2018 Noemia de Patagonia Malbec Argentina Red

2018 Noemia de Patagonia Malbec

97 JS

Featured Review

Super intensity of pure fruit here with blackberries, purple fruit and fresh flowers. Cassis, tile and tapenade undertones, as well as licorice. Full-bodied, dense and layered with refined, polished tannins that go on for minutes. Energetic refinement here. Drinkable now, but better after 2021. James Suckling

James Suckling | 97 JS

2018 was a challenging vintage, cooler in the growing season and then warm toward the end of the harvest. The 2018 Noemía was harvested a little earlier, all the wines have good natural acidity, and this is only 13.5% alcohol. The wine is pretty impressive, elegant and subtle, young but approachable. It's perfumed and expressive, with fully developed flavors despite its moderate alcohol. This comes from a single plot, 1.5 hectares enclosed by a wall, that was planted 89 years ago ungrafted, organically farmed. Through working the soils, they have managed to lower the irrigation and are harvesting looking for crunchiness in the grapes rather than density in the wine. So it has moderate alcohol and vibrant freshness. It matured in 600-liter oak casks, and the wine keeps very good freshness; the wine was taken out of the oak during the summer, and that seems to have kept very good freshness. There's terrific purity, focus and symmetry, and the wine is super balanced and harmonious, with all the components to develop nicely in bottle. This is remarkably better than the 2017 I tasted last time. Hans Vinding Diers talks about a new chapter with this 2018. 6,000 bottles and 150 magnums were filled in February 2020.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RP

A Malbec from Mainque, planted in 1932, aged in 600-liter barrels for 18 months. It boasts a combination of elegance and liveliness that the oenologist responsible for it, Hans Vinding Diers, the current owner of the winery, says “marks the beginning of a new path” in which the vineyard is managed with great attention to detail. And with extraordinary results. The perfumed nose runs through layers of sweet and sour cherry and onto the woody notes with purity and precision that evoke the landscapes of Patagonia. Delicate but compelling in the mouth; the tannins are extremely fine and give a cozy, warm sensation that begins in the lips, as though you’d rubbed them with Chapstick. Silky and flavorful, with both punch and subtlety, it has a natural energy in which each different element is in equilibrium; that’s the key to this breathtaking wine.

Vinous Media | 97 VM

Type of Wine	Argentina Red : If there were ever a single word that could perfectly describe fine Argentinian wines, it would be "purity." Red wine lovers could easily become spoiled for choice when that choice involves varietals such as Malbec or Tempranillo. With a complete dedication to a given grape, each bottle tells a compelling story, so have a seat and listen.
Varietal	Malbec : When one door closes, another opens; such is true for the magnificent Malbec grape varietal. Though it originated in Southwest France and was originally one of the five main Bordeaux grape varietals, its history in that country is a troubled one. But…In the last few decades Malbec has been rejuvenated and has once again been thrust into the global spotlight. The star of Argentina is not native to South American, nevertheless has found a home, fame and success in its terroir. The geographical origin of Malbec is not known with certainty; however, most sources and DNA testing have concluded that Malbec most likely originated in the vineyards surrounding the Lot River in Southwest France near the town of Cahors. The “black wines” from Cahors were incredibly popular with the medieval clergy and royalty and were reputedly served at the 1152 wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II of England. In 1225, Henry III refused to allow Bordeaux authorities from taxing wines sent by Cahors’ merchants who were under his protection. Pope John XXII (born in Cahors in 14th century) used vintages from the area as sacramental wines in Avignon (when Papal court resided in France). Malbec had become immensely popular in Southwest France and eventually migrated to Bordeaux in the 1700’s where the varietal found success and greatly influenced blending in the Right Bank as well as the Medoc. Malbec was a major component to Bordeaux blends prior to the 19th century and may have greatly impacted the official 1855 Classification. During the early 1800’s, it is thought that some estates used as much as 50% in their blending. When the phylloxera epidemic crippled most of Bordeaux’s vineyards in 1869, much of the vines devoted to Malbec were destroyed. Due to the grapes natural susceptibility to various diseases, frost, mildew and coulure (viticultural hazard resulting from changing weather patterns) most of the major replanting in the region was in favor of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The final fall from favor for Malbec in Bordeaux occurred after the devastating frost of 1956. During the time of its fall in Bordeaux, Malbec was on the rise in the most unlikely of places, Argentina. It is thought to have been brought to South America in the 1850’s by Michel Pouget where the varietal prospered in optimum climate and terroir. The inky black-blue and thin-skinned Malbec grape requires specific climatic conditions to fully ripen. In Mondoza, Argentina, it found these requirements and much more. The grape is adaptable to a variety of soil types; however, Malbec reaches its true zenith in the terroir of rocky, sandy soils of Mendoza which are low in fertility, but perfect for viticulture. This kind of soil forces the vines to work harder for hydration and nutrients, producing smaller berries. The result is fruit that is highly concentrated and flavorful. Where Malbec is adaptable to a variety of soils, making terroir less of a concern, it is however quite sensitive to consistently changing weather patterns and temperatures. Malbec thrives in dry climates, sunny weather and high elevations, perfectly describing the natural climate and terrain of Argentina. In Mendoza, Malbec enjoys the hot sun, most likely because of its high vigor and dense leaf canopy. The warm evening temperatures contribute to the reduction of grape acids, so that Malbec in Argentina is not as acidic as that in France. Furthermore, growers have observed that older Malbec vines in Mendoza’s higher altitude areas produce Malbec grapes with intense color, flavor and structure. The introduction of Malbec to Argentina is considered one of the greatest contributions to South America and its winemaking and growing industry. Today, Malbec is the undisputed star of Argentina, where the fruit reaches its best expression. Since the 1990’s Malbec from Mendoza has created a stir on the wine market with consumers clawing to get bottles from star producers such as Catena Zapata and Cheval des Andes. It is nearly ironic that Bordeaux producers have begun partnering with proprietors in Mendoza but the result of this union has done great things for both the country’s wine industry as well as the production of quality bottlings for consumers who have become tantalized by the inky-black wines produced there. When ripe, it adds dark color, tannin and spicy characteristics to the wine, producing deep-colored, rich wines with freshness, balanced acidity, lush, round and supple textures with flavors of plum and blackberry. Despite its demise in Bordeaux and its great accomplishments in Argentina, Cahors remains the spiritual home for Malbec. AOC (controlled designation of origin) laws dictate that no less than 70% of the variety be included in the blend. Malbec continues to enjoy a long history in Southwest France, particularly the appellation of Cahors, which could date back to the ancient Romans. It remains a symbol of success in Southwest France and a budding star of Argentina.
Country	Argentina : Argentina’s landscape is marked by its extreme geographical features; from the soaring, rocky peaks of the Andes’ and coastal Patagonia to the arid soils of Mendoza to the fertile Pampas lowlands in the east. Its vast array of landscapes, climate and geography, along with truly accomplished and passionate vintners has helped galvanize its name among the very best wine producing regions in the world. Its adopted grape variety, Malbec, is now responsible for some of Argentina’s most famous wines and has helped to elevate its ever growing wine industry. Vines have been cultivated in Argentina since the 1500’s; however it was not until the 1990s when its true potential was recognized, drawing the attention of accomplished winemakers to its diverse soils. After making a name for himself in California, Paul Hobbs’ foresight and vision led him to cultivate Argentinian soil. More than merely an exploration of terroirs, Vina Cobos was created to showcase what is possible with one of the world’s most compelling noble varietals, Malbec, in a land where its soul soars above all others. Its inaugural vintage marked a milestone, but two decades later, Cobos made history when the 2011 vintage Cobos Malbec became the country’s first professionally rated 100-point wine, defying existing standards and firmly positioning Malbec and Argentina on the international wine scene. This accomplishment became the blueprint that many others would follow. Today, the high altitude deserts have given rise to a high quality wine industry. The region of Mendoza has gained global recognition for its quality production of Malbec, the ubiquitous and most compelling varietal cultivated in Argentina. Three quarters of Argentinian wine production takes place in Mendoza with Mendoza Malbec accounting for 85% of all Malbec produced in the country. In addition to its flagship varietal, Argentina also boasts significant plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Bonarda and its signature, aromatic white varietal, Torrontes. In more recent years, vineyards have been planted to Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Tempranillo. Despite its location near the equator, extreme temperatures are muted by the high altitudes and cold mountain air. Argentina is home to a world-topping vineyard and currently the highest elevation being cultivated at a whopping 9,900 feet above sea level. The Andes’ play a significant role in its climate as it casts a rain shadow over its foothills, allowing very little rain fall and a slow growing season. This slow ripening period leads to concentrated fruit, balanced sugars and acidity in the grapes. From the southern reaches of Patagonia to the northern regions of Salta and Catamarca, the land plays a vital role in the winegrowing and making practices here. Its terroir is well suited to not only Malbec, but to the many varieties in the country’s portfolio. Argentina boasts an impressive 223,500 hectares under vine with an annual wine output of 10.8 million hectoliters. The country has recently edged Australia’s production and now sits at fifth among all leading producers in the world. Argentina has become one of the most important wine producing countries on Earth, the largest region in South America and one of the principal faces of New World winemaking. Argentina is a remarkable land; one which truly tells its story through the wine itself.
Region	Argentina : The largest wine producer in South America also holds its place as one of the most prominent winemaking regions in the world. Argentinian vineyards are mostly situated in the shadow of the Andes, on high altitudes but comfortably sheltered from rain, relying on meltwater for their irrigation. This fortunate terroir allows for a slow, steady ripening process which unmistakably provides wines that are consistently intense, vibrant, balanced between the sweetness and acidity with a bright, plump, fruity bouquet. The first Argentinian wine that comes to mind is Malbec. Though the grape is adopted from Bordeaux, it's Argentina that produces some of the most luscious, richest, highest-quality Malbec wines today. Mostly produced in Mendoza, these gems brilliantly showcase the mighty but beautiful spirit of the Andes and the life that's being lead there. Home to Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bonarda varieties among many others, this region produces some of the finest bottles in the world. Potent yet layered, sweet but tart and packed with floral, black currant and spice flavors, these wines are not the ones to miss out on. If you're on the lookout for stunning reds, or delicate, floral, mouthwatering white wines, Argentina should make the top of your list.
Subregion	Rio Negro