DiamAndes Perlita 2019

crushed red and black berries, with subtle Provencal herbs, olive and bacon

DiamAndes is one of seven wineries created by a group of Bordeaux chateau owners who, upon the advice of Michel Rolland, purchased 2100 acres of land in 1998. They market themselves collectively as the Clos de los Siete, and all use the jet setting oenologist Rolland to oversee the winemaking. DiamAndes was created by Alfred-Alexandre Bonnie, who actually named the estate for his perspective on Mount Aconcagua, which when reflected off of the pond in front of the winery looks like a diamond. Bonnie also owns the well-known Château Malartic-Lagravière, a Grand Cru Classé de Graves, as well as Château Gazin Rocquencourt, in Pessac-Léognan. They farm 321 acres of vineyards, 303 dedicated to red varieties and a small piece, 27 acres, planted to white varieties.

All of the Clos de los Siete wineries have similar structure; a less expensive wine that is typically a blend, a middle tier Malbec and a Grand Vin that is a blend of their best grapes. By far my favorite of the seven wineries is DiamAndes and their Perlita blend, a mix of 80% Malbec and 20% Syrah, is a great demonstration of the appeal of these wines. The nose is a heady melange of fresh crushed red and black berries, with subtle Provencal herbs, olive and bacon notes from the Syrah. Then on the palate it is full and rich, but the tannins are very soft and disappear into the finish. Drink 2024-2026 with slow braised short ribs this rainy weekend or with a sausage and white bean cassoulet.