Luca Malbec 2014
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Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Pair with: venison or wild game, steak, pork, quail, all types of lamb, and medium-strong cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From new plantings in Gualtallary, the 2014 Malbec has increased the proportion of fruit coming from this cool place to make it approximately a 50/50 blend of Malbec fruit from Gualtallary and La Consulta, both in the Valle de Uco. There is a big jump in precision and harmony along with more freshness and elegance. The expansive palate has great depth and fruit with very good freshness. This could well be the best vintage of Luca Malbec and I think the best might be yet to come, as the new vineyard matures.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
I have been a fan of the Luca Malbec for more than a decade. The wines simply over-deliver. The 2014 vintage serves plenty of black fruit and attractive oak nuances in its aromas and flavors. The wine's rich palate feel pairs it perfectly for grilled short ribs. (Tasted: October 1, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
A rich and fresh red with dried berry, milk chocolate, spice and walnut. Full body, velvety tannins and a savory finish. From old vines in Consulta. Drink now or hold.
Other Vintages
2017-
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Wine
Laura Catena is a fourth generation winemaker who grew up in a traditional Argentine-Italian winemaking family in Mendoza. Laura splits her time between Mendoza and San Francisco, California, where she is an emergency physician, university professor and occasional tango dancer. Laura had the vision of creating a new breed of Argentine wines: small quantities, artisan quality, and true to their individual terroirs. A pioneer of small-grower relations in Mendoza, Laura's incredible, limited production wines come from some of Argentina's best fruit from low-yield, high-elevation, family-owned vineyards. The wines are named after her children - Luca, Dante and Nicola - and symbolize her love for her family. The background of the label is the McDermott coat of arms of her American husband, Daniel McDermott.
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.