The Payada is a competitive composing and singing of verses native to Argentina, usually accompanied by guitar. The performer is called a Payador and in performance two or more payadores will compete to produce the most eloquent verse. Each answering questions posed by the other, often insulting.

El Payador is a contemporary and fruit driven Argentinian Malbec created in partnership with third generation Mendoza winemaker Jorge Daniel Falasco. The Falasco family owns 3,000 hectares of vineyards in many of the prime locations, including vineyards in premier sub-region ‘La Consulta’ in the ‘Uco Valley’ which is 1,100 metres above sea level and offers a perfect micro-climate for producing fresh fruit driven wines.

Wonderfully ripe and inviting, the bouquet shows dark plum, mulberry, anise and hazelnut characters with a hint of cocoa. It's beautifully weighted and supple on the palate, offering excellent fruit intensity and silky tannins, making it highly enjoyable. Price: $18.00; At its best: now to 2025; Rating: 93 Points; Sam Kim; Wine Orbit

It offers killer value. It's just so good to drink. It's leathery and berried with choc-malt characters applied in just the right measure. Character served clean. There's a dry ripple of tannin to the finish and a red licorice note to the aftertaste. It's one of those wines were you want to give it extra points for drinkability. So I did. Alcohol: 13%; Price: $18; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2020-2024; Rated: 90 Points; Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front