Ernesto Catena Almanerga M Blend Malbec 2019 Mendoza, Argentina 75cl

Ernesto Catena belongs to one of Argentina’s most influential winemaking families, and his Mendoza projects are known for an imaginative, characterful take on the region’s flagship grape rather than sheer power for its own sake. The Almanerga label sits among his more approachable, everyday wines.

The Almanerga M Blend is built on Malbec drawn from Mendoza fruit, the province that made this grape famous. It sits in the accessible, food-friendly part of the range, made to show the ripe, generous side of Argentine Malbec while keeping enough grip and structure to hold its own at the table.

The 2019 was released as an early to mid-drinking style. There is no benefit in holding it for years; it is at its best now, with the fruit fresh and the tannins already soft and approachable, so there is no need to wait before pulling the cork.

Expect aromas of dark berries, coffee and a walnut note, with a palate that runs from medium to full body. The tannins are chewy without being hard, and the wine closes on a juicy, mouth-watering finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. Serve it at cool room temperature, and a short decant helps it open.

This is an everyday-to-weekend Argentine Malbec, happiest alongside grilled red meat, burgers, empanadas or a hard cheese. If you enjoy a ripe, sociable Malbec with a bit of savoury depth, in the mould of a classic Mendoza red, it does the job without fuss or pretension. It suits a relaxed gathering as much as a quiet weeknight, and rarely disappoints on either count.