Winemaker Notes
Very intense violet red with black shadows. Extremely intense and attractive. Ripe, intense, complex and very typical, with notes of jams. Very fine. Sweet entry as expected in a good mature Malbec. With excellent balance between wood, fruit maturity, and concentration. Very long wine with an elegant finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Ripe blue and black fruit on the nose, like baked plums and black cherries, plus hot chocolate, pine needles, cloves and nutmeg. It’s full-bodied, plush and broad-shouldered, with firm, velvety tannins. Big, dense and bold 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.
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.