Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This wine has balance and finesse with blueberry, blackberry and some walnut character. Full body, fine tannins and a beautiful finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Malbec is produced with the grapes from an ungrafted vineyard planted in 1928 in Mayor Drummond in Luján de Cuyo at some 980 meters altitude and another one in Perdriel. After hand-sorting the grapes, the wine macerated in 50- and 80-hectoliter tanks for three weeks. It matured in a combination of new, second- and third-use French oak barrels for 12-14 months. It has a lactic nose intermixed with aromas of flowers and fresh fruit. 2013 was a cooler year and the fruit had more malic acid, which might be the explanation for the lactic character I found here. It's also more floral and shows less aromas of plums so often found in warmer vintages. The medium-bodied palate shows good balance and is juicy with sweet tannins that make it very accessible. You feel the hand of a winemaker in this textbook Malbec. It should go an extra mile in bottle with the freshness of the year. 60,000 bottles produced.
Mendel is the first name of the owner's father, a man who came to Argentina with nothing and ended up a successful businessman in different industries. He was also a man that loved the finest things that life had to offer, particularly wine. His daughter, Anabelle, honors her father by seeking perfection in her and Roberto's wines with his name on the label.
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.