Lagarde Guarda Malbec 2019
-
James
Suckling -
Wine
Enthusiast
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Deep red with burgundy highlights. Intense aromas dominated by ripe red fruits and jams, combined with soft aromatic contribution of oak, vanilla, chocolate and smoke. Elegant in the mouth, good concentration and smoothness, with silky tannins, typical of Argentine Malbec.
Ideal with grilled red meats or pasta with red sauces.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Aromas of ripe plums and orange peel with some cedar and sandalwood, following through to a medium body with firm, lightly chewy tannins and a berry, fig and dried-chocolate undertone. Drink or hold.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Grapes for this Malbec D.O.C Luján de Cuyo are sourced from vines planted in 1906 in Drummond. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 12 months in oak barrels. Just like other wines from this D.O.C, this Malbec offers a good concentration of black fruits and hints of baking spices. Cassis and a touch of smoke lend complexity to the smooth palate.
Other Vintages
2017-
James
Suckling
With the first vine planted in 1897, Lagarde is one of the oldest wineries in the Mendoza region with Malbec vines over 100 years old. With only two owning families in its history, Lagarde was acquired by the Pescarmona family in 1969. Today the winery is run by young sisters Sofia and Lucila Pescarmona, third generation of the winemaking family During the following decades Lagarde focused on defining its particular style of wines. Striving to consistently innovate Lagarde was the first Latin American producer to plant non-traditional varieties such as Viognier and Moscato Bianco, adding to its unique style. Since 1999, the wines have been under the dedicated supervision of winemaker, Juan Roby, who along with the Pescarmonas enjoy creating high-quality wine made from grapes grown exclusively on their winery-run vineyards. Today the winery and estate are run by third generation Pescarmonas, sisters Sofia and Lucila Pescarmona. Under their direction, Lagarde creates exceptional terroir character wines that reflect a strong sustainable commitment to the land and its people.
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.