Introduction

VAV Tres Fincas comes to us from the Vistaflores Estate in Mendoza, Argentina's Uco Valley. The valley is a tiny subregion of Argentina's most famous wine region and is responsible for only about 10% of the area's wine, almost all of which is very high quality. VAV (which stands for Viñedos Altamira Valley) Tres Fincas is made from fruit sourced from the winery's three vineyard sites across the Uco Valley. It's a blend of high-altitude Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, aged for 14 months in French oak barrels. Vistaflores is the culmination of a long-held dream of creating the kind of wines that husband and wife owners Bill Smith and Jan Soderberg love to drink. An emphasis on site, careful vineyard practices, low yields, and quality above all, has resulted in this range of premium (read: delicious) wines. Enjoy this robust blend now or over the next five years at about 18 C.

---

How it looks

How it smells

Malbec's signature blueberry and blackberry jam are matched by Cabernet Sauvignon's blackcurrant and Syrah's peppery spice. The blend is expressive, bold, and fruit-forward but tempered by savoury notes of leather, tobacco, and oak from time in barrel.

How it tastes

Full bodied and plush, with ample tannin and fantastic texture. Blue and black fruit are at the core, but there are notes of dark chocolate and baking spices along with a savoury, earthy note. It's a big wine, but there's enough acid to keep it fresh and vibrant through the long, pure finish.

Recommended food pairing

Serve this big, bold red with a charcoal-grilled steak and sautéed mushrooms, or pair with a hearty braised beef stew.