy peppery notes of clove, ginger, really layered with finely grained tannins, some hints of chocolate. There is a very gentle hint of oak in the background, but very classy oak. And I would say very digest on the finish. I think this has excellent drinkability, certainly a wine with potential for further aging. But multi-layered with a really long finish and a certain level of complexity. I have to buy a bottle of this I think.

A bright and fruity red with dark berry and black pepper character plus hints of stones. Full body, firm tannins and a fruity, mineral aftertaste. A little tight but delicious. Drink now.

Rubbery, medicinal aromas suggest iodine and latex. This blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah is heavy and flabby, with baked, herbal flavors that finish saucy and show notes of tomato and fennel.

Aromas of blueberries and vanilla follow through to a full body with soft and silky tannins plus hints of chocolate. Malbec, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah. Drink now.

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Solid, condensed and smooth on the nose, with aromas of mocha and bold berry fruit. The palate is racy and deep, with lively blackberry and cassis flavors. Made from a mix of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this is long, big and attractive, and the structure is just right. Drink over the next four years.

Chakana has put out many good wines in recent vintages but this rough and tumble blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah comes across minty and forced on the nose and then grating on the palate. Yes, it's got color and power. But it lacks the balance and body that you'd expect. Frankly, it seems acidified.

Heavily toasted and loaded with black cherry and blackberry aromas, this blend of Cabernet, Malbec and Petit Verdot pushes cola, chewy plum and black-fruit flavors. The back end is all about coffee, mocha and bitter chocolate, and as a whole this wine shows Argentina in a fine light. As for the winery, Chakana almost always gets it right.

Chakana makes some good wines, and the pack is led by this prestige-level blend of Cab Sauvignon, Malbec and Bonarda. It's plenty racy and forward, with plum and berry flavors that ring the bell. Toward the end some oak-based vanilla enters the game to applause. A yummy, well-made wine.

For reports and full tasting notes, go to Tim Atkin MW's website.

For reports and full tasting notes, go to Tim Atkin MW's website.

For reports and full tasting notes, go to Tim Atkin MW's website.

For reports and full tasting notes, go to Tim Atkin MW's website.