Winemaker Notes
This ripe and bold Malbec has some serious muscle to it, not to mention a good deal going on with the wine. Dark berries, some tar and a hint of the oak frame, this is a smooth and silky wine. Lovely floral lift with intense, smooth, chocolatey black fruit. Especially flavorful with rack of lamb or full-flavored chicken and veal.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Rich but fresh with ripe plums, blackberries and a touch of fine, cigar-box oak. Lightly chewy tannin on the palate, surrounded by bright, juicy fruit, but not over the top. Everything in check. Drink or hold.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Gran Malbec seems to be back on form, with floral and varietal aromas, ripe but still fresh for a warmer year and nicely balanced. This comes from their best plots, and they keep it for four years (18 months in barrel and two and a half years in bottle) before it's released. The wine is now balanced, polished and ready for prime-time drinking. It has a medium to full-bodied palate and fine tannins with a clean and dry finish.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 Flechas de Los Andes Gran Malbec delivers attractive pleasures from start to finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows aromas and flavors of savory spices, tar, and black fruits. Enjoy it with grilled beef kebabs. (Tasted: February 14, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
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.