Oddbins Norton Torronts 2002, 13%, £4.99.

Region - Mendoza.

Delicate and spring fresh floral perfume and grapiness delivers clean refreshing dry grapey flavours that only concentrate on the finish.

Makes the perfect aperitif. This is a wine that can really put torronts on the map. Well structured, well made and well, simply good wine. It's not all chardonnay and sauvignon blanc out there try it!

Oddbins Fabre Montmayou Malbec 1997, 13.5%, £6.99.

Region - Mendoza.

Refined aromas of soft black cherry and berry fruit studded with warming spice leads to a well balanced palate of juicy black cherry with still fresh and supple spiced up tannins.

Bordeaux meets Argentina The marriage of old vines, French winemaking techniques and new technology has been a fruitful one.

Windermere Wine Stores Medrano Malbec 2001, 13%, £5.95.

Region - Mendoza.

Soft, deep and spicy aromas of juicy cherry and plum with just a hint of mint serve up a mouthful of smooth, rich plum and cherry fruit before gently spiced, soft and finely integrated tannins with a hint of dark chocolate.

Excellent value for money. Deliciously structured and succulent wine don't miss it.

Booths Laraos Malbec 2001, 12.5%, £3.89.

Region - Mendoza.

Spiced damson aromas develop whiffs of smoke and chocolate before offering a light but juicy fruit mouthful with gathering damson and black cherry flavours on the finish.

Good value for money and a good light introduction to a new world malbec still holding on to its old world roots.

Co-op Etchart Torronts 2001, 13.2%, £3.99.

Region - Salta.

Aromatic floral whiffs of soft ripe apricot can't hide drier fruit flavours that have an almost fino sherry slant with a mild green olive and salty tang on the finish.

A drier than normal torronts with a definite briny edge that really does need food to fully compliment its savoury flavours.

Co-op Argento Malbec 2002, 13%, £4.99.

Region - Mendoza.

Packed full of soft blackberry aromas with a mild vanilla wood edge and hint of chocolate bursts into the mouth as fresh blackberry fruit with lingering young but smooth tannins.

Good value for money. Such a baby-faced malbec that's approachable already, but will continue to concentrate its flavours over the next couple of years.

Morrisons Argentina Toronts 2001 (Organic), 12.5%, £4.49.

Region - Famatina Valley.

Floral and grapey aromas take on a slight apricot and citrus edge before offering dry to off-dry flavours of fresh firm apricots with an orangey citrus tang and earthiness on the finish.

Morrisons Norton Malbec 2002, 13.5%, £4.99.

Region - Mendoza.

Soft and plentiful aromas of blackberry with side scents of spice delivers ripe blackberry fruit with silky supple tannins and hint of bitter chocolate on the finish.

Good value for money this could never offend and has become the torch for Argentinean malbec. A winner with any type and style of red meat dish.

Marks & Spencer Rio Santos Torronts 2002, 12.5%, £3.99.

Region - Famatina Valley.

Bunches of fresh green grape aromas lead to dry St Clement citrus flavours before a final burst of grape and fresh ginger.

Good value for money that is definitely drier than the nose suggests a lighter style with a refreshing tingle.

Marks & Spencer Rio Santos Malbec 2001, 13%, £4.49.

Region - Famatina Valley.

Deep warm spiced aromas of sweet edged black cherry becomes increasingly soft and juicy on a lightish palate with easy drying spiced tannins.

Good value for money and another that is lighter in style and although a little candied still has characters of Argentinean malbec a good starting point.

Asda Argentinean Torronts 2001, 12.5%, £3.51.

Region - Famatina Valley.

A fresh grape and floral perfume with refreshing hints of lemon and lime become drier on the palate in a tropical fruit mix laced with lime and grapey flavours.

Good value for money very light and very lunchtime garden glugger.

Asda Far Flung Malbec 2001, 13%, £4.51.

Region - Mendoza.

Scents of leather and warm spice with deeper juicy berry and cherry aromas gather to a fruity medley of berry and cherry flavours backed with spiced young tannins.

A good introduction that may seem a little aggressive but its assertive tannins turn fruit gum juicy at the finish if you give them a chance.

May 29, 2003 10:31