2021 Mendel Finca Mendel Malbec (Mendoza)

Full bottle 1,125 g. Grapes from Luján de Cuyo at 1,000 m, planted in 1928. 21 days on skins in tank, manual pigeage. 12 months in French oak barrels.
Dark, sweet and seductively plummy nose. Quite luscious cassis flavours sinking deeply into the striations between the tannins, and the membrane-thin boundaries between the fruit and inky tannins are rich with umami. Plush. Elderberry intensity and freshness on the finish. 16.5 points

Sourced from the original 1928 plantings, the 2021 Malbec Luján was a clear highlight within the impressive Mendel range. Leading with a ripe, confident and focused nose of dark fruits, licorice, purple flowers and coffee beans, the palate is slow-moving and supple, displaying an impressive balance between concentration and refinement. The finish begins with a fast attack before receding into a glacially swelling richness framed by ultra-refined tannins. This was quite dynamic in the glass, and I could easily see it meriting a higher score after some time in the cellar. 95+ points

The 2021 Malbec is sourced from Lujan de Cuyo. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, this purplish wine features plum and white pepper aromas alongside a layer of oak. Dry, rich and velvety, the balanced palate persists on the fruit tones with a faintly taut character. This is a delicate and tasteful Lujan Malbec. 92 points