Dark purple-red color; dark fruits, black cherry nose; blackberry, black olive, chocolate, plum on the palate; not jammy, even somewhat austere, medium-plus tannins and acidity, smooth, full body, oak, minerals.
Bodega Septima is the seventh winery in the Codorniu Raventos family of wineries (Septima Obra means “seventh work” in Spanish). With more than 450 years of wine experience in Spain, Codorniu Raventos went all-in when it founded this winery in Mendoza, Argentina in 2001—ecological responsibility, a distinctive winery inspired by dry stone wall building techniques drawn from Argentine history, a cellar with capacity of three million bottles. Their stated mission: “To be a winery that stands out in every category of every competition for its enological history and quality, the elegance of its actions, and great value for money. To be highly profitable, and to be positioned among the top 20 Argentine exporters.” If you don’t aim high, you seldom get there.
This is distinctive, serious wine that is more challenging than your supermarket pop-and-pour malbec for less money; it plays in the arena of a serious cab, rioja, or Chianti. Nothing wrong with that or this wine, just wine newbies be forewarned. $17-25
Second photo: Winemaker Paula Borgo
Third photo: Septima Obra winery
