Argentina is known primarily for malbec. Wineries such as Catena and Zuccardi offer subtly different expressions of it by exploring the various terroirs around Mendoza, planting vineyards higher in the mountains along alluvial fans left millions of years ago by melting glaciers.

But Argentina, the Mendoza region in particular, also produces fantastic chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, wines that tend to be overcrowded on the market by competitors from elsewhere around the world. There's also bonarda, known as charbono in California, that makes delicious, fun wines at reasonable prices.

This week's recommendations feature just a few wines from Catena and Zuccardi that demonstrate their exploration of Mendoza's various terroirs, while offering great value.

Our greatest value of the week is the Santa Julia Tintillo red 2018 from Sebastian Zuccardi. A blend of malbec and bonarda made by carbonic maceration (the technique best known in beaujolais), the wine is a throwback to the jug wines Mendoza used to make for domestic consumption in the asado restaurants of Buenos Aires. It is meant to fuel conversation, not be the subject of it. Bring on the empanadas and cue the tango music.

Zuccardi and Catena may be leading the climb, but they are not the only producers making fine wine from Argentina. Other labels to look for include Bramare and Felino, from California winemaker Paul Hobbs, as well as Mendel, Terrazas de los Andes, and various labels produced by Ernesto Catena.

Great Value

Santa Julia Tintillo Malbec-Bonarda 2018

Three stars

Mendoza, Argentina, $13

Intellectual wines can drive fascinating discussions of terroir and the meaning of life. But sometimes wine should just be joyful. That's what this one is - bursting with fruit and energy, the first sip ignites a party. Stock up on this for your house red this spring and summer. Alcohol by volume: 13 percent. This wine was previously exclusive to Whole Foods Market, but is receiving wider distribution with the 2018 vintage.

Great Value

Santa Julia Reserva Mountain Blend Malbec-Cabernet Franc 2017

Valle de Uco, Mendoza, $13

If Argentina makes you think of steak, here's a perfect wine for you. Bold and juicy, with flavors of plums, dark fruit and spice, it can stand up to big flavors of meat and char. The blend is 70-30, with malbec in the lead role. Terrific value for the price. ABV: 13 percent.

Catena Appellation Tupungato Chardonnay 2016

Three stars

Mendoza, $20

Catena produces two rare and expensive chardonnays, called White Bones and White Stones, from its Adrianna Vineyard in the Gualtallary area of the Tupungato. At well over 4,000 feet altitude, it is one of the highest vineyards in Mendoza. This appellation series wine comes from vineyards throughout Tupungato, and it delivers some of the same character, if not the intensity of the Adrianna wines. There's racy acidity and a firm mineral character embracing generous orchard fruit flavors and a dash of spice. ABV: 13 percent.

Catena Appellation La Consulta Malbec 2015

Three stars

Mendoza, $24

La Consulta is at the southern end of the Uco Valley in Mendoza province. Keep it in mind with Vista Flores and Paraje Altamira as some of the highest-altitude appellations from the region. (The town of La Consulta is at 3,300 feet altitude.) One could spend a very glorious evening sipping and comparing wines from these three areas. This wine speaks of both sunshine and earth, as if it reaches for the sky while remaining firmly rooted. The balance is superb, the fruit effusive, the texture supple. ABV: 13 percent.

Zuccardi Concreto Malbec Paraje Altamira 2017

Three stars

Mendoza, $40

Sebastian Zuccardi argues that aging wines in oak barrels disguises the true expression of the vineyard's terroir, its soils and climate. The new Zuccardi winery in the Altamira area of the southern Uco Valley is high in altitude at about 1,100 meters, or 3,600 feet, nearly as high as vineyards can be planted with hopes of consistently ripening a crop. This wine shows the effect of altitude in its elegance and acidity, and the seasoning from rocky soils in its black fruit flavors. The concrete aging gives it extra grip and texture. The lack of oak might prompt overzealous marketing types to call this a "naked" wine, but it's not a low-rent porn star; it's more like Michelangelo's David. ABV: 14 percent.

-- 3 stars: Exceptional; 2 stars: Excellent; 1 star: Very Good. Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.