La Posta Bonarda

La Posta Bonarda is a 100% Bonarda red wine from Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at approximately 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from nearly 60-year-old vines, this expression has earned 92 points from Descorchados and 91 points from both James Suckling and Vinous, establishing it as one of the strongest values in Argentine red wine.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13.5%  |  Origin: Mendoza, Argentina  |  100% Bonarda  |  Winery: La Posta (Laura Catena)

Production & Heritage

La Posta was created by Laura Catena, one of Argentina's most influential winemakers and head of the Catena Zapata family. The Bonarda bottling is sourced from Estela Armando's family vineyard in the Guaymallén sub-region of northeastern Mendoza, where vines approaching six decades of age produce concentrated, expressive fruit. The wine is aged for 10 months — 50 to 70 percent in second- and third-use French oak barrels, with the remaining portion held in stainless steel to preserve bright fruit character and acidity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: An intense ruby color in the glass gives way to a flamboyant nose of freshly crushed red and black raspberries. Behind the fruit, subtle layers of sandalwood, smoky oak, and floral notes emerge with air.

Taste: The palate opens with juicy, mouthwatering red berry fruit — raspberry leads, followed by ripe cherry and blackberry at mid-palate. As the wine develops, flavors of leather, smoky spice, and dark chocolate add depth, supported by a full body and lively acidity that keeps everything structured and fresh.

Finish: The finish is smooth and medium-long, with lingering notes of dark chocolate, sandalwood, and a faint leathery warmth. Fine-grained tannins from the used French oak provide gentle grip without heaviness.

How to Drink La Posta Bonarda

This wine shows best at a slight chill — around 60–64°F — and benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of air after opening. Its generous fruit and moderate tannins make it versatile across several serve styles.

• Neat with food: The wine's balance of fruit intensity and acidity makes it a natural partner for grilled meats, the classic Argentine pairing.
• Sangria: The exuberant berry character and smoky undertones create an excellent base for a red sangria with stone fruit and citrus.
• Kalimotxo: The juicy, fruit-forward profile and moderate tannins hold up well in this simple red wine and cola combination, a crowd-pleasing warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Introducing wine drinkers to Argentine varietals beyond Malbec
• Weeknight grilling sessions where you want a bold but approachable red
• Building a themed tasting flight of South American reds
• Gifting someone who enjoys fruit-driven wines like Zinfandel

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Posta Bonarda taste like? It is a fruit-forward red dominated by crushed raspberry and blackberry, with supporting notes of dark chocolate, leather, smoky spice, and sandalwood on a full-bodied, juicy palate.

How does La Posta Bonarda compare to California Zinfandel? Both wines share a generous, fruit-driven profile with berry-dominated flavors and moderate spice, making them natural alternatives at the table. La Posta Bonarda tends to show higher natural acidity and a leaner tannic structure than many Zinfandels, with distinctive sandalwood and leather notes in place of Zinfandel's typical jammy, peppery character.

Is La Posta Bonarda good for beginners? Yes — its approachable berry fruit, smooth tannins, and lack of heavy oak make it an accessible entry point for anyone exploring Argentine wine or fuller-bodied reds in general.

Where is La Posta Bonarda made? La Posta Bonarda is produced in Mendoza, Argentina, with fruit sourced from the Armando family's vineyard in the Guaymallén district of northeastern Mendoza. The winery was founded by Laura Catena of the renowned Catena Zapata family.

What foods pair well with La Posta Bonarda? Grilled Argentine-style steak (asado) is the benchmark pairing, as the wine's acidity cuts through rich fat. Wood-fired pizza with sausage and roasted peppers complements the smoky oak notes. Slow-braised short ribs mirror its dark chocolate and leather undertones. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego echo the wine's savory depth. Empanadas filled with spiced beef highlight the berry and spice interplay.

What sizes does La Posta Bonarda come in? La Posta Bonarda is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is La Posta Bonarda worth the price? La Posta Bonarda positions squarely in the everyday-to-mid-range value tier, yet it consistently scores 90 to 92 points from respected critics — a performance level that many wines at significantly higher price points struggle to achieve.

Why La Posta Bonarda?

The most compelling case for this wine starts in the vineyard: nearly 60-year-old vines from the Armando family's plot in Guaymallén deliver a concentration and complexity that young-vine Bonarda simply cannot match. Laura Catena's decision to blend French oak aging with stainless steel fermentation preserves the grape's inherent vibrancy while layering in subtle smoke and spice. With 92 points from Descorchados and 91 from both James Suckling and Vinous, the wine punches well above its weight class in critical acclaim. For drinkers looking beyond Malbec for an authentic expression of Argentine terroir, this Bonarda makes a persuasive argument.