Antucura Malbec 2013
Winemaker Notes
For Anne-Caroline Biancheri, the idea of starting a family represented the decision to undertake a life conceived from the values, landscapes and aromas with which she wanted to see her children grow up. She started with land. Looking for such a place, she discovered Vista Flores, in the Uco Valley of Mendoza. This privileged area of incomparable beauty, framed by the Andes mountains, offers the best climatic and geographical conditions to create emblematic wines. There, Antucura began to take root in the land of the original inhabitants of the area. A place where stones embrace vines on its rich terroir. Antucura means “Sun Stone”, according to the local ancient language Mapudungun.
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.
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.