A im your powerful telescope towards South America. The direction of discoveries has changed. The conquistadors are coming from Argentina - and Chile.
I sla Negra echoes Argentina's connection to the hottest traditions of Italy. Zanettis are galloping on the green football fields, wearing Argentina's colours, and the grape the Italians call bonarda carries on the wave of black wines from Argentina.
A young wine - though Argentinians seem to be masters in that field - is very seldom this full, long, and conquering in taste. It has both the harshness and the power, based on the grape, that stays on in the taste-buds. But not quite the same wildness, liquorice or kick as in Lurton's Malbec or in Piè de Milonga. It has a more undulating and inviting posture. To those of us with some courage to receive a kick from a wine.
All of you admiring hoarse sounding singers like Tom Waits, Chris Rea, and especially today's Bob Dylan, should aim your eyes repeatedly towards the western part of the southern hemisphere. The time of the economy of taste-hammers is here now. Enjoy while it lasts.
"Linger and think when you sip - and sip again."