Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 El Alto Parcel Malbec comes from a 2.70-hectare plot in Finca El Alto that was planted in 1969. It has a lovely, floral bouquet with dark cherries, blackberry, white fennel and crushed violets. The palate is creamy and seductive on the entry. It is very well-balanced with fine acidity, fanning out towards the finish with blueberry, raisin, dark cherries and minerals. It is plush and generous: a lovely, soft Malbec to drink now or age. Drink now-2022.
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Wine Enthusiast
Earthy berry aromas come with a note of balsam wood, tobacco and soy sauce. This is juicy, with sinewy tannins and a sense of perpetual hardness to the palate. Lightly herbal blackberry and plum flavors exhibit a stalky note. Toasty and tannic on the finish. Drink through 2022.
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Wine Spectator
Rich and fruity, with a complex mix of dark plum, dried ginger and blackberry flavors, brightened by hints of citrus peel. Spicy finish. Drink now through 2018. 425 cases made.
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.