Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Plenty of fruit on the nose with a nice reductive and peppery edge. Dark cherries and strawberries with spiced plums and violets. Firm, flavorful and medium- to full-bodied on the palate with tight, fine-grained tannins. Fresh, fruit-oriented finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The juicy and fruit-driven 2021 Malbec comes from all the different zones: 60% from Luján, 30% from Vallede Uco and 10% from eastern Mendoza, and the Luján part gave it a floral touch, making it aromatic, rich, classical Mendoza with 25% of the volume kept in concrete and the rest in neutral and well-seasoned 160- and 225-liter oak barrels for eight months. This represents around 60% of the volume of the winery and is their entry-level wine. It's ripe at 14.5% alcohol and has good acidity and freshness.
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.