Winemaker Notes
This beauty could be enjoyed now with a nice ribeye steak or leg of lamb since it shows incredible balance for such a concentrated wine.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Ripe currants, white pepper, sweet spices and a touch of dried herbs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with tight, fine-grained tannins supporting the structure of the wine. Long yet vertical.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Malbec is sourced from ungrafted 1928 plantings in Mayor Drummond and aged 12 months in first-, second-, and third-use barrels. It beautifully summarizes Mendel's lush yet sturdy style, leading with a classically dark-fruited bouquet accented by dark chocolate and graphite aromas. On the palate, it straddles a rich, seductive texture with a sturdy, taut focus that runs through the compact and layered finish.
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.