Winemaker Notes
Deep color, with a brilliant purple rim. An intense nose, with a fine, floral perfume
alongside the ripe red fruit. There are hints of undergrowth, graphite and smoked walnut too. The palate is rich and mouth filling, with smooth tannins that support the wine well. On the finish, alongside the floral and fruit flavors, mineral complexity lingers.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Fresh and racy, but also deep, with soft-spoken complexity, delineating baked licorice, black cherries and blueberries. Some chalky raspberries, too. Just medium-to full-bodied with a beautiful delivery of tannins. Polished and compact. Elegant and nervy.
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.