There is a new top-of-the-range red, the 2012 Las Notas de Jean Claude, which is a blend of mainly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from their vineyard in San Pablo in the Uco Valley at some 1,300 meters altitude, fermented in inox and matured in French oak barrels for one year after malo also in barrique. The name is a homage to their winemaking consultant, Jean-Clade Berrouet. The nose is quite subtle, with good ripeness but without excess and integrated oak, with some sweet spices. It's subtle and elegant, quite a change from the rest of the range. The blend of grapes erases the varietal character and there is complexity beyond that of the grape. The medium-bodied palate is very polished with ultra-fine tannins and good acidity making for a very harmonious, and sleek texture through the long and elegant finish. I'd have difficulties placing this in Argentina, and I'd probably go to Bordeaux. This is a great blend. I'm impressed, this is very different for what I've tasted before form Tapiz. 12,000 bottles.

One of Argentina's few high-end Merlots, this opens with maple, toasty oak and deep berry aromas. With 9% Petit Verdot and Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc mixed in, this feels juicy, ripped and eminently healthy. Flavors of coffee, blackberry and cherry are deep and pure, while this avoids being overweight by tipping the scales at 13.9% abv. Drink through 2022.