Winemaker Notes
Spice and black cherry cola aromas with notes of cocoa. The berry flavors pop on the palate from its depth and lively acidity, finishing with hints of espresso.
Pairs well with foods such as venison or wild game, steak, pork, quail, all types of lamb, and medium-strong cheeses.
Blend: 100% Malbec
Luca is Certified Sustainable by Bodegas de Argentina
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This shows plums, bark and charcoal on the nose. The palate is precise, sharp, linear and super elegant, with velvety tannins and crunchy fruit. It’s long, refined and very stylish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Old Vine Malbec combines ungrafted vines from six Uco Valley growers who previously sold grapes for use in bulk wines. It was destemmed and fermented in stainless tank before maturing for 12 months in 35% new barrique. Opening with a pleasant nose of red and blue fruits, anise and dried spices, the palate is plush and straightforward, concluding with a lifted, fragrant finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
The nose reveals enticing aromas of crushed berries leading the way to a juicy palate filled with rich dark fruit flavors and a hint of rosemary. Framed by gripping tannins and vibrant acidity, this full-bodied Malbec features a distinctive chalky texture and a long lasting finish.
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Wine Spectator
Hints of roasted herbs and loam lead but quickly give way to the core flavors of Santa Rosa plum and cherry, culminating with crunchy acidity, mineral and cocoa powder notes that fill out the structured finish.
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.