2009 Flechas de los Andes 'Gran Corte' Uco Valley, Edmond de Rothschild
Critics reviews
Neal Martin - 31/10/2012
About this WINE
Baron Edmond de Rothschild
Malbec
Known as Auxerrois in Cahors, Cot in the Loire and Malbeck in Argentina, this grape has undergone a mini renaissance in the last decade, largely fuelled by its success in South America. It used to be a staple component of the Bordeaux Blend, but it never recovered fully from the 1956 frosts and its plantings there have fallen by 75% as growers have replaced it with more fashionable, and crucially, more durable grapes.
It is still grown successfully in South West France where its most famous wine is Cahors. This wine used to be black as coal and tough as leather but improvements in viticultural and vinification techniques have led to riper, softer, more approachable wines that are now amongst the best of the region.
In Argentina it is widely grown and produces deep coloured wines with generous black fruit characteristics, balanced acidity and smooth tannins. It is either bottled on its own or as part of a Bordeaux blend. In Chile it is the 3rd most widely planted grape after Pais and Cabernet Sauvignon and tends to produce firmer, more tannic wines than its Argentinian neighbours. In Chile it is often blended with Merlot and Petit Verdot.
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Description
The 2009 Gran Corte comes from one of the best plots in the vineyard and a selection of the finest barrels. A blend of 60% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Franc and 20% Syrah aged in new French oak for 18 months, it has a surprisingly taciturn bouquet on first acquaintance. It gradually unfurls to offer black currant, blueberry, cedar and crushed stone that is well-defined. The palate is very smooth and harmonious on the entry with fine, slightly brittle tannins that encase some lovely, pure, mineral-rich fruit. This is a sophisticated red blend that handles the new oak well, plus there is great precision and vitality on the finish. This should age with style over the next ten years. Drink now-2025.
Neal Martin - 31/10/2012
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