Winemaker Notes
This 100% hand harvested Malbec is from a single vineyard in the Gualtallary sub-region of the Uco Valley. The nose jumps out of the glass with notes of boisenberry, plum, and vanilla. The wine is big and broad with ample tannin and high minerality that leads to a long finish with hints of dark cherry and orange peel. This used to be called Granito de Tupungato but they are now allowed to use the officially recognized region of Gualtallary on the label. Same vineyard as before.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2019 Malbec Calcáreo Granito hails from Gualtallary, Uco Valley and spent a winter in casks. Purple in the glass. The ripe, intense nose offers fresh plum and hints of herb. Juicy with a refreshing character, the tannins are finely grained, and the acidity is tart. The wine develops a chalky texture at the back of the mouth.
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.