Winemaker Notes
Bright opaque ruby color with violet reflections. Clean and compact aromas, delicate and not very expressive, with slight hints of fruit and smoke and with notes of recent aging. Good volume and freshness, consistent and honest palate. Compact with structure and good character, fine but firm tannins. Still young and fresh, with a consistent and fluid finish.
Blend: 60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A rich and juicy red on the nose with chocolate, dark berry and spice undertones. Medium to full body, round and soft tannins and a savory finish. Opulent style yet vivid and clean.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Ripe, earthy and oaky, as if it was from a different era, the 2012 Gran Corte is a blend of 60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Syrah that matured in new French oak barrels for two years. Time is rendering the fruit, while some tannins might remain. I think it's better to drink it up.
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Wine Enthusiast
Classic Uco Valley aromas of deep berry fruits are touched-up by cheesy oak that lends tobacco and vanilla to the nose. On the palate, this blend of Malbec, Syrah and Cab Franc is choppy, acidic and still raw after years in the bottle. Cherry, plum and raspberry flavors are Bordeaux-like, while staunch acidity returns on the finish. Drink through 2028—this will last for ages.
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Decanter
Ripe blackberry fruit and a touch of mint control your senses initially. On the palate, more maturity comes into play with tobacco leaf, forest floor, cedar wood, figs and dried black fruits. Powerful and full bodied but still displays freshness.
The name "Flechas de Los Andes" or "Andes arrows" refers to the 5 arrows, the symbol of the Rothschild family (symbolizing the five brothers at the origin of this dynasty of entrepreneurs). At the foot of the Andes, 120 km south of Mendoza, the Malbec variety rules as the king of this unique terroir. Flechas de los Andes is the result of an alliance between Baron Benjamin de Rothschild and Laurent Dassault, reflecting the fulfillment of their quest to find a great terroir at the base of the Andes. In the hot, dry climate of Mendoza, the Malbec vines seem to have found a special place to express themselves, in the pebble and gravel-strewn alluvial terrain at 1,100 m just at the base of the Andes cordillera. The utmost care, if not perfectionism, is given to vineyard operations in pursuit of the dual objectives of quality and environmental soundness. “French-style” viticultural work is carried out by an Argentine team that aims to obtain low yields and thus produce high quality grapes that are naturally concentrated and ripe.
Built in 2003 and operational since the April 2004 harvest, this Argentinian winery is a synthesis of the knowledge acquired from Baron Edmond de Rothschild and his partners’ experience in Bordeaux and around the world. Every harvest is handpicked, hand selected & vinified with the most modern equipment, to the highest quality standards. Out of this unique terroir, which enjoys a dry climate tempered by high altitude, and out of the owners’ passionate interest in the estate, a pure Argentinian Malbec has emerged. The Flechas vineyards now extend over more than a hundred hectares.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.