Winemaker Notes
Enchanted by their first trip to the South American country famous for its gauchos and tango, they fell in love with the culture and, above all, the wines made from Malbec so synonymous with this great land. So enthralled, they purchased a property and quickly converted it into a world-class winery, which would be a crossroads for wine, food and art. They made an incredibly astute choice by hiring renowned South-American winemaker Santiago Achaval to be their winemaking consultant. Achaval has been referred to as the "Malbec Master" and is behind the scenes of several top-of-the-list wines featured in Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. About SoloContigo’s Super Premium Malbec, Santiago said, "this wine is silky on the palate and rich in flavor... an absolutely spectacular wine!"
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.
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.