Descorchados 97 – best ever and above many $400 Malbecs from Paul Hobbs and others:
Michelini i Mufatto obtains 3 wines from its La Cautiva Vineyard. Óleo and La Cuni are selections from certain blocks, while this La Cautiva is a sort of summary of that place in Gualtallary, an extreme vineyard above an altitude of 1,600 meters in a hidden corner of the Andes in the Uco Valley. Check out the flavors of this wine—a combination of tart red-fruit notes garnished with herbs and some flowers. The texture is firm and tense from the acidity, but also from the firm, sharp tannins. The delicious finish smells of flowers in a Malbec with a strong sense of place. A mountain red.
And Vinous 96 – also above a bunch of $100+ Vina Cobos and El Enemigo Malbecs:
The 2021 Malbec La Cautiva hails from La Cautiva vineyard, planted 1500 meters above sea level in Gualtallary, Uco Valley. It was fermented with whole clusters. Purple in color. The nose presents violets, sage lavender, crushed plums and hints of cinnamon from the stems. Dry, lean and juicy, the restrained palate flows with a compact feel, becoming even tauter due to its chalky texture. This high-altitude malbec is compact yet almost velvety, offering a flavorful experience.
Again, this is $80 at Wine.com…and their top Malbec at that price.
If you don’t believe Argentina can produce a truly world class, quintessentially “fine wine” to compete with, say, classic red Bordeaux, this one proves that they can. Interestingly, it comes in a Burgundy-shaped bottle…perhaps to emphasize both what an artisanal wine it is and what a refined one.
