1 | Wine | Mendoza, 2009

"Pain grille, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, violets, and assorted black fruits inform the nose of a complex, intense, layered, spicy, succulent wine with impeccable balance and length. Although it can be approached now, it will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring."

"Purple in color, with a brooding bouquet, it is a dense, structured, rich wine with impeccable balance, volume, and length. It has the structure to evolve for 2-3 years but can be approached now. It, too, is a great value."

"Ruby-red. Good spicy lift to the aromas of blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. Pure and focused, with intense dark berry and spice flavors firmed by a solid spine of acidity. Finishes strong and long, with broad but fine tannins. Excellent potential here."-Stephen Tanzer

"The flagship is the 2009 Grand Malbec, a contender for Malbec of the vintage at this early stage. A glass-coating opaque purple color with legs that ooze down the glass, it offers up a beautiful bouquet of sandalwood, exotic spices, truffle, floral notes, red licorice, and black cherry. Voluptuous on the palate, this sweetly-fruited, dense, nicely proportioned Malbec will evolve for 4-5 years and deliver prime drinking from 2015 to 2029."

"Plush on the palate, it offers up loads of sweet black cherry fruit. It has a different aromatic and flavor profile than Vintage Port (the wine is not fortified and was made with new oak) but can be utilized at the table for similar purposes."

"Good red-ruby. Restrained but pure aromas of black cherry and licorice lifted by spices. Juicy but imploded; a bit tart but nicely energetic. In a rather reserved, medicinal style, in need of a bit more flesh and give. No easy sweetness here, but finishes with a smooth dusting of tannins and decent length." -Stephen Tanzer

"Spice, licorice and black tea aromas give way to mulled plum and blackberry fruit. The finish is rich, but still fresh."

"This first vintage of the Valentin Bianchi Cabernet shows spicy aromas, cassis and berry notes are evident in the nose, a balanced mouth-feel and flavors lead to a pleasing, soft berryvanilla finish."