Peppery hints accent the concentrated dark currant, plum tart and roasted cherry flavors. Dried blueberry notes show midpalate, with graphite and cast iron details on the inky and herb-tinged finish. Drink now through 2024. 67 cases made, 67 cases imported.??–KM??Region: Argentina / Mendoza / Uco Valley Select to Add

Shows lots of white pepper accents to the raspberry, cherry and licorice snap flavors. The spicy finish turns minerally, offering savory notes and hints of cream. Drink now through 2021. 67 cases imported.??–KM??Region: Argentina / Mendoza / Uco Valley Select to Add

There are only 600 bottles of the flagship 2008 Remota. It is 100% Malbec sourced from a 60-year-old estate vineyard which was allowed an extra 20 days of hang time. It was aged for 12 months in new French oak before racking into a another set of new barrels for an additional 6 months (the 150% new oak treatment). Deep purple in color with a film of glycerin coating the glass, it sports a brooding bouquet of exotic spices, incense, lavender, smoke, black cherry, and blackberry. Opulent on the palate with layers of fleshy black fruit, this concentrated effort has terrific volume and precision balance. Give it 6-8 years to become a bit more civilized and drink it from 2016 to 2033. Mendel, where the talented Roberto de la Mota presides as winemaker, has an outstanding set of new releases including one white wine.Importer: Vine Connections, Sausalito, CA; tel. (415) 332-8466; fax (415) 332-8668

The 2007 Finca Remota came from a 10-acre parcel of 50-year-old vines in Altamira. It received the “150% new oak” treatment with 50% of the wine racked into a set of new barrels for 6 months after a 12 month stay in the first set of new barrels. Purple-colored, it offers up an enticing bouquet of pain grille, pencil led, incense, truffle, black cherry, and black raspberry. Sweet, pure, and elegant on the palate, it has superb concentration and focus, impeccable balance, and a 45-second finish. It will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2022. Importer: Vine Connections, Sausalito, CA; tel. (415) 332-8466