2023 Tikal Patriota Mendoza

Ernesto Catena, 4th generation winemaker and son of Argentine wine revolution pioneer Nicolas Catena, founded Tikal to capture the spirit of Mendoza — pride, celebration, and the right amount of craziness. The family's been making wine for over a century, and every bottle is certified sustainable through Bodegas de Argentina.

The 2023 Patriota is a heritage blend — 60% Bonarda, 40% Malbec — from Tikal's La Consulta vineyard in the Uco Valley's oldest subregion. La Consulta is known for bold, structured reds with bright red-berry fruit. The Malbec comes from Vista Flores in Tunuyan, the Bonarda from Rivadavia, both from 58-year-old vines at an average elevation of 3,280 feet.

The 2023 vintage was warm, necessitating an early harvest to preserve freshness. Hand-harvested fruit was aged 12 months in 70% French and 30% American oak — 30% new, the rest second and third use. The result is a deep reddish-purple wine with aromas of bright berry and cherry, layered with raspberry, cocoa, and a hint of baking spice. Big-bodied, luscious, and balanced — the kind of wine that makes $40 Malbec feel overpriced.

James Suckling scored it 94 points: "Crushed blackberries, dried herbs, spices and flowers. A round yet fleshy and juicy delivery of malbec and bonarda, delivering richness as well as drinkability. Pretty long, too." Jeb Dunnuck added a 90. At $24.98, you're drinking the depth and structure Napa Cab drinkers pay double for.