Score: 91/100
The ‘A Lisa’ cuvée (translate as “to Lisa”) by Bodega Noemia is 1/4th of an organic wine, a blend of 90% Malbec, 9% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot.
One quarter of the grapes are produced in the Bodega’s own estate vineyards in the desert of Valle Azul, where they are grown organically and biodynamically. The other 3/4 of the grapes come from local producers with whom the winery has long-term contracts and whose vineyards are managed by Noemia’s viticulture team throughout the year. These leased vineyards are on average 40 years old. Integration of these local producers allows to contribute to the local community’s micro-economy and in turn help protect the heritage of these old vineyards, which continuously risk being torn down, and the land used for other activities. The grapes are 90% Malbec and 10% Merlot. The harvest begins in February and finishes at the end of March.
After fermentation, the wine was matured for about 11 months in 40% used French oak barrels, and 60% in stainless steel tanks.
Tasting Notes
This Argentinian Malbec, from Patagonia, the Southernmost wine region in the country, comes in a super-vibrant red color. It is quite dark, but light-enough to let its blood-looking exciting red color shine through as you pour into your glass or your wine decanter. An outstanding lively red color it has.
The nose also instantly appears lively and full of joyful aromas. There is at first a wealth of quality well-integrated oak. Clove and fine vanilla notes populate the aromatic profile with a firm hand, but in a refined manner. Follow suit powerful fresh strawberry jam notes as well as characterful meaty notes.
On the smell, the wine somewhat reminds of a soy sauce-marinated piece of beef, with green and black pepper notes too, a touch of chili, some vegetal parsley! These aromas, combined with the elegant oak and fresh red berry aromas, make for a salivating sweet/savory smell.
The palate feels concentrated, with chewy body and texture, but plenty of crisp and mineral acidity, and a great flavor concentration.
It’s soft and smooth with velvety tannins, leading to a nearly-silky aftertaste.
Bursting spicy notes of chili underline fruity red capsicum ones. Minty green pepper flavors bring out a wealth of spiciness to this wine, and make the fresh ripe red berry fruit tones come through with a kick of pungency.
Overall
Dry overall, with generous ripe berry flavors, this Patagonia Malbec wine provides a sense of lavish sweetness without having any perceptible residual sugars.
Sweet and savory in its approach to the style and its profile, it is full-bodied, luscious-tasting and rounded, yet feeling relatively dry and perfectly balanced, packed-full of flavors, constantly in tension between power and refinement.
A very enjoyable experience, on its own for the careful taste to feel and analyze plenty of facets to this wine, as well as with food. A wine that will withstand most pairings even with strong and tasty dishes such as grilled meats, stews, or cheeses.
Enjoy 🙂
Learn more about this wine’s region of production: Patagonia
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