Winemaker Notes
The wine is an intense blackish red color. Elegant nose with aromas of red fruits such as plums, raspberries and cherries, and notes of spices, herbs, dark chocolate and black tea. Its pleasant tannins and acidity combine on the palate, giving it a long, unctuous yet fresh mouthfeel.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Generous, tasty oak spices are deftly woven between layers of blackberries, black olives and dark figs, all nestled in warm, velvety tannins for a rich but soft texture. Big but friendly.
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Vinous
The 2021 Malbec Don Nicanor Barrel Select comes from the Uco Valley and was half-aged for 12 months in 15% new French oak barrels. Purple in hue. The fruit-forward nose is supported by a layer of oak that brings a whiff of smoke to accompany the violet and plum notes. Dry and plush in the mouth, the palate is structured by oak tannins and tempered by juicy acidity. It will improve with time.
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.