Winemaker Notes
Bright and intense red color with purple hues. Fresh on the nose with a complexity from combined balsamic and flora notes. Very vibrant in the mouth, juicy with good texture and a lingering finish.
Vegan-Friendly
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2019 Malbec Salentein Single Vineyard Viñedo La Pampa 1997 from San Pablo, Uco Valley was aged for 16 months in used barrels. A dense purple in the glass. The nose presents expressive notes of fresh plum, violets and mint with subtle cedar aromas. Intense in the mouth with a juicy, taut texture and a little grip, the flow is teased into a long finish. The 2019 is a rich, impressive wine.
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James Suckling
Full-bodied red with mocha, dried blueberries, chai, charcoal and stewed black plums on the nose. Some iodine. Rich and chewy, yet the firm tannins are well-integrated. Layered and complex. Savory at the end. Vegan.
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Wine Enthusiast
Delicate aromas of violet are followed by bright red-fruit aromas on this structured Malbec. Lively acidity and a chalky texture contribute to the wine’s vibrant character. It has tart berry flavors accompanied by black pepper and a hint of nutmeg. The finish is fruity forward, with a touch of oregano in the aftertaste.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Single Vineyard Malbec La Pampa was sourced from the estate vineyard in Los Árboles at 1,300 meters in altitude. The vineyard was planted in 1997 with an ungrafted massal selection at 2,500 plants per hectare on alluvial soils from the Las Tunas River in San Pablo. The wine has very good balance and harmony, varietal character and good freshness from a cool place in a cool year. It's tasty and has a soft mouthfeel and a dry finish.
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.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.