Winemaker Notes
Intense red with violet tones, very deep. Very intense and complex. Spicy notes,
nuts, delicate roasted pepper. Excellent wine, fills the mouth very well, powerful and with great firmness. It is shown as a typical long-aged wine.
Blend: 60% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has a perfumed and complex nose of sandalwood, tobacco, blackberries, black cherries, violets and spice box. Polished and deep, with a full body and firm, fine-grained tannins. Long and classy. Keeps going. Drink from 2024.
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Vinous
The 2019 Grand Vin is mostly Malbec with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot aged in half new barrels, where it was also fermented, for 18 months. Garnet red with a purple sheen. The slightly liqueur-like, herbal nose features dark fruit, blackberry and hints of chutney as well as prominent aromas from the aging process such as tobacco and cedar. Vigorous in the mouth with contained power and grippy but polished tannins, the mild freshness adds concentration without overdoing it.
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.