Winemaker Notes
Brick red in color. Rustic nose, with tremendous depth - resinous strawberries, tilled soil, and bing cherries. On the palate, the wine opens even more, with more berry flavors and hints of mint and caramel. Finishes soft, with supple tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Malbec is also from Perdriel in Luján de Cuyo. Everything here ferments with indigenous yeasts and the wines mature in well-seasoned oak barrels. A traditional, old-style winemaker who is a keeper of the traditions. As he's now selling younger wines like this one, the nose is quite fresh with grapy aromas and notes of red currants that are quite bright and fruit-driven. The palate is medium-bodied and has good acidity that provides liveliness and a tasty finish. A naked, noteworthy Malbec.
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.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.