Outstanding.

The 2020 vintage is one for the record books for two reasons.

First, due to Covid requirements, all vineyard and winery teams had to exercise social distancing which resulted in longer hours, extra effort and utilization of protective measures. Great work to all vineyard and wine making teams!

Second, the concentration and quality of the fruit, particularly with Malbec and Cabernet Franc is incredible.

The winter was dry and there were some moderate frosts in the Valle de Uco at the beginning of September. The beginning of Spring was also dry, with the first rains coming in the middle of October after about six months without precipitation. In the month of November the levels of precipitation accelerated and we experienced elevated thermal amplitude; starting in December the temperatures reached their maximum levels, even rising above 40°C/104°F in January and February.

The general climate during the productive cycle was extremely dry with lower minimum temperatures and higher heat spikes. This ongoing elevated thermal amplitude resulted in uniform ripeness in all varietals and an early harvest. Our Malbec harvest was completed on April 5.

This vintage has the potential to be very special due to the excellent color, fruit expression, concentration and levels of acidity. Stay tuned.

Excellent.

The 2019 growing season began with a cool, rainy spring, with temperatures lower than normal. Our vineyard in Los Chacayes experienced 5.65 inches of rain in October and November, which is about
65 percent of the yearly annual rainfall!

During October and the early days of November, there were three episodes of intense Zonda winds, which, in combination with the rain and low temperatures, resulted in selective problems with fruit set, known as coulure or shatter, in the Malbec. This resulted in a natural reduction in Malbec yields.

In December, temperatures began to normalize, and January through April, we experienced plenty of sunshine, warm days and little rain, providing excellent maturity and polyphenol development. It was an amazing turnaround in the growing season. The Malbec in particular responded with increased quality and natural concentration. Our Malbec harvest ended April 23rd.

While just about all varietals are showing well, we expect the long-cycle varietals from this vintage will really stand out, especially the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. As of this update (March, 2020) the Malbec is showing exceptional quality fruit, elegant structure with gentle tannins, and average levels of acidity. The overall structure of this vintage is superb and we’re really looking forward to its development.

Outstanding

The 2018 harvest was arguably one of the best in recent years. We experienced a very warm growing season with some late season rainfall which modestly delayed the harvest. Our fruit was incredibly ripe, healthy and all varietals were harvested about 1 week early. Relative to the last formidable growing seasons (2013 and 2017) this vintage will easily approach and likely surpass the quality in terms of structure and acidity.

The 2018 super premium Malbec has magnificent varietal ripeness accompanied by excellent acidic structure and fine, round tannins. Outstanding among the reds are the Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Rhône varietals also produced excellent wines notably, Grenache. While it’s still early, our most recent tastings suggest this will be a long lasting, very age worthy vintage.

Outstanding

The growing season got off to a slow start, with late frosts in October and November, which naturally decreased yields while increasing quality. The growing season improved tremendously starting in December with warm temperatures and very little rain. Weather during harvest was uneventful. The combination of naturally reduced yields and the excellent growing season, delivered grapes with thick skins and well-balanced intensity.

Recent tastings indicate significant depth in the fruit flavors and outstanding textures. The wines are showing great complexity and tannins. Expect slightly higher alcohol than the previous year but slightly below the levels of 2013. Overall excellent wines with great structure, fine grained tannins and deep aromas that should age very well. The Malbec is especially noteworthy and intense.

Very Good

A European like character in wines is the result of a cool and rainy year. Spring in Mendoza felt more like London or Seattle, not the warm and dry weather we normally expect. By the crucial months of February and March, the El Niño rains slowed and enabled an efficient harvest. The harvest ended on April 25th with the first snowfall. This was one of the shortest harvest seasons that we can remember, having started 2-3 weeks late, and ended 2 weeks early. The wines of 2016 are generally lower in alcohol and high in natural acidity. Thinner skins from the rain and cooler weather, meant wines of greater finesse and elegance, but less structure and intensity than is normally found in the Uco Valley. This vintage continues to evolve wonderfully and our Malbec is very approachable with great balance and a subtle elegance.

Very Good

A tricky growing season led to overall lower yields. Our fruit showed balanced development during the warm spring and hot early summer. But the rains came in February and March, which required intensive canopy topping and leaf thinning to increase ventilation. Continued wet weather in April required extreme selectivity during harvest. Malbec is relatively resistant to the effects of rain and the wines are showing well, with amazing character and expression of fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon had a tough year with all the rain. Our 2015 vintage is extremely well balanced and approachable. We’re seeing bright fruit, refined tannins and medium acidity. We expect this vintage to have a shorter aging potential and would drink between 2022 and 2030.

Very Good

The coolest harvest year since 2001, the 2014 vintage had pronounced regional contrasts. Abundant snowmelt (the Andes could be seen covered in snow throughout most of the harvest season). We had an early frost and unusually cool weather in February, March and April, delaying harvest by one to two weeks, while producing average yields. Whites showed fine aromatic detail, with a lighter than typical level of concentration. Reds are fresh and elegant. Our Malbec is showing excellent balance and medium levels of acidity.

Outstanding

After three years of low yields, 2013 brought us an average crop size of exceptional quality. Temperatures were generally cooler throughout summer and especially in early fall, leading to a perfect balance of unusually high natural acidity (lower pH’s) with
moderate to elevated sugar/alcohol levels. Nights were abnormally cool and our harvest was 7 and 10 days later than usual, giving us bright aromatics in addition to the hang-time related smoothness in the tannins. One of the best vintages of the last
decade in Mendoza.

Excellent

Cooler nights than typical, and dry weather in February, March and April created natural acid retention and excellent wines. We had a wonderful combination of medium alcohol levels, high natural acidity and concentrated anthocyanins (color) and tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon was a standout. Malbec has proven to be very well balanced and approachable. Overall reds had less tannin structure and higher acidity.

Excellent

The 2011 growing season was the coolest in the previous decade, delaying the maturation of the grapes. Ripeness was finally achieved 3 weeks later normal. Weather during harvest was very dry, delivering healthy fruit in great condition. Lower yields led to a greater concentration of color and strong tannins that will enable above average bottle aging. Most reds displayed great complexity and concentration.