Winemaker Notes
Alberto goes very well with white meats and game, but is versatile enough even to work well with fish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I love the serious and balanced 2017 J Alberto, a single-vineyard bottling from a field blend that is mostly Malbec with some 5% Merlot. It fermented with 20% full clusters and natural yeasts for three weeks. It then had an élevage of 11 months, when 15% of the volume was kept in egg-shaped vats, 20% in concrete tanks and the rest in used barriques and demi-muids. It's a moderate 12.5% alcohol and seems to have less influence from oak and better freshness. It has bright acidity and is almost effervescent, with citrus freshness. It is light to medium-bodied with red berry, pomegranate and blood orange freshness. Hans Vinding Diers explained that the end of the fermentation was without skins (they pressed before it finished), which helped to polish the grainy tannins that this wine sometimes has. This is so easy to drink it could be dangerous! It's the lightest, freshest J Alberto I can remember. This is super! Rating: 94+
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.