Michel Torino’s flagship is Altimus. The 2004 Altimus MMIV is a blend of 40% Malbec, 20% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Bonarda. The wine was aged in new French oak for 18 months and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Inky purple-colored, it offers a splendid nose of pain grille, violets, pencil lead, plums, black cherry, and chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the wine has a plush texture, flavors of spicy black cherry, plums, and black currants which are nicely supported by ripe tannins. The wine reveals some complexity, and should further evolve with another 5-6 years in the bottle. It will provide pleasure through 2025. Michel Torino was founded in 1892. Located in the Cafayate Valley in northern Argentina, the estate owns 700 hectares of vines, most of it farmed organically. Their offerings include several Best Buys noted at the end of this report.Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; www.frederickwildman.com