Winemaker Notes
Blackberry, black cherry and licorice aromas are complicated by bitter chocolate, menthol, black pepper and nutty oak. Juicy and energetic in the mouth, with well-integrated acidity and a black peppery pungency giving the wine plenty of definition. Energetic wine with fine-grained tannins and good back-end focus and lift.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This large winery in Mendoza, Argentina makes numerous wines under the Maipe, Chakana and Cueva de las Manos labels. Almost all of them represent good values. The more expensive cuvees include the 2013 Chakana Malbec Estate, a 100% Malbec from the finest vineyards. Aged in both new and one-year-old French oak for 18 months, it reveals a deep plum/ruby/purple color, sweet blackberry and white chocolate notes intermixed with cassis and licorice, medium body, a velvety texture and a lush personality.
Most distinguished and celebrated from Argentina’s Mendoza, Malbec has seen runaway success since the early 2000s. Mendoza’s agreeable, continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters allows the perfect conditions for growing outstanding Malbec. This grape is easy to like for its lusty, deep flavors and aromas of blackberry, plum, red cherry, autumn spice and tilled earth. It’s easy to find delicious, fruit-driven, affordable everyday examples and in prices beyond, quite exceptional ones with dense, supple textures that make them capable of aging.
AUT13CHAKAMALBEC_2013 Item# 143510