My, how time flies! Judging by our past inventory reports, it’s been 12 years since we featured a wine from Bodega Atamisque in Argentina. Not only does that make me feel really old, but it means that their wines are long overdue for some love from our il Consorzio members. Founded in 2002 and located in Tupungato in the Mendoza province, this forward-looking winery, under the guidance of French winemaker, Phillipe Caraguel, makes a broad range of wines using sustainable methods in their 70 hectares of vineyards. The Serbal lineup is their entry-level tier but the wines are made with the same care and attention as the more expensive cuvees.

With the foothills of the Andes Mountains as a backdrop, the wines of Atamisque benefit from the poor soils of the district and the high elevations that make Mendoza such a unique and special winegrowing region. The Serbal Malbec featured here is sourced from 20-year-old vines located in San Jose, Tupungato and the Uco Valley. Planted at 4,300 feet in elevation in rocky, sandy alluvial soils, the wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks after a short ‘cold soak’ in order to extract more color and flavors. 40% of the wine is aged in second-use barrels, adding texture and softening the edges of this robust red. Its floral aroma and generous fruit flavors are supported by balanced acidity and a firm, dry finish, making it wonderful to pair with poultry, charcuterie, empanadas and various preparations of pork shoulder. I get hungry just thinking about it.