Wine Reviews

There’s a touch of bark, grilled Mediterranean spice savoriness to the rich but fresh blackberries, salted black plums and graphite notes. Pretty saline and flavorful on the palate. The tannins are powerful yet fine-grained. A structured and characterful malbec from old vines in El Cepillo.

The 2018 Malbec Temis, usually my favorite from the single-vineyard bottlings, was sourced from a vineyard planted in 1938 in El Cepillo at 1,040 meters in altitude on limestone-rich soils. It’s ripe without excess at 14.5% alcohol and feels quite classical; it’s serious with some austerity, still young and undeveloped and aging at a very slow speed. It has the aromatics of the Mediterranean plants—thyme, rosemary, lavender and rockrose—and integrated oak.

A spicy and complex nose with a mixture of sweet blue and red berries. Some sandalwood and pine cones, too. Juicy and full-bodied on the palate with plenty of chalky tannins. Nice firmness here but nothing grainy. Long and savory finish. Drink or hold.

Bright raspberry aromas with light notes of chalk open this red. It has weight and depth while vibrant acidity keeps it fresh. Complex, the wine has a mineral character. Red- and black-fruit flavors are followed by dried herbs. The finish is persistent with fruit flavors in the aftertaste.