Winemaker Notes
The vibrant nose of red and black cherries and ripe plums combines with floral touches of violets and rose petals. It holds a nice tannic structure that is full on the palate. Vanilla, chocolate, and some spice appears to make it more complex. This is a fruitdriven, 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
This has such interesting, sweet and fragrant, violet-like florals with rich purple fruit and a faint, stony edge. The palate is very plush and rich and the velvety tannins carry so long and even. Black-cherry and cocoa-powder finish. A more serious vintage for this wine.
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Wine & Spirits
The old-school label conjures up an Italian bottling from the 1950s; the wine, however, is firmly modern, gravelly and extracted in its blackberry fruit, polished with smoky oak. This is a generous red, with enough acidity to match it to a sausage pizza.
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.