Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
For Sebastián Zuccardi, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, also sourced from the Valle de Uco, is the best after a couple of difficult harvests for the grape (2014 and 2015). They have also done some changes, as they used to pick Cabernet when they had finished Malbec, but they don't do that anymore. They are probably picked in parallel, avoiding the very ripe profile of late-harvested Cabernet. There is always some Malbec cofermented with the Cabernet grapes here to avoid the tannic profile of Cabernet, as Malbec has a higher liquid to skin ratio, making it more fluid and drinkable.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
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.