An Argentine Red for a Mexican Vacation
 James Laube - Wine Spectator
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December 20, 2009
My cousin’s husband Michael insisted that Mezzogiorno, a small Italian restaurant in the Mexican village of Bucerias, north of Puerto Vallarta, was as good as any Italian restaurant he’d eaten at. So while vacationing in the area earlier this month, I made a point of checking it out, and the restaurant turned out to be a delight.
Mezzogiorno sits on the water in a romantic if rustic setting, and the food is excellent (especially the lasagna and fresh dorado), providing a nice change of pace from the daily Mexican cuisine built around frijoles, rice, tortillas, lettuce and tomatoes. I didn’t expect much from the wine list, but held out hope (at least for a few choice Italian reds), eager for a break from beer and margaritas.
The list had about 50 wines, with the selection anchored by some nice Argentine reds. I opted for the recently released Alamos Malbec 2008, from the Luján de Cuyo area of Mendoza, for 365 pesos, or about $33; Wine Spectator has reviewed previous vintages of Alamos wines, owned by the Catena family, quite favorably.
The Malbec added just the right touch of richness, spice and complexity to give the dinner another dimension. I rated it 90 points, non-blind, and drank another glass the next day for lunch with a slice of leftover lasgana. It held up nicely.
Alamos Malbec Mendoza 2008
Made by the Cantana Family. Deep rich color and taste of rich berries and dark fruits. Full bodied wine with a long finish. Hint of spice and notes of vanilla. |
Vallarta Weddings
Entertainment | Restaurants & Dining | December 2009 
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