Winemaker Notes
#78 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2019
Intense red, with violet hues. On the nose, notes of very ripe red fruits appear accompanied by others of bitter cocoa and tobacco, which gives it contact with the oak. In the mouth, it is a wine of great structure, with a persistent finish, and smooth tannins. In the complexity of this wine the harmony achieved between the oak and the intense fruity frame is appreciated.
Blend: 40% Malbec de Gualtallary, 40% Malbec de Altamira, 20% Malbec de La Consulta
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This is a great malbec that shows richness and freshness with fresh herbs and a stem character. Medium body, fine tannins and a juicy finish. Wet earth, too. A malbec that transcends the grape and persists with complexity and beauty.
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Wine Enthusiast
Given that 2015 was a tough year in Mendoza, especially for high-expression reds like this, Apartado is an unbridled success. This is round, ripe and complex on the nose, with exotic aromas of cardamom, spiced blueberry and rubber. The palate feels bold, crisp and bright. Flavors of blackberry, boysenberry and mixed spices drop off little by little on the finish. Drink for years to come; cellar through 2035.
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Decanter
Bright blackcurrant fruits with a savoury hint and some plant notes. On the palate, this is sweet, bright, soundly fruity and savoury too, with some supporting textural depths. Unshowy, but well-crafted and serious.
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.