Winemaker Notes
This Single Vineyard wine comes from a newly discovered terroir - an untouched plateau rich with Indian cement that imparts a unique minerality to the usually fruity varietal.
On the nose, marked floral profile characteristics of this property, as well as the typical notes of the varietal: plums and fresh red fruit with floral notes and a subtle touch of spices from the local flora. A complex and balanced wine with a mineral texture and long finish.
Pair with slow-braised short ribs, bacon-wrapped dates, or spicy cheeses.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Racy red and blue berry fruit with grilled herbs, spices and a hint of graphite and mineral. Textured, medium- to full-bodied on the palate with polished, silky tannins and a juicy, ripe and energetic finish.
-
Vinous
The 2020 Malbec Single Vineyard Naoki, from Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, is made with grapes from a unique vineyard on the slopes of the Lunlunta Sierras. It was a third fermented in barrels before all of it was aged for 12 months in a fifth new barrels. Purple in the glass. The nose presents notes of herbs and fresh fruit, forest flowers and countryside aromas. Medium-bodied with refined, smooth tannins and a degree of volume, it’s juicy with a compact flow. A slightly chalky feel develops at the end. The joy of this wine is that it has managed to avoid overripeness in spite of the warm year.
Casarena is forging a different path from the other wineries in Mendoza. Instead of searching for undiscovered terroirs in new places like the Uco Valley, it is discovering the hidden gems in its home region of Lujan de Cuyo—a place full of rich tradition, potential, and unique micro-terroirs. Casarena has purchased as well as planted vineyards in several distinctive sites, and they control all aspects of winegrowing and winemaking in order to maximize the flavor expression of these terroirs.
The name "Casarena" is a creative merging of the Spanish words "casa" (house) and "arena (sand), and is a tribute to their restored 1930s winery made of sand-colored stone and the sandy soil that their estate is built on. All theses features gather together unbeatable height, climate and soil conditions to cultivate premium vineyards. The Wine Making team is headed by Michel Rolland.
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.