Escorihuela Gascon DON Malbec 2022

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant for 2 hours before serving. This is the flagship wine from Escorihuela Gascón, a Mendoza powerhouse that has been in business since 1884. As one of the 10 biggest exporters of Argentinian wine, Escorihuela Gascón is one of the most important wineries in the country and has received countless awards over the years, mostly for its Malbec wines. The DON Malbec shows an intense nose of plum, ripe strawberry, and black and blue hedgerow fruits. Secondary aromas of cocoa, oak, leather and vanilla hover in the background, gained from 16 months of ageing in French oak barrels. The grapes were harvested from a single plot of vines in El Cepillo Vineyard, in the heart of Uco Valley. The rich fruit scents carry over to the palate. Blueberry, blackberry, and plum mingle on the tongue, accented by a well-defined earthy side. It has a round and velvety texture, with finely-grained tannins and a sharp backbone of acidity. Hints of raspberry and strawberry jam appear on the long finish, with a bitter touch of oak. DON can be aged for a long time in the cellar and is ideal for pairing with rich, smoky meats, barbecue dishes, or mature cheese.

Price: £39.78 from 8wines UK