Wine Reviews

The Agrelo single-vineyard 2018 Malbec Serenade is from vines planted in 1935. It feels quite classical—ripe at 15% alcohol and generously oaked after maturing in 225- and 600-liter French barriques, 66% of them new, for one year. They are moving to larger barrels and reducing the new oak, just to support the structure. This wine (and the rest of the single-vineyard reds) is not oaky at all; this is floral and aromatic, typical Agrelo. This is very open and balanced, with a round palate and round tannins. The deep gravels need old vines to deliver this quality. This has to be the finest Serenade to date.

A ripe, spicy nose with plenty of blackberries, graphite, violets and ink. Some sweet spices and walnut, too. Juicy and tight on the palate with dense and fine-grained tannins that extend to a long, spicy finish.

It’s full-bodied with smooth, soft tannins.

Vibrantly plush and well-spiced flavors of dark currant, soy and beef carpaccio are backed by firm acidity and tannins. Intense chocolate nib notes midpalate lead to a long and spicy finish.