New Line - Bodegas La Guarda from San Juan

At the recent International Wine Fair I did a complete tour of the wines of Argentina and am happy to confirm that the range continues to impress and grow. Of particular excitement to me this year were the wines of the Bodegas La Guarda, based in the San Juan province. We already stock the very popular Xumek Syrah, and I have been on the look out for more San Juan Syrah as this is a varietal that is fast becoming the flagship of the region. As such, I approached the La Guarda stand with great expectations and am very pleased to say I was not disappointed.

Bodegas La Guarda wines are produced in the Tulum Valley. The area is 750m above sea level and features 300 days of annual sunshine, a 20 degree centigrade temperature range, and only 150mm of annual average rainfall. These factors allow almost guaranteed ripening of the grapes, but a pace that allows for the development of flavours (phenolics) that differentiate premium wines from mass produced wines.

There are two ranges we will be stocking, the La Noche de San Juan range and the El Guardado line. The latter is the Premium Line, with a 100% Syrah and a 100% Malbec range, aged between 6 and 12 months in French oak. Both of these wines are super concentrated, with great smoothness and depth, and a fascinating complexity. The La Noche range, aged 6 months in American oak, has been designed to "express the identity of the province".  There's the fruit that you expect from Argentine wines but also lots of rich frangrances in the glass and fantastic, smooth elegance on the palate.

We first delivery is due in at the end of the month, but you can ring or use the website to reserve a case which we will deliver on arrival.

I hope you will enjoy these wines as much as I did.

Giles