Lagarde Guarda Cabernet Franc 2020
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Winemaker Notes
Bluish-red with black tones. Complex, dominated by aromas of ripe red fruits. There are also notes of spices, tobacco and smoke.
Elegant in the mouth with rounded tannins, good structure and smoothness. Ending with a long lingering finish.
Ideal to pair with red meats, roasted duck or lamb, pasta and cheese.
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Vinous
The 2020 Cabernet Franc Guarda from Luján de Cuyo was aged for 12 months in new and used French barrels. Garnet red in hue. The nose is ripe and jammy, offering ash, herbs, tobacco, refined oaky notes, blackberry, jalapeño and tea. Delivers rounded tannins, sustained flavor, good volume and juice given the taut palate.
Other Vintages
2021-
Wine
Spectator
With the first vine planted in 1897, Lagarde is one of the oldest wineries in the Mendoza region with Malbec vines over 100 years old. With only two owning families in its history, Lagarde was acquired by the Pescarmona family in 1969. Today the winery is run by young sisters Sofia and Lucila Pescarmona, third generation of the winemaking family During the following decades Lagarde focused on defining its particular style of wines. Striving to consistently innovate Lagarde was the first Latin American producer to plant non-traditional varieties such as Viognier and Moscato Bianco, adding to its unique style. Since 1999, the wines have been under the dedicated supervision of winemaker, Juan Roby, who along with the Pescarmonas enjoy creating high-quality wine made from grapes grown exclusively on their winery-run vineyards. Today the winery and estate are run by third generation Pescarmonas, sisters Sofia and Lucila Pescarmona. Under their direction, Lagarde creates exceptional terroir character wines that reflect a strong sustainable commitment to the land and its people.
Cabernet Franc, a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, is the subtler and more delicate of the Cabernets. Today Cabernet Franc produces outstanding single varietal wines across the wine-producing world. Somm Secret—One of California's best-kept secrets is the Happy Canyon appellation of Santa Barbara. Here Cabernet Franc shines as a single varietal wine or in blends, expressing sumptuous fruit, savory aromas and polished tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.