Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Malbec Reserva is sourced from Vista Flores and Chacayes in the Valle de Uco where they look for calcareous soils on the alluvial terraces of the Arroyo Grande river. The wine matured in untoasted 3,500-liter oak foudres for 18 months. The wine has the bright red fruit and unnoticeable oak profile of the wines from Altos las Hormigas. It is very fresh and shinny in a vintage like 2013. There are raspberries, wild strawberries and red currants, with subtle spices and a medium-bodied palate with very fine tannins and great acidity that makes it really easy to drink and pleasant. Great Malbec at a very attractive price.
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.
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.