Winemaker Notes
Pairs well with poultry, red meats, veal and game.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The insultingly young 2015 J Alberto is the most backward of the three wines I tasted on this occasion. It comes from four hectares of vines planted in 1955 with an ungrafted massale field blend selection, mostly Malbec but with some 5% Merlot, what was planted at the time in Manqué, Río Negro. The vineyard has five separate plots that are managed and harvested differently, as they have different soil characteristics, all organically and biodynamically-farmed. It's also the one wine that shows a little bit of oak in the nose, but that note dissipated quite quickly in the glass. It has perfect ripeness, with a perfumed mixture of violets, red and black fruit, plums and a hint of olives and a spicy touch, showing a pleasant herbal twist, possibly from the Merlot after some time in the glass. Hans described it as a "rebel" within the portfolio, a wine with character, more powerful than A Lisa (one has a feminine name, the other one masculine...), changing with the year, a little capricious. It was fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in used barrels, with some 15% of the volume kept in egg-shaped Nomblot cement vats, which Hans thinks are different from the others, mainly the quality of the components, and are less porous. Hans thinks this is subdued, the first year he has been able to drive the wine in the direction he wanted rather than the wine taking the lead and going where it (he?) pleased. It has very good balance and elegance within its powerful personality, combining strength with finesse. Again, this could be the best J Alberto ever produced. 12,000 bottles were filled in January 2016.
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James Suckling
Very perfumed with slate, stone and dark fruit aromas. Blackberries. Full body, bright fruit. Light of dried citrus fruit underneath. Drink now.
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.
One of the most southerly regions on the globe for fine wine production, Patagonia has experienced extraordinary vineyard expansion since the early 2000s.
Patagonia vineyards occupy the lower foothills of the Andes at 1,000 to 1,600 feet. Here cold air drops at night from incredibly steep elevations—the Andes reach well over 15,000 feet in this zone—a phenomenon that produces drastic diurnal shifts. Cold nights contrasted with hot summer days produce grapes with striking color, full ripeness, great finesse and aromatic intensity.
Favored for its luxury brands, the Patagonia wine growing region of Argentina focuses on a diverse array of international varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillón and Viognier among the white grapes, and Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds.