Bodega Noemia de Patagonia A Lisa Malbec 2015

Professional Ratings

• 93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2015 A Lisa is mostly Malbec with some 9% Merlot and a 1% pinch of Petit Verdot, a wine that shows the potential of Río Negro in Patagonia and the style of Noemía at a very attractive price and at the same time is easy to drink. 2015 seems to be an excellent vintage in the region, and this wine, which only saw 30% of its volume in neutral, well-seasoned oak barrels while the rest was kept in stainless steel for some nine months, shows a balance and freshness that can compete with the fines vintages produced. In his search towards elegance, finesse and drinkability, this vintage shows a profile that would be somewhere between Burgundy and southern Rhône, with a mixture of flowers and red cherries, insinuating, whispering, with a polished palate. It's sapid, tasty, almost salty, with ultra-elegant tannins and superb balancing acidity that makes it extremely harmonious; this is only 13.5% alcohol, one of the lowest--if not the lowest ever--but the thing is the balance, not the alcohol, which is unnoticeable in all the wines. This may very well be the best A Lisa ever, but from what I hear, 2016 could be the best harvest for Noemía as a whole, so I'm dying to taste the wines in bottle... One to buy by the truck load! 90,000 bottles were filled in early 2016. He's going to change the bottle to a Burgundian one from 2017, as he thinks it would better represent the character of the wine.
• 92 James Suckling
  Aromas of cool earth, dried mushroom and dark fruits follow through to a full body, tight tannins and savory finish. Drink now.