Anima Cabernet Franc 2017 Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 75cl

Bodega Anima is a small Mendoza producer working in the Uco Valley, the high, cool swathe of vineyards that has become Argentina’s benchmark for structured, elegant reds. Detailed background on the estate is limited, so this description leans on the wine’s grape, place and style, all drawn from Portman’s catalogue data.

The wine is pure Cabernet Franc, a variety that thrives in the Uco Valley’s stony soils and wide day-to-night temperature swing. Those conditions give Cabernet Franc here a ripe red-fruited core alongside the fresh, leafy lift the grape is loved for. A single varietal wine, it puts the grape front and centre.

From the 2017 harvest, this is a medium-bodied red made in an approachable style, with enough freshness to drink well over a relaxed meal rather than a wine built for long cellaring. It is at its best in the next couple of years.

Expect aromas of raspberry and red cherry with a gentle herbal, peppery note, a supple mid-palate and soft, rounded tannins. It is balanced and easy to enjoy. Serve lightly cool with roast pork, grilled poultry, charcuterie or a tomato-based pasta. A versatile all-rounder.

Cabernet Franc has quietly become one of the Uco Valley’s most exciting grapes, and this is an unfussy, food-friendly example. If you enjoy Loire reds such as Chinon, or lighter Argentine Malbec, it makes an easy and interesting choice for a weeknight or casual gathering. Serve it a touch cool to lift the fruit and freshen the finish, and it slips comfortably into an evening with friends.