Winemaker Notes
This hand harvested, single vineyard, from Gualtallary is 100% Malbec and spends 12 months in French oak barrels. A large nose of blueberry, blackberry, vanilla, and smoky tobacco leads to a big and bold palate of fig newtons, dry leaves, dark chocolate, and powdered sugar. The finish lasts with big, smooth tannins and fruit galore.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A very blueberry-themed nose that also features violets and lots of lavender. Granite, slate and other crushed stones. Medium-to-full body, lots of fine, elegant tannins, racy acidity and a medium-chewy finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
They have been progressively reducing the oak, and the 2016 Gran Terroir Malbec matured in third, fourth and fifth use French oak barrels for 15 months. 2016 seems to be a great vintage in the high-altitude parts of the Valle de Uco, and these grapes from Gualtallary seem to have achieved perfect ripeness while keeping lively freshness. The wine is produced in a transparent style, with little oak and nice balance. This is a very nice representation of the place, grape and year at an unbeatable price.
Rating: 91+
Most distinguished and celebrated from Argentina’s Mendoza, Malbec has seen runaway success since the early 2000s. Mendoza’s agreeable, continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters allows the perfect conditions for growing outstanding Malbec. This grape is easy to like for its lusty, deep flavors and aromas of blackberry, plum, red cherry, autumn spice and tilled earth. It’s easy to find delicious, fruit-driven, affordable everyday examples and in prices beyond, quite exceptional ones with dense, supple textures that make them capable of aging.