Winemaker Notes
The vineyards that produce the grapes for our Alpha Malbec come from our Apalta and Marchigüe estates in the Colchagua Valley. Both properties have soils of granitic origin with different degrees of decomposition and varying amounts of clay, depth, and organic matter.
Blend: 95% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Although this wine smells a bit pointy up front, enough ripe blackberry and cassis on the nose offsets olive and leather notes. A jammy, plump palate is more widespread than compact, while flavors of oak, tobacco, spice and berry fruits are integrated and finish long and fairly complex. Drink through 2022.
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.
Well-regarded for intense and exceptionally high quality red wines, the Colchagua Valley is situated in the southern part of Chile’s Rapel Valley, with many of the best vineyards lying in the foothills of the Coastal Range.
Heavy French investment and cutting-edge technology in both the vineyard and the winery has been a boon to the local viticultural industry, which already laid claim to ancient vines and a textbook Mediterranean climate.
The warm, dry growing season in the Colchagua Valley favors robust reds made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec and Syrah—in fact, some of Chile’s very best are made here. A small amount of good white wine is produced from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.