TintoNegro Malbec Mendoza (75cl, 13.5%)

An Argentine Malbec from high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza's Primera Zona, produced by TintoNegro. Fruit is drawn from vineyards at approximately 3,000 feet elevation across Luján de Cuyo and Maipú; cooler nighttime temperatures and intense sunlight encourage later harvests, preserving natural acidity and building concentration. The wine is aged for six months in used oak barrels. The nose shows black cherry and ripe plum first, followed by subtle blueberry, dried herbs and a whisper of black pepper, with a gentle vanilla undercurrent from the used-oak ageing. The palate is plush and welcoming, with layers of dark fruit — blackberry, wild cherry and plum — at the mid-palate; cocoa and baking spice build toward the peak, balanced by vibrant freshness. Tannins are smooth and softly gritty. The finish is medium in length with lingering dried berry, tobacco and a faint chocolate sweetness, staying clean and fresh.