Vallisto Barbera

In 2016 Pancho Lavaque, alongside much-acclaimed consultant winemaker Marcelo Pelleriti started work on a much smaller, rather special range of wines, Vallisto. One of the only producers in Argentina to be producing this Italian variety – we saw, we tasted, we smiled, we bought! From the heady heights of Salta, Argentina, we were blown away by the intensity of flavour here, it has very strong blackberry, raspberry and blueberry notes. The vineyards are almost 2,000m above sea level so it’s very cool but very sunny too. Unlike any Italian Barbera you have tasted before, this has seen no oak so the fruit in the star of the show here. We’ve got some velvety smooth tannin and the finish lasts for days… well not actually days, but you get the idea.

Food Pairing – slow cooked red meat, mushroom dishes or blue cheese would be an ideal match here.