San Pedro De Yacochuya 2009 (750ML)

91 VM / 90 WA

(malbec grown at an altitude of 6,500 feet; 16.1% alcohol; aged for 12 months in 60% new French oak): Bright ruby-red. Exotic blackberry, molten chocolate, coffee and a wild whiff of game on the nose; just short of raisiny. Silky-sweet, round and fat, with an utterly seamless texture in light of the wine's very high alcohol. Just enough acidity here to give shape to the rich blackberry and chocolate flavors. Finishes with sweet, even tannins and palate-saturating length. This bruiser lacks finesse but will have its admirers. I'm not sure where it can go in the bottle. Enologist Michel Rolland makes this wine with the Etchart family. (Incidentally, two samples of the 2006 premium wine, called simply Yacochuya, were too pruney and high-toned to recommend, in spite of their huge chocolatey richness.) -- Stephen Tanzer 91 pts

The deep purple-colored 2009 Malbec is the estates entry-level wine and includes 15% Cabernet Sauvignon in its blend. It was aged for 12 months in 60% new French oak and bottled without fining or filtration. Asian spices, incense, licorice, lavender, and black cherry are just some of the elements composing the wines aromatic array. In the glass it is dense, rich, full-bodied, and powerful yet surprisingly light on its feet. It conceals enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years but can be approached now. It is an ideal match for one of Argentinas unequaled free-range rib-eye steaks grilled over a wood fire. -Jay Miller, 90 Points, Wine Advocate