Winemaker Notes
Full-bodied and deep in color, this is a Malbec of the mountains: ripe fruit, but with the structure to pair well with heartier foods: meaty stews with herbs and tomatoes would be ideal.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There are still some issues with the name Gualtallary although in theory the brand has been freed, so their wine from Gualtallary is still labeled as 2017 Calcáreo de Granito de Tupungato. Whatever it is the nose is really impressive for a warmer year with low yields whose natural tendency was to produce more powerful and concentrated. It was harvested earlier than ever (before the 15th of March) and the nose is a tantalizing combination of wild flowers and blood orange, clean, insinuating, perfumed, really attractive. The wine is powerful but very balanced, focused, sharp and vertical, with very chalky tannins and a sensation of austerity and wilderness that represents the landscape of Gualtallary. Really impressive. 6,485 bottles were produced, as they are growing according to the sales, as they have some three hectares in this pot in Tupungato Winelands.
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.