Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Alamos Selección Malbec is the pinnacle of our portfolio and goes beyond the expected. Featuring Mendoza’s signature grape, it comes from special blocks in our favorite vineyards. Our 2016 Selección Malbec bursts with ripe dark fruit character including aromas and notes of plum and blackberry. Those meld with tones of violets, brown spice and pepper, all framed gracefully by rich, subtle oak. The refined structure and supple mouthfeel add depth and lusciousness and lead to a full, luxurious finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A very fresh and spicy nose with plenty of brambleberries, violets, baking spices, vanilla and cloves. Full body, tight yet velvety tannins, no shortage of plummy fruit and a fresh yet long finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Alamos Selección Malbec shows some more concentration and a deeper color than its siblings. It's pure Malbec from different vineyards in the Valle de Uco, a zone that saw a cool and wet season in which the vines behaved quite well. The palate reveals some grainy tannins that would welcome some food.
Rating: 90+
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.