Casarena Naoki's Vineyard Malbec 2014
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Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Pair with slow-braised short ribs, bacon-wrapped dates, or spicy cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The fourth crop from new vines usually yields very concentrated juice full of flavors and aromas, as it's the first time the plant is able to produce enough grapes as the root system should be properly established and it feels like the plant has been waiting to express itself. It combines some herbal aromas with plenty of violets, very floral and aromatic. The palate revealed fine tannins and very good acidity and balance. The violets kept growing as the wine sat in the glass. Very showy. Quite impressive, especially for a warmer, riper year.
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Wine Spectator
Ripe, rich and robust, with a complex mix of ground coffee, chocolate and dark fruit flavors. Asian spice notes fill in midpalate. The finish that is loaded with cocoa powder and cream accents. Drink now through 2020.
Other Vintages
2020-
Suckling
James
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Parker
Robert
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Parker
Robert
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Parker
Robert
Casarena is forging a different path from the other wineries in Mendoza. Instead of searching for undiscovered terroirs in new places like the Uco Valley, it is discovering the hidden gems in its home region of Lujan de Cuyo—a place full of rich tradition, potential, and unique micro-terroirs. Casarena has purchased as well as planted vineyards in several distinctive sites, and they control all aspects of winegrowing and winemaking in order to maximize the flavor expression of these terroirs.
The name “Casarena” is a creative merging of the Spanish words “casa” (house) and “arena” (sand), and is a tribute to their restored 1930s winery made of sand-colored stone and the sandy soil that their estate is built on. All theses features gather together unbeatable height, climate and soil conditions to cultivate premium vineyards. The Wine Making team is headed by Michel Rolland.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.