Graffito Malbec 2019
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Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Graffito Malbec is hand-harvested from vineyards in Alto Agrelo in Lujan de Cuyo and Altamira in the Uco Valley. 70% is aged for 13 months in French oak. 60% is aged in French oak for 14 months.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A pretty nose of dark berries, dark cherries, wet leaves, bark and baking spices. It’s medium-to full-bodied with velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Creamy texture with a flavorful, spicy finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
The attractive nose of this vibrant Malbec offers violet, black pepper and dark chocolate notes blended with plum and blackberry. This is a medium-bodied Malbec with smooth tannins. Licorice and earthy flavors on a core of rich black fruit are balanced by fresh acidity. It has a medium finish with subtle oaky flavors
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These deeply concentrated wines are named after the color of “graphite” and shows beautiful expression and structure. Winemaker Jimena Lopez left her corporate wine job to pursue her dream of making her own wine, and she now handles all aspects of Graffito from vine selection to the final blend with a precise attention to detail. She believes so deeply in her wine quality that she puts her fingerprint stamp of approval right on the label.
Jimena made her own winemaking dream a reality when she came across an old-vine Malbec vineyard planted in 1908 in Alto Agrelo farmed by Don Pepe and his family. The balance and structure coming from these old vines are the pillars of Graffito. Jimena also sources grapes from family-owned vineyards in Los Arboles and Vistaflores in the Uco Valley to round out her wines with the perfect blend of fruit flavors, floral notes, and spices.
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.