By Duane Pemberton
Uco Valley, in the Mendoza region of Argentina, have really high elevation with super-thin layers of top-soil. This helps create Malbec of exceptional quality with great acidity – the particular fruit in this wine was sourced from vines that ranged in age from 20-25 years.
Technical Data:
- Terroir: Uco valley, located at an altitude between 3,700 – 5,000 ‘ elevation.
- Soil Profile: Shallow sandy – silt with round rock subsoil.
- Harvest: Hand harvested in the last week of March and first week of April.
- Vinification: Six to eight day cold maceration with extensive cap management for intense aromatics and stony minerality. 14 – 16 day fermentation. Cool fermentation with maximum temperature of 23° C.
- Cooperage: 9 months in French oak, 10% new.
- Alcohol: 14% by volume
- pH: 3.6
- Acidity: 5.7
- Price: $15
Nose: Lightly charred blueberries, plums, peppercorn, leather and dark chocolate.
Taste: Blueberry pie filling along with spice, smoked paprika, plum sauce, pencil lead, leather, ash tray and a nice hint of mexican chocolate. Youthful tannins abound with a nearly perfect amount of acid and fruit. The finish is very good and speaks of a wine that should cost a lot more than this one does.
