Winemaker Notes
This wine is a field blend of Grenache Noir, Monastrell, and Syrah all co-fermented. The nose is earthy and muddled with hints of blackberry and cherry luden with under notes of forest floor, fungi, tea leaf, thyme, and candied leather. The palate is juicy and lush with black fruits, currant, and fine grained tannins that lead to a light finish of clove and cinammon.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 GSM is a field blend of 70% Garnacha, 15% Syrah and 15% Monastrell planted 15 years ago. It underwent a semi-carbonic maceration with whole clusters in concrete eggs and aged in equal parts concrete egg and French barrique. Opening with a high-toned, electric nose of red-fruited, bramble and leather aromas, the palate is sleek, focused and linear, concluding with a pure, mineral-driven finish with impressive persistence. This is a snappy, featherweight expression of Uco Valley rendered with pristine clarity.
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Wine Spectator
Well-layered, with dried herb and orange peel notes to the mineral-accented berry and cherry flavors, which are sneakily juicy and linger nicely on the finish around fine tannins. Garnacha, Syrah and Monastrell. Drink now through 2028. 1,100 cases made, 336 cases imported.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
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.