Belasco de Baquedano Swinto Old Vine Malbec 2018
Winemaker Notes
Belasco de Baquedano is the Agrelo district of Lujan de Cuyo. The vineyards soar up to 3,346 feet, where the conditions are excellent to produce elegant yet powerful premium wines. Warm days are offset by cool nights with as much as a 45°F diurnal swing, which produces aroma and flavor, while holding acidity.
We have 222 acres of 100 year old Malbec from the original French clones and our viticultural methods are green, with irrigation fed by snow melt.
The wines are gravity driven table to tank, using délestage (submerged cap) tanks in fermenting red wine with skins and seeds for excellent fruit, soft tannins and deep color. Our wines are bottled unfiltered and unstabilized in the traditional artisan style to preserve subtle aromas and flavors, while promoting richness, body and color.
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.