'MAAL' stands for 'Malbec As Alfredo Likes'. Not only does he like it, but we love it! This wine is from high altitude vineyards in Mendoza, it is fermented naturally in stainless steel, no oak is used so that all of those lovely Malbec flavours shine through. Lots of ripe brambly black fruit marries up 'biutifully' (see what we did there) with a touch of stone and minerality. This is an honest and pure expression of Argentina's darling grape.

MAAL Wines is a collaboration between close friends Alfredo Merlo (winemaker) and Matias Fraga (grape grower). Clever readers will realise that their skills lie perhaps with wine-related things, as opposed to creative names for businesses. Thankfully their wine skills are very good, and result in a set of wines that are dangerously easy to drink and look great too. All the wines are 100% single vineyard Malbec wines from their family and friend's vineyards in the Mendoza subregions of Lujan, Altamira and Vistaflores. MAAL was created in 2012 by these two pioneers, after both of them had accumulated years of experience around the world at other high quality wineries. From the Napa Valley to Gisborne in New Zealand, to various wineries in Argentina, their experience stood them in good stead to create something special. They have complementary skill sets as well, something that many wineries miss - not only innate understanding of vineyards, but the technical skills to craft the wines. Between the two of them, they've got this wine thing covered!