Luigi Bosca Malbec Lujan de Cuyo 2014
Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesA complex malbec that shows violets, blueberries, strawberries, chocolate and hazelnuts. Hints of licorice too. Medium to full body, firm and well-integrated tannins and a deep and precise finish.
Pure and fresh-tasting, offering concentrated flavors of dark currant, blackberry and plum tart. The sculpted finish layers on rich spice and chocolate notes, with hints of pepper and mint. Drink now through 2024.
The dark, juicy, concentrated and balsamic 2016 Malbec D O C is one of the few proper Controlled Appellation wines (D.O.C.) from Luján de Cuyo. It matured for 14 months in new French oak barrels, which marked the wine, especially on the palate where you'll find an abundance of oak-related flavors and some astringent tannins, giving it a slight rusticity. It needs food.
Rating: 90+
In the village of Unzue, located in Navarra, Leoncio Arizu was born to Saturnino Arizu and Juana Uriz. The meaning of the family name would be a sign of the importance oak would have in his life, as Arizu means "oak grove". In 1890, a seven-year-old Leoncio arrived in Argentina and settled in Mendoza, where he was met by his uncle Balbino, already involved in the wine business.
The very first vineyards owned by the Arizus, had vines of European origin and were incorporated so that the winery began form in 1901. Leoncio Arizu became the manager of the family winery. A year later, the family purchased steam-powered plowing machinery and hired highly-trained personnel from England.
Leoncio Arizu married Juana Larrea in 1922. The couple would have 5 children. Saturnino Arizu, Leoncio's son, became involved in the winery. Don Leoncio Arizu passed away, and left his children his greatest heritage: His passion for wine.
Years later, Saturnino and his children began the commercialization of the wines produced by the family: Luigi Bosca, a paradigm in Argentinean wines. In 1991 the original Luigi Bosca Winery, located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, was renovated and enlarged.
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.
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.