Boutinot has been working with growers in Argentina for nearly two decades, constantly sourcing the best value from vintage to vintage. Winemaker Eric Monnin has been working tirelessly over the last few years to secure the best long term contracts for these important wines sourced from specific old vine estates in Mendoza. Recent vintages have really started to show the results of this long-term vision with regards to quality and value.

Mendoza is Argentina’s most important and renowned wine region, responsible for around 70% of the country’s wine production. Situated on the eastern side of the Andes, Mendoza benefits from a unique combination of altitude, sunlight, and dry conditions, making it ideal for viticulture.

The region’s high elevation – ranging from 600 to over 1,500 metres above sea level – moderates the hot, sunny climate, allowing grapes to ripen fully while retaining acidity. The Andes play a crucial role, providing irrigation through meltwater and shielding the area from Pacific weather systems. The semi-arid climate offers over 300 days of sunshine per year with minimal rainfall, reducing the risk of disease and allowing for precise vineyard management.

Mendoza is divided into several key sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, and the Uco Valley. Each has distinct terroirs influenced by altitude and soil composition. The Uco Valley, for example, is prized for its cooler climate and limestone-rich soils, producing elegant, high-quality wines.

Malbec is Mendoza’s flagship grape, celebrated for its deep colour, rich fruit, and velvety tannins. Other prominent varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Syrah, and increasingly, white grapes such as Chardonnay, Torrontés, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Malbec is a dark-skinned grape variety originally from southwestern France, particularly Cahors, where it was historically known as “Côt.” Once widely grown throughout Bordeaux as a blending grape, its plantings in France declined due to susceptibility to frost, coulure, and disease. However, Malbec found a new home in Argentina, where it has become the country’s flagship variety.

Viticulturally, Malbec thrives in warm, sunny climates with significant diurnal temperature variation, which helps develop rich fruit flavours while preserving acidity. The grape is vigorous, with large berries and thin skins, making it prone to rot in humid conditions but capable of producing deeply coloured wines in dry environments.

Globally, Malbec is most famously planted in Argentina’s Mendoza region, where high-altitude vineyards produce intensely flavoured wines with smooth tannins. It is also cultivated in Cahors, Chile, the United States (notably California and Washington), Australia, and South Africa.

In style, Malbec ranges from the rustic, tannic, and earthy examples of Cahors to the plush, fruit-forward wines of Mendoza. Typical flavours include ripe black plum, blackberry, and blueberry, often accented by cocoa, violet, and spice notes. Well-made Malbecs are full-bodied, with deep colour, supple texture, and a crowd-pleasing balance of fruit richness and structure.

Bonarda is a red grape variety with origins in Italy’s Piedmont region, where it is traditionally known as Bonarda Piemontese. However, its most famous incarnation today is in Argentina, where it has become the country’s second most planted red grape after Malbec. Interestingly, the Argentine Bonarda is genetically distinct from the Italian version, being identical to the French variety Douce Noir.

Viticulturally, Bonarda thrives in warm, sunny conditions and is prized for its late ripening, which allows for full flavour development while retaining bright acidity. It produces high yields if not carefully managed, so quality-focused growers often restrict vine vigour through pruning and canopy control. The grape’s thick skins contribute to deep colour, while its naturally moderate tannins make for supple, approachable wines.

Globally, Bonarda is found in limited quantities outside Argentina, with small plantings in California, Italy, and Switzerland. In Argentina, it is most prominent in Mendoza and San Juan, where it’s vinified both as a varietal wine and in blends.

Bonarda wines range from fresh, fruit-driven styles with notes of red cherry, plum, and raspberry to richer, oak-aged examples showing chocolate, spice, and floral hints. Its vibrant acidity and soft tannins make it versatile, pairing well with grilled meats and pasta dishes.