TERRIOR
Malbec in Argentina
Subsequently president of Argentina from 1864 to 1874, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento and Malbec grapes are both associated with the development of Argentina's wine industry. In 1853, Sarmiento tasked French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget with bringing new vines to Argentina to help transform the country's wine industry. Pouget brought a Malbec clone thought to be extinct today in France. The climate and soil of Mendoza province were ideal for the vines, and Malbec cultivation there expanded to tens of thousands of acres by the early decades of the twentieth century. Today Argentina is by far the largest producer of Malbec in the world.
Malbec in La Consulta
Our vineyard is located within the boundaries of La Consulta, one of five appellations in the Uco Valley of Mendoza. Ranging from 3,000 to 3,800 ft on the lower reaches of the Andes mountains, La Consulta's vineyards are blessed with abundant sunlight, pure air and mountain water. Warmed to an average 78° during the day in the peak ripening season, they are cooled at night to the 57° range by downdrafts from a nearby ridge of the Andes that has peaks in the 16,000 ft range.
Like ours, most of the traditional La Consulta vineyards are watered by irrigation canals emanating from the Tunuyan River. The terrain in the area is largely alluvial. A clay base is topped with rocks and sand, providing good drainage and, allowing the vines to grow deep, strong roots.
The special characteristics of the La Consulta terrior are reflected in characteristics of the brands, like ours, that focus on maximizing quality:
Color: Deep purple
Aroma & Flavor: Black, blue fruit, spicy floral characteristics
Tannins: Restrained tannins, often referred to as “velvety”
Flavors: Red and black fresh fruits, raspberry, blueberry, spice, mocha
Acidity: Crisp
Mouthfeel: Concentration without being heavy, balanced, lingering finish
