Winemaker Notes
#46 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023
Intense ruby color with violet notes. On the nose, fresh red fruits stand out with a marked floral presence, perfectly harmonized with the contribution of aromas of spices, cocoa and vanilla given its passage through oak, giving it complexity. The mouthfeel is soft with sweet and velvety tannins, wide mouthfeel and long finish.
Vegan-friendly
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Fresh plums and cherries to the nose with a spicy edge. Generous and juicy on the palate with bright acidity and tight, fine-grained tannins. Nice, lengthy finish with pure fruit and subtle oak spices. Lots of vibrancy here. Drink now or hold.
-
Wine Spectator
Elegant and refined, showing pepper bush, mountain herb and river stone aromas amid a fresh cherry and berry core, which shows minerally richness and lengthens nicely around the core flavors and fine tannins. Drink now through 2030.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Names change, Reserva seems to come and go, and this time it is the 2021 Estate Reserva Malbec, a juicy and varietal red from their vineyards that matured in barrel for 12 months. It has a balanced and juicy profile that is approachable and clean, with violet and berry flavors and a soft palate with fine, chalky tannins. Textbook young Malbec from Gualtallary.
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.