Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Most of the grapes in this wine come from vineyards in Gualtallary at 4,430 feet in elevation. Cool raspberry flavors and a savory smokiness knit the wine together, and though it doesn’t offer much for complexity, it feels sure of itself, simple and delicious. It’s lifted and bright, a wine to enjoy with duck breast, seared rare.
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James Suckling
Black cherries, red plums, fresh olives with baking spices and oregano. A medium-bodied red with juicy cherry and plummy fruit. Smoothly rendered and generous.
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.