Tinto Negro Finca La Escuela La Grava 2017 Malbec — Mendoza, Argentina ($24.95)  (Releasing May 1)

Tinto Negro has an intriguing line of five Malbecs called Finca la Escuela—named for a rural school on the property. Each wine showcases the profile of its distinctive soil (since the winery keeps the harvest, winemaking and aging conditions the exact same for all five wines, only the soil accounts for any differences).

In this particular case, Grava refers to the patch of gravelly soil in the middle of the vineyard. The combination of small stones and a slightly warmer temperature have helped produce ripe fruit that blends between the red and black spectrum, with blackberry, graphite, violets and a little menthol on the nose. The palate—medium-full in body—is fairly complex, with a wet-stone sort of minerality lacing its way through the mix, no doubt imparted from the soil conditions.

Releasing tomorrow (May 1) in the LCBO, this should be universally appreciated by red wine fans, albeit leaner, fresher and a little less mouth-coating than many might be used to from Mendoza Malbecs. But if you appreciate sophistication, this is a good pick.

And given how much more integrated it seemed on Day Two of my tasting, I suggest decanting before you enjoy it. 91