Opi Sadler has brought us the customer favourite ‘Waxed Bat’, now he presents the ‘Big Bat’. If you didn’t think a wine could get any richer, silkier and packed with luxurious layers of flavour, you were mistaken. But then, Opi is one of Argentina’s most internationally renowned winemakers and he adores the Cabernet Sauvignon grape.

To achieve such an ageworthy perfection, he selected grapes from the finest, high-altitude vineyards in Altamira, Uco Valley, ageing this grand red for 18 months in French oak barrels. This lends a spicy edge to the rich black fruits. Opi states that Argentina makes "undoubtedly the best Cabernet wines in the world". A big statement, but judging by this wine, he may well be right. An elegant, mature steak red.

Château Lafite’s Barons de Rothschild in France and world renowned Nicolás Catena from Argentina – Bodegas Caro Aruma Malbec 2021.

Aruma brings together small batches of wine made from tiny parcels of premium Ucó Valley grapes – from Altamira, El Peral and San José – to create a fine, silky and complex blend. Hand-harvested, high grown, old-vine grapes provide outstanding quality, while the absence of any oak maturation ensures the wine shows great purity of fruit from Ucó terroir. Velvety smooth and deeply fruity with beautiful floral notes, this mouthfilling stunner is a delight from first sip to last.

James Suckling is impressed – he gives it a stellar 93pts. He also gave its 2020 vintage an impressive 92pts and commented: "Perfumed yet focused nose with lots of violets and deep but fresh blueberries. Very pure”.

Like most Argentine Malbecs (and indeed many fine French wines), it will match your finest cut of beef beautifully. Decant and pour into large glasses so that its full magnificent flavours can be suitably appreciated.

Originally from Bordeaux, Hervé Fabre is now famous for his award-winning Argentine reds. His wines are indeed admirable, but it is the HJ Fabre GGG Malbec 2019 (GGG is Gran Grande Gualtallary in short) that is really special. A cool, high-altitude region in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, Gualtallary is garnering lots of recognition and a cult following for its amazing reds. On the nose, look forward to complex cherry, slate and dark chocolate – even just the aroma is completely mesmerising! On the palate, discover blueberries, plum, black pepper and oak on a long, layered finish. This is superb – a must-have for lovers of fine Argentine Malbec.

Originally a Bordeaux winemaker, Hervé Fabre is now famous for his award-winning Argentine reds. It’s not just the wines that win awards either. Hervé himself has been awarded Argentine Wine Producer of the Year at the 2017 International Wine & Spirit Competition and Red Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge 2018! Taste his talent for yourself with a bottle of his lavish HJ Fabre Reservado Cabernet Franc 2019.

96pts, Tim Atkin, 2022

94pts, James Suckling, 2022

93pts, Robert Parker, 2022