Winemaker Notes
This wine does not see oak in any part of the process and is fermented in cement vats without additions or corrections. Its essence is represented by a butterfly inside a cocoon. Its beauty can only be appreciated by those who know how to look inside.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Matías Fraga left his career as a restaurateur to work with the Catenas. He stayed with them for a decade and, in 2010, purchased an abandoned vineyard, bringing on Alfredo Merlo to make his wines. This one is suave and sexy, presented without oak, letting the peak-season juiciness of the strawberry fl avors ring true. A savory edge plays underneath, damp earth and a faint smokiness.
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.