Marcelo Pelleriti Sol Fa Soul Malbec 2021 Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 75cl

Sol Fa Soul is Marcelo Pelleriti’s music-inspired wine project, a nod to his other life as a guitarist, made with the same attention he brings to his flagship wines. It is one of the more personal labels in his stable.

This Malbec is grown in the high Uco Valley, the high-altitude district that has become the reference point for characterful Argentine Malbec. The cool nights preserve the freshness and the floral aromatics that mark out fruit from these altitudes, giving the wine lift as well as ripeness.

The 2021 is a youthful, expressive vintage. It is drinking well now, with plenty of primary fruit on show, and has the structure to settle further over the next year or two, so it is happy either opened young or given a little time.

Expect ripe red and black fruit, a lifted violet note and a firm, well-defined structure. The palate is bold and sappy, with enough grip to stand up to hearty food and a satisfying, fruit-led finish. Serve at cool room temperature, and a short decant brings out the perfume.

This is a sociable, full-flavoured Malbec for the grill and the table. Pour it with barbecued steak, chorizo, empanadas, burgers or a hard cheese. An easy recommendation for anyone who likes their Malbec bold, floral and food-friendly, with a good story in the bottle to match. It is as at home at a relaxed barbecue as at a weekend dinner, and makes an easy talking point for anyone curious about the winemaker behind it. Serve it with friends and hearty, flavourful food.