1 | Wine | Argentina, 2009, 750 ml

"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."

"Licorice and chocolatey oak dominate the nose. Very ripe and thick but also juicy and serious, with a flavor of raspberry liqueur supported by serious tannic structure. Less confectionery than the Patriota or Jubilo bottlings, and a bit less easygoing today. Finishes broad, round, lush and fairly tannic, with strong chocolatey oak tones and good energy. This held up nicely with extended aeration."

"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

"Elegant personality but with a firm structure. Elements of savory black fruits intermingled with floral notes and exotic spices lead to a layered, spicy palate that expands nicely in the glass".

"Notions of pain grille, mineral, Asian spices, lavender, and black cherry lead to an elegant, impeccably balanced wine with outstanding volume and length".