Sourced from the 3,500 ft Remolinos Vineyard in Agrelo, named for the whirlwinds (remolinos) that keep this site dry, fresh and pristine. Red florals, black raspberries are bedded with pork belly, scented with ample camp smoke and thorns, and housed with cushy, oak-plumped tannins that work well to support. Though there is a vein of freshness, this big red requires BBQ meats to match property. Decant.
From a single vineyard in Gualtallary, Uco Valley, this is the project of legendary winemaker Susana Balboa's son José Lovaglio Balbo. José focuses on single vineyard wines from different sub regions of Northern Mendoza and varying soil types, all sharing vinification with minimal intervention and oak contact. This vineyard was planted in 2008 on sandy, stony loams at 3,800 ft altitude. That freshness is apparent right off, with alluring perfumed black plums, black raspberries and cracked peppercorn. Tannins are tuggy, hugging the fruit through a stony, lifted finish. Though alcohol reads 14 degrees, the inherent freshness here is unmistakable. This charming young red is ready for drinking now, but will hold in cellar short term.
Perfumed violets, blackberry, sweet wood and ample smoky spice take over this plush Malbec, sourced from higher altitude vineyards in the Andean foothills. 8 months in 70/30 French/American oak have certainly left their impression on this wine, with roasted coffee, cedar spice, grilled meats and a lingering bitter dark chocolate. Drink now, with grilled burgers or ribs.
From the Pedernal Valley and sourced from Malbec at 1,350 m, this approachable Malbec spent 15 months in new American and French barrels, which is felt in the spiciness of this generous, big red. Cedar, cherries, raspberries, blackberries are framed with dense, sweet tannins that dry out quickly on the snappy, peppery finish. Up front and ready for consumption now, especially with grilled beef, pork or mushrooms.
Dadaism is set as artistic anarchy rejecting the social, political and cultural values from 1916 to the mid 1920s. Dadaists rejected any cultural or societal norms. This wine, named in honour of those revolutionaries, should eschew oak, overripeness and sweet fruit. BUT it so does not. Soft and ripe black and blue fruit is scented with sweet smoke and has had tannins nearly removed, leaving a plush, warming, smoked cocoa red. Simple enough, but Dada-opposite.
As the label alludes, this is filled with the perfume of thistle, which overrides (to a degree) the reductive notes stewing underneath (air is this wine's friend). From El Alto Vineyard in Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, this vineyard rests on sandy clay loams at 1,050 m. Big, punchy plum, blueberry and blackberry fruited, with a fine peppery spice and tautly gritty tannins to a warming finish. This is a kicky, youthful wine, 13.5 degrees, for drinking now with grilled pork or empanadas.
Vaglio is a project by José Lovaglio, son of legendary Argentine winemaker Susana Balbo. These wines are meant to exemplify Argie terroir, not winemaking. Plush, dusky dark red fruited, this Malbec is sourced from different areas in Mendoza's Uco Valley, from sites that José works with for his single vineyard wines. The whole is scented with dark perfumed blooms, the tannins worked soft, and the finish trails with a fine medicinal edge. Though fleshy on the palate, this is held to a reported respectable 13 degrees, and ideal for drinking now with lusty grilled ribs.