Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Walnuts, chocolate, mulberries, spiced plums and wet tobacco on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. Velvety. Rich and layered with delicious spice and ripe dark fruit. Long, too. 100% malbec. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2018 Malbec Grand from the Uco Valley was fermented and aged in new barrels for 18 months. Purple in hue. The nose presents notes from the aging process such as vanilla and cedar along with sour cherry liqueur, country herbs, quince and figs, followed by a layer of dark fruit. Concentrated but preserving a little juice, the woody tannins keep things constricted at first before releasing the dark fruit flavor. Ending with a bold finish, this is a wine best drunk in five years time.
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.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.