Sur de los Andes Malbec 2017
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Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
A juicy Malbec with lively acidity backing the raspberry, blackberry and plum notes woven with soft tannins and spice-tinged finish. All the grapes are double sorted upon arrival to the winery. All fermentations take place naturally with native yeasts. Fermentation takes 20 days with 2 days of cold maceration, at temperatures between 24-27 Celsius to achieve the most complexity. The wine then goes through 100% Malolactic Fermentation and is aged in older oak casks.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Blackberry aromas come with welcome notes of chocolaty oak and graphite to create a nose of plenty. A lush, full-bodied palate brings huge flavors of blackberry and cassis that show no rough edges are are steady on the finish.
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James Suckling
A bright and juicy array of mulberries and red plums are delivered in a smooth, silky and juicy style with pithy, fresh tannins to close.
Other Vintages
2020-
James
Suckling
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Robert
Parker
In the shadow of the Andes Mountains, Mendoza’s wine regions and high-altitude vineyards are pushed to develop bold, unique flavors in extreme conditions found nowhere else on earth. High altitude means cool temperatures and clear air, and clear air means more sunlight for building flavor in the grapes, helping to make Mendoza the source of Argentina’s well-earned reputation for top quality, unique wines and viticulture. All of the grapes for Sur de los Andes are double sorted. They only use natural yeasts during the 30-day fermentation 30 days after 5 days of cold maceration.
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.
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.