Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
As per usual, Privada displays qualities beyond its price point. This version of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is smoky on the nose, with charcoal, minerals and toast capping crusty berry aromas. The palate is super ripe and healthy in feel, with baked blackberry flavors smothered in toasty oak and chocolate. Warmth, coffee and Port notes drive the finish.
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Wine Spectator
Dark and structured, this red leads with a smoky edge to its dense cassis, macerated plum skin and grilled fig notes, showing hints of anise, wild flowers and tar weaving through the long finish. Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Privada Blend is composed of 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is dark cherry-colored with abundant notes of smoked bacon and dark fruit aromas. The palate reveals a powerful, ripe wine, medium to full-bodied, with good structure and ripe acidity.
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.