Winemaker Notes
Intense, bright red, violet at the rim. The nose is complex, elegant and very intense. The wine shows a perfect combination of fresh red fruit such as black cherries, raspberries and blackberries. Spice touches and licorice hints contribute complexity. The ageing in French oak masterfully integrates subtle vanilla and caramel nuances. Pleasant attack. The aromas on the palate are harmonious and persistent. It is a balanced, refreshing and very easy-to-drink wine which boasts a lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A perfumed red with notes of fresh wild berries, just-picked violets, sweet spices and cocoa-dusted walnuts. Medium-to full-bodied with layers of plush, polished tannins and a lingering, silky mouth-feel. Velvety and seamless with delicious blue-fruit and blue-flower character.
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Vinous
The 2020 Malbec is a blend of grapes from Drummond and Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo. The vines date back to 1926. Aged for 12 months in one-third new barrels. Purple in the glass. The nose offers intense aromas of violet, fresh plum, gentle woody notes and hints of spice. Plush, broad and agile with refined, polished tannins. The texture is a combination of silk and velvet.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The estate 2020 Malbec was produced with grapes from their property in Mayor Drummond (Finca Mendel) that was planted in 1928. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in French oak barrels, one-third each new, second and third use, for 12 months. It has 14.5% alcohol and a soft and round palate with integrated acidity. De la Mota thinks this 2020 is very representative of the zone of Lujan even if they harvest it a little earlier, and it has a little more fresh fruit, using the oak to keep that character, a balance between ripe and fresh fruit that is very interesting. It is juicy and primary with very fine tannins. A wine that overdelivers for the price.
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Wine Enthusiast
The grapes for this red are sourced from a vineyard planted in 1928 in Luján de Cuyo. It exhibits a dense and fruit-forward bouquet. The palate offers ripe plum, blueberry and rosemary, all intertwined. Moderate acidity and supple tannins provide support. It finishes with subtle coffee notes.
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.