Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Beautiful aromas of minerals, mint and currants here follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. This is so well crafted and shows a complex character of minerals, spices and fruit. Much better in 2017 or 2018, but a joy to taste now. This is Argentina's answer to Super Tuscan reds from Italy. A blend of 85% malbec, 3% syrah, 3% cabernet franc, 4% bonarda, and 5% cabernet sauvignon.
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Wine Enthusiast
Loamy, rich, baked aromas of blackberry and cassis sit on the precipice of jammy and raisiny. In the mouth, tartaric acid sticks out, creating a tolerable inbalance between raisiny fruit and pushy zest. Meanwhile, flavors of coconut, vanilla, mocha and baked black fruits are hedonistic and rich. Drink through 2018. This is 85% Malbec with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Wine Spectator
Rich, delivering layers of baking spices, mocha and licorice to the ripe plum and zesty wild berry fruit. Fine tannins add structure to the finish. Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Bonarda and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2017.
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.