Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The third vintage of the 2015 José Zuccardi was produced with grapes from Altamira and Gualtallary in the Valle de Uco. It's mostly Malbec but contains some 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. It fermented in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in oak foudres. It feels riper and a little rounder than the 2014, but the sharpness of all of their wines—the focus and precision—is impressive irrespective of the vintage.
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Wine & Spirits
Sebastián Zuccardi makes this cuvée to honor the style his father, José, developed in the early 2000s. Malbec grown in Altamira provides the lush, powerful fruit of the wine while a small addition of cabernet sauvignon adds notes of fir tree and pencil lead. It feels generous and regal, structured by mineral tannins, with a hint of spicy alcohol adding extra force. This is built for a thick-cut grass-fed steak.
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Wine Spectator
Big, with robust flavors of dried raspberry, cherry tart and red currant that are well-framed. The juicy finish is backed by lively acidity, lingering with minerally snap and hints of white pepper. Drink now through 2025.
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.