Winemaker Notes
This is 100% Malbec from a single vineyard in Gualtallary, Uco Valley. The wine shows notes of butterscotch, chocolate, and baked blueberry pie sprinkled with powdered sugar. A round and creamy mid palate laced with hazel nuts round out this lighter style, mineral driven Malbec.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Wonderful intensity of crushed berries, pink pepper and volcanic salt. Full-bodied, yet fresh and vivid with energy and focus. Extremely long and flavorful. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Aggie was produced with Malbec from Gualtallary in the Valle de Uco, produced in the same way as the rest of the range, with fermentation in concrete with indigenous yeasts and élevage of eight to 12 months in well-seasoned barrels. There is very good freshness and character here, and it is aromatic and floral, varietal, clean and precise. It's juicy and has complexity, nuance and depth, fine tannins and a long finish.
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.