Winemaker Notes
An intensely dark wine with touches of fuchsia on the rim. This generous Malbec brims with aromas of black and red cherry, blueberry cheesecake and spice box. The palate is concentrated and bright, cascading with focused flavors of brioche, fresh red plum, dark chocolate and nutmeg supported by fine-grained tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is one of the wines in a joint venture between Bertrand Vigouroux of Cahors and California winemaker/consultant Paul Hobbs. It is rich without ever being too firm or extracted. The fruits are right there along with vibrant acidity and plenty of room for the wine to open up.
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Wine Spectator
A plush but powerful style, with layers of raspberry puree, ripe cherry and licorice notes detailed by floral, cocoa powder and spice accents. Hot stone, olive and herb hints echo on the finish. Drink now through 2021.
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.
Within the Southwest of France, this is the one region outside of Argentina that is today almost exclusively dependent on Malbec. Locally the variety is called Cot, and makes a dense, earthy and black fruit dominant red wine. Both the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean both have a strong influence on the climate of this region.