Winemaker Notes
Wine Enthusiast's #64 Top 100 of 2016
Red-purple and aromas that express elegance, ripe fruits, balsamic notes, subtle floral presence and aging in very classic oak. On the palate, the wine has an elegant entrance, with an excellent tannic structure, the end being persistent and fruity.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Deep, ripe, layered berry aromas come with notes of pastry and licorice. This feels tight and pure, with juicy acidity that prevents things from seeming too heavy. Blackberry, cassis, wood grain and peppery spice flavors finish long and impressive, with rich notes of fig paste and chocolate.
-
James Suckling
More full-throttle style with lots of dried fruit, spicy wood and soy sauce character. Full body, silky tannins. A little overdone but so attractive. From grapes grown in Valle de Uco. A bit disappointing being the first wine of the estate.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2012 Malbec Heritage is sourced from La Consulta in the Uco Valley, and it aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels. It shows a commercial profile, is generously oaked with notes of smoke, spices, cinnamon, vanilla and cloves plus ripe black cherries. Structured by plenty of tannins and good acidity, the full-bodied palate is solid, compact and has no fissures. It is a powerful Malbec to keep.
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.