Winemaker Notes
The 2018 is an intense red with violet reflections. Floral aromas with mineral notes. Elegant, bold and with a medium to long finish in mouth. Aging in oak becomes unnoticed and perfectly balanced.
Wonderful with grilled red meats, strong cheeses and pasta dishes with white sauces, tomato or truffles. It is also ideal to pair with stews, game dishes or vegetables, such as stuffed potatoes, baked pumpkins or peppers.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Much wilder than the wine from Luján de Cuyo, the 2018 Primeras Viñas Malbec Gualtallary is inevitably produced with much younger vines (planted in 2007) but shows the electric and chalky character from the best reds from the high-altitude place in the Valle de Uco. The wine is tightly wound, austere and with subdued minerality, and the notes of thyme and rockrose slowly unfurl as the wine sits in the glass. It's varietal, characterful and with lots of inner power and energy.
-
James Suckling
I like the blue fruit with blackberry and black cherry, as well as crushed stone. Medium to full body with fine, linear tannins and a long, intense finish. Bright and vivid. Pretty firmness. Drink or hold.
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.