1994 Cavas De Weinert Malbec Estrella

Bodegas y Cavas De Weinert is in Mendoza, Argentina. The estate was originally founded in the late 19th century, then abandoned in the early 20th century. In 1975 it was acquired by Bernardo C. Weinert and its debut vintage was 1977. Bodegas y Cavas De Weinert includes 99 acres in Mendoza and another 49 acres in Patagonia. Vineyards are planted to Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gamay, Chenin Blanc and Tempranillo. The estate produces about 65,000 cases a year. Robert M. Parker Jr. called the estate’s 1977 Malbec a wine “that competes with finest red wines made anywhere in the world….I unequivocally believe that this estate from Argentina is making the most profound red wine in South America.”

Mendoza on the western edge of Argentina is the nation’s largest and most important wine producing region. With about a billion acres under vine, the region of Mendoza alone has nearly half as many vineyards acres as all of the United States. Located on the edge of the Andes, vineyards here are high, usually 2,000 to 3,600 feet above sea level, yet they enjoy a relatively temperate climate and four distinct seasons. The soil is sandy and alluvial with clay underneath and moderate rainfall encourages growth. Historically Argentina, and Mendoza, grew pink skin grapes for slightly sweet pink or white wines. Those grapes are still grown for bulk jug wine. Since the late 1980s, however, Malbec has been Mendoza’s most important grape, since it makes a rich, dark, robust, age-worth red. The second most important red grape is Bonarda, which is thought to be the same grape that California growers know as Charbono. Italian and Spanish red grapes including Sangiovese, Barbera and Tempranillo were brought by immigrants, and they are grown today. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Torrontés and numerous other red and white grapes are also grown successfully.

This grape produces a dark red wine with plenty of tannins. It is one of the six grapes allowed for blending red Bordeaux wines. Malbec is also the flagship variety of Argentina. The grape needs a lot of sun and heat to mature. It adds complexity and intensity to blends.