Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Ditto for the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Paso de Piedra which received the same elevage. It exhibits an enticing nose of spice box, cassis, black currant, cedar, and tobacco. Elegant on the palate, it has lots of sweet fruit, excellent depth, savory flavors, impeccable balance, and a lengthy finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Initial aromas of tire rubber, smoke, black fruits and leather are good and rich, but in a common, understandable way. Smooth and chunky on the palate, with warmth and flavors of blackberry, fig paste and chocolate. Finishes roasted and dark. A through Argentine Cabernet with no glaring weaknesses.
Argentina of course is heralded for its Malbecs. But in the last two decades Cabernet Sauvignon has been drawing increased attention from winemakers there, and is now the third most planted variety. It is grown in the Mendoza region in the Andean foothills, especially in Maipú and Luján de Cuyo, at altitudes between 2300 and 3100 feet. Here the climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters. It is very dry and sometimes quite windy, with runoff from the snow-capped Andes providing irrigation. These Argentinian Cabernets offer dark fruit, spice notes, full body and often a voluptuous style.
Another source within Mendoza is the higher altitude Uco Valley, at 3300 to 5000 feet. Up at this level grapes ripen more slowly, despite the bright sun. But that enables them to develop bright acidity levels, giving the wines a fresh quality to go with intense fruit flavors. Another source of good Cabernet Sauvignon in Argentina is Cafayate, in the Calchaquí Valley. North of Mendoza, these vineyards are even higher, at about 5700 feet! These Cabernets carry notes of spice, herbs and menthol to go with dark fruit. Like those from Uco Valley, they show concentration and great vibrancy.
A few producers to look for are Catena, Viña Cobos, Pulenta and Altocedro. Salud!