Winemaker Notes
The balance of a silky and crystalline voice Born of two creators motivated by interlaced passions: Marcelo Pelleriti, winemaker and musician Pedro Aznar, musician and sommelier.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A rich and juicy wine with chocolate and berry character. Full body, soft and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Gorgeous and sexy. A blend of malbec and cabernet franc
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Octava Alta is produced with grapes from Vista Flores and La Consulta from the Valle de Uco, and also a blend of grapes, as it's Malbec with 20% Cabernet Franc. It fermented in French barrels that are rolled to have a gentle extraction with manual punching down and indigenous yeasts. The élevage in barrique lasted 18 months and only 10% of the barrels were new. Heady, aromatic, ripe without excess, very showy, with nicely integrated oak. The palate is medium to full-bodied, dense and juicy. The result is a powerful, intense, yet elegant, balanced and fresh wine.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
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.