Dominio de la Plata Ben Marco Malbec 2012

Description

Susana Balbo, the most revered female Argentinian winemaker bowled me over with the purity of fruit, fragrance and gorgeous elegance of this seamless Malbec … the female touch is on display here!

Susana was the first female winemaking graduate in 1981 at Don Bosco University and transformed Michel Torino winery in Cafayate Salta to a quality producer and then back to Mendoza with leading winery Bodega Martins.  In 1998 she joined Nicola Catena and was part of the team that designed and directed the construction of the Catena Zapata winery, which is one of the most cutting edge and recognizable structures in Argentine wine. She now has fulfilled her lifelong dream to open her own winery Dominio de La Plata that is firmly established in Agrelo, Mendoza in the foothills of the Andes in the Uco Valley. This fine tinto (95% Malbec, 5% Bonarda) is very smart – fruit sourced from vineyards above 1000 metres Alto Agrelo, Anchoris (Luján de Cuyo) & Vista Flores (Uco Valley) and 12 months maturation in French oak.  2012 was an excellent vintage in Mendoza so depth of fruit structure and balance on display here.
90 points Steven Tanzer International Wine Cellar – “Bright ruby-red. Slightly roasted blackberry, espresso and licorice on the nose, along with a peppery accent. Intensely flavored and nicely dense, showing noteworthy refinement to its dark berry and black cherry flavors. A touch deeper than the cabernet, finishing with serious tannins that spread out to dust the palate. Offers plenty of sex appeal already.”
90 points Wine & Spirits – “A rich and juicy malbec, this is packed with ripe red fruit and violet scents. You could drink it now for its seductive smoothness, or allow it to develop in the bottle for three years or more.”

RRP: $44