Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Well, yes there is a lot of ripe fruit here, but isn't that is what Malbec is all about? Only partly true, the 2009 Nieto Senetiner Terroir Blend has the balance and the pedigree to be considered outstanding and this one has it all! Deep ruby color; starts out with sweet oak in the nose; medium to full bodied, packed, layered and lavish on the palate; bold black fruit and sweet oak in the flavors; long finish, youthful aftertaste. Drinking pretty well now, has much growth potential to reach another level in the near future. (Tasted: June 18, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
An impressive Malbec blend from three vineyards ranging from 3,120 to 3,780 feet in elevation. The aromas are inviting and open, with wild berry, spice and toasty notes. Elegant and well balanced in the mouth, with smoky, ripe fl avors of berry, plum and earth. Toasty and coconutty on the fi nish.
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.