Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Very youthful, spicy black cherries and damsons, as well as a lifted, violet note. Very complete palate with healthy concentration, framed in a bountiful yet polished tannin structure. Well done!
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There is no oak now in the 2018 Gran Terroir Malbec, but it matured in well-seasoned French oak barrels for 12 to 15 months. This is a great example of the minerality of Gualtallary, a texture, a chalky mouthfeel that makes the wine tasty, long and serious, which is something very difficult to find at this price level and in this volume. Great work.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Zorzal Gran Terroir Malbec delivers an excellent depth of fruit and balance. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with lovely aromas and flavors of black fruit and licorice. Serve it with grilled lamb kebabs. (Tasted: April 11, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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.