Back in familiar territory after a two-week trek around France. We could have gone a week longer, but if our web traffic last week served as any sort of gauge around these parts, it probably would have sunk our readership to double digits. So we are trying this bottle out, which is new to the site but not to us. A portmanteau of "Andes" and "the moon" this is a mid-level priced Mendoza that, according to their site, was "in contact with French oak barrels for a period of 3 months and then cellared in bottles for a minimum of 3 months."
Nose: Rich violet notes with clove mixed in. Quite floral at first, but the traditional Argentine blackberry note arrives as it sits, along with a bit of oak. Not too much change at the 30-minute decanting mark.
Palate: Comes in quite big on the blackberry and the oak arrives right behind it. Quite fruity on first sip. More oak with some time. Some strawberry and plum. Medium acidity and easy tannins. Approachable, with complexity running short.
Finish: As advertised on the palate. Medium-length with the oak lingering around longer as the fruit subsides.
A decent bottle. Nothing off-putting happening here, but nothing adventurous either. It's serviceable and would work at a restaurant if not too highly-priced.
$20
Bodega Andeluna