Wine Reviews

Shows a decent amount of oak but wears it well, offering clove and vanilla notes around a ripe, brambly berry core, with touches of coffee bean on the finish. Another push of berries at the end lends this version ripe tannins

The most complex and compelling of the single-vineyard Malbecs is the 2021 Malbec Alizarine, made from vines planted in 1923 on deep, silty soils. It opens with an elegant, understated bouquet centered on red fruit, followed by a fantastically silky, lacy texture in the mouth that I found more lifted and slender than many wines from Las Compuertas, while, paradoxically, retaining the deep, supple texture that defines the region. It concludes with a striking, thunderous finish that perfectly balances classically informed richness with a more modern, energetic profile rooted in crystalline purity.

It offers the darkest aromatic profile of the range, combining deep black-fruit notes supported by accents of crushed stone and fresh herbs with well-integrated toasty flourishes. The palate balances a plush, seductive texture with a lifted, floating energy…

Ripe, fresh blackberries, cocoa powder and touches of dark earth funk, grilled thyme, mussel shells, licorice and spices on the nose. Full-bodied and compact, with very fine-grained, dusty tannins and a long, ample and well-structured finish. Drink or hold.

Intriguing complexity on the nose with a white pepper lift from the ripe but fresh blackberries, blue fruit, hot stone, mussels, graphite and roasted spices. Full-bodied on the palate with nicely woven tannins and a juicy, lingering finish. Savory salinity at the end.