Bodega Tapiz Retrato de Jean Claude (Left Bank Blend) 2017 Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 75cl

Retrato de Jean Claude is the second wine the celebrated Jean-Claude Berrouet has crafted for Bodega Tapiz, and its mirror image. Where his Las Notas looks to Merlot, this Retrato is the Left Bank portrait, with Cabernet Sauvignon firmly in the lead.

Cabernet Sauvignon dominates at well over half the blend, framed by Cabernet Franc, a touch of Merlot and a little Petit Verdot. The grapes come from Tapiz’s sustainably farmed estate high in San Pablo, in the Uco Valley, where altitude and cool nights keep the fruit both fresh and firm.

The 2017 is presented as a structured, cellar-worthy wine. Specific detail on the growing season is thin in our records, so we describe the wine itself rather than guess at the year. It is built to reward patience more than a quick pour. A good hour in the decanter now brings out its Bordeaux poise.

Expect concentrated black fruit, a powerful frame and firm, well-drawn tannins, the hallmark of a Left Bank style. It is muscular now and will soften and gain complexity over several years, its high-altitude freshness keeping the whole in balance.

For drinkers who love Cabernet-led Bordeaux blends, this is a compelling New World answer from a true master. Decant well ahead, serve at around 17 to 18 degrees, and pair with roast beef, venison or grilled red meat. If you love the Cabernet of the Medoc or Pauillac, this high-altitude Argentine reading feels both familiar and fresh, a wine to open for a proper meal rather than a casual glass.