Winemaker Notes
Deep ruby red. Deep and dense with glossy blackberries, tar, dark chocolate, wet stones, seaweed and savory spices. On entry, there’s very pronounced saline character to the fruit, which is then framed by dense, polished tannins on the full-bodied palate.
Blend: 96% Malbec, 4% Semillon
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2021 Malbec Gran Reserva hails from a very old vineyard in La Consulta, in which, here and there, you'll come across Sémillon vines next to the Malbec. Aged for 24 months in new Burgundy barrels, it's purple in the glass. The complex nose features cherry, plum, violets, lavender and cedar (when I tasted it, it had only recently been bottled). Dry, light and juicy on the palate, it's all silky harmony, even with the plush tannins one finds in La Consulta. Bold as every Malbec should be, this is nonetheless a supremely nuanced wine from old vines; always a point of difference. Worth keeping an eye on.
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Wine Spectator
Distinctive, offering a burst of cherry cordial before adding cassis and peppery spices around brambly berry notes, with a layer of orange peel underneath. Ends with smooth tannins and generous savory herbs.
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.