Sweet, toasty black-fruit nose, hedonistic. Fleshy yet concentrated and with grip. Mighty yet not too heavy. Good length.

Carlos Pulenta used to run Trapiche and now that he’s on his own, we should keep on the lookout for his rich, ripe Malbecs and red blends from the Vistalba zone of Mendoza. This heavyweight contains Malbec, Cabernet and Bonarda, and it’s a brawny, ripe, creamy sort of wine with plenty of berry and dark plum character. Very nice now but not quite spectacular; our bet is that it will get better in future vintages. ——M.S.(5/1/2007)—— 89