Winemaker Notes
Pairs well with lamb, red meats, game and is a great accompaniment to cheese boards.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Noemía is a wine produced with the Malbec grapes from a 1.5-hectare plot of vines that was originally planted ungrafted in 1932 and has been farmed organically and biodynamically since 2006. The vines are surface-irrigated three to five times per year. The 2015 Noemía is from a slightly warmer and riper year than the 2016 (which I also tasted next to this). The grapes are picked by soil type (sand, sand and small stones, clay and lime) at different points in time. It fermented in 2,500-liter custom open-top oak fermentors with 10% to 15% whole clusters and natural yeasts, and the wine matured in 600-liter oak demi-muids for 18 months. The 2015 Noemía is expressive and open, with slightly darker fruit, some graphite notes, hints of spices and smoke, a touch of varnish and slightly more noticeable oak than the 2017 I tasted next to it. It has a slight earthiness on the palate along with some dusty tannins and deep flavors with some chalky tastiness and a dry finish, ending almost salty. 3,600 bottles were filled unfiltered in December 2016.
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James Suckling
Aromas of chocolate, berries and spices with hints of smoke and meat. Full-bodied, juicy and flavorful. Long and intense. Love the blueberry character at the end. Drink now.
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Wine Spectator
Plush and well-spiced, with creamy flavors of dark currant, berry and plum tart that are flanked by notes of dried meat. The rich finish of fig paste and black olive has plenty of minerality as well. Drink now through 2024.
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.