Bodega Poesia is a project created by Hélène Garcin-Lévêque and her husband, winemaker Patrice Lévêque. With their multiple properties throughout Bordeaux (Clos l’Église Pomerol, Barde-Haut, Haut Bergey and Branon) the next logical move for them, as for many Bordeaux families, is to establish a winery in South America. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec flourish in Argentina. Founded in 1998, Bodega Poesia has quickly established itself as one of the top producers of Malbec, under the guiding hand of Patrice Lévêque with the marketing acumen of Hélène Garcin-Lévêque. The 2009 Bodega Poesia “Cuvée Hélène” is one step down from their flagship wine, which is named Poesia. The “Cuvée Hélène” is a stunning wine that, like a fine Bordeaux, benefits by spending a little extra time in the bottle. Not a pop-and-pour wine, the 2009 Bodega Poesia “Cuvée Hélène” is a dark, brooding wine with graphite and cassis aromas on the nose. The palate is a dense collage of dark berries, baker’s chocolate, menthol, licorice and spice. It has great length, with fine tannins. This Argentinian beast should be paired with tri-tip, meat-lover’s pizza or other rich dishes that call for a bold red wine.