Bodega Estancia Mendoza Malbec-Syrah Dralion 2016
Winemaker Notes
Estancia Mendoza Warehouse S.A. is located in the area of Tupungato, in the highlands of Mendoza. In this region, known as the Uco Valley and recognized as one of the best vineyards in the world, it is a privileged place for the cultivation of vineyards and the elaboration of high-end wines. Located at 1,100 meters above sea level, it has stony soils of good drainage, where the crops are rustic due to the harsh summer and the snowy winters, and receive the irrigation of the mineralized meltwater of the great Andes mountain range.
The hot days and the cool nights create the conditions for the thermal amplitude to reach 20ºC in a day, which combined with the constant solar irradiation in the austral spring and summer, provide the ideal conditions for the achievement of excellent grapes, mothers indisputable of a great wine.
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.