Winemaker Notes
This is a fruit-driven, fresh and well-structured wine that pairs great with meats like prosciutto or hard cheeses. Unique recipe ideas include Smoked Chicken and Blueberry Salad or Roast Pork Tenderloin with Medjool Date, Olive and Walnut Relish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Roasted herbs, ink, iodine, chocolate and lots of violets. A bright and racy malbec on the palate with no shortage of dark fruit and ripe tannins, but this is very structured and finishes very savory. Drink now.
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Wine Enthusiast
Dry berry-fruit aromas come with wild but controlled notes of leather and animal. A fresh palate is medium in weight and concentration, with crisp black-plum and cherry flavors supported by smooth tannins. A similarly fresh finish is consistent with the rest of this Malbec.
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.