Ataliva Malbec 2023

This Malbec's got a lot of life in it. Think juicy plums and cherries with a little whiff of something floral. It's made with grapes from the Uco Valley and hasn't spent ages in oak, so it's all about the fresh fruit. In this case it's not from winery's own vineyards, but from a group of small growers that Benegas have worked with for years. But don't worry, it's still a top-notch Malbec. Deep purple in colour, easy to drink, and seriously good value for the quality.

Perfect for a hearty steak, grilled fish with a touch of spice, or a rich, creamy pasta - a versatile choice for easygoing evenings.

Federico Benegas Lynch was born into a winemaking family, but it wasn't until after he'd forged a successful business career in the bright lights of Buenos Aries that he returned to Mendoza and bought Finca La Libertad, an historic 40-hectare vineyard with stony soils on the old Upper Mendoza riverbank in Cruz de Piedra. He quickly set about restoring the vineyard and the old winery attached, his idea was based on the traditional French Chateaux system. Today Bodega Benegas is a hybrid between museum and family home with extensive underground cellars where archives of vintages are kept - and where they make some exemplary wines.