Winemaker Notes
This hand harvested, single vineyard wine, 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 well-made malbec that shows excellent drinkability with its black cherries, potpourri, violets, subtle spices and stemmy, herbal freshness. Round and juicy with a medium body on the palate, delivering firm yet creamy tannins and a fruit-oriented finish. Drink now.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The nose of the 2021 Gran Terroir Malbec is riper and has black rather than red fruit, as they look for more exuberant fruit. This is a more classical Malbec with 14.5% alcohol and grainy tannins.
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.