Winemaker Notes
Blend: 100% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Really fresh yet deep nose of fine spices, violets, dark cherries, mulberries and fresh blue plums. Juicy and almost bright, with an evenly packed, medium-bodied palate. Tannins are very fine and silky but still quite fresh. Pristine and long, with no hard edges. Lots of drinkability. Drink or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Finca Drummond planted in 1928 is at the heart of the 2024 Malbec Finca Mendel, a dense, intensely layered, richly fruity wine that’s equally fresh and elegant in style. Medium-bodied and well-balanced, it’s complex in blackberry and oak spice, with hints of dried herb and vanilla bean, supple in tannins. This producer has always picked relatively early to preserve freshness, and this wine is a delicious case in point. Drink now through 2036.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2024 Malbec Finca Mendel is a textbook example of Luján de Cuyo Malbec rendered with equal parts classic richness and contemporary restraint. Originating from vines planted in 1928, it underwent malolactic conversion in the tank and matured in first-, second- and third-use barrels for 12 months. A pure, inviting bouquet of black and blue fruits with vivacious purple flower overtones introduces a supple, round and seamless mouthfeel, enlivened by juicy acidity that carries through to a refined, discreetly toasty 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.