Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
This polished Argentine red has lots of spice and fruitcake notes up front, followed by an ample core of raspberry ganache, fig bread and mocha. The long, well-rounded finish lingers with poise, despite the overall concentration. Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2012.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2006 Privada is a blend of 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot, and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 16 months in new French oak. Deep crimson-colored, it reveals a classy perfume of pain grille, mineral, pepper, vanilla, plum, cassis, and black cherry. On the palate it has layers of smooth-textured, savory black fruit, a firm structure, excellent depth, and a lengthy, pure finish. It will evolve for 2-3 years and be at its best from 2011 to 2019.
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Wine Enthusiast
Dark, smoky and meaty, with touches of moss, leather and chocolate that should knit together even better in the not-too-distant future. As stated on these pages many times, Privada, a blend of Malbec, Cabernet and Merlot, is one of those overachieving wines that will thrill novices and experts alike. In the mouth, flavors of cola, blackberry and clove are all dandy, and the finish of more clove, spice and espresso is a winner.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
With vineyards tretching along the eastern side of the Andes Mountains from Patagonia in the south to Salta in the north, Argentina is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic wine producing countries—and most important in South America.
Since the late 20th century vineyard investments, improved winery technology and a commitment to innovation have all contributed to the country’s burgeoning image as a producer of great wines at all price points. The climate here is diverse but generally continental and agreeable, with hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters—a positive, as snow melt from the Andes Mountains is used heavily to irrigate vineyards. Grapes very rarely have any difficulty achieving full ripeness.
Argentina’s famous Mendoza region, responsible for more than 70% of Argentina’s wine production, is further divided into several sub-regions, with Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley most noteworthy. Red wines dominate here, especially Malbec, the country’s star variety, while Chardonnay is the most successful white.
The province of San Juan is best known for blends of Bonarda and Syrah. Torrontés is a specialty of the La Rioja and Salta regions, the latter of which is also responsible for excellent Malbecs grown at very high elevation.