Winemaker Notes
This wine expresses maximum intensity on the nose, finesse, elegance and harmony generated by its terroir. Aromas of fresh red fruit, raspberries, cassis and truffles accompanied by delicate spicy notes. Its oak aging brings aromas of coffee and chocolate amalgamated with fruity notes typical of this varietal of San Pablo Estate. The palate is intense, with sweet and elegant tannins. A long finish, hard to forget. A wine that represents the art of precision from the vineyard to the glass.
Blend: 76% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 2.5% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Sweet tobacco leaf, white truffles, elegant plums, berries, bark and a touch of dry earth and cinnamon. Lots of finesse here. Really layered and long, with firm but polished tannins. Nothing loud, but super refined. Persistent finish that lasts almost a minute. A great effort from 2020. Merlot, petit verdot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc.
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Vinous
A blend of 76% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec, the 2020 Las Notas de Jean Claude is crafted by Jean Claude Berrouet and hails from San Pablo in the Uco Valley. Aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 14% of which are new, it features ripe black fruit with wild herb notes, soft marmalade, hints of spice, blonde tobacco, black pepper and subtle laurel.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
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.