Antucura Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
December 2014
Malbec may sit front and center stage in Argentina but every year it appears that Cabernet Sauvignon seems to be narrowing this gap. A terrific example of this is the 2013 Antucura Cabernet Sauvignon out of the Vista Flores region. This is all about refinement and might we say almost elegant and understated in its delivery, more Old World rather than New in terms of fruit weight and primary ripeness. Classic Vista Flores’ floral overtures along the lines of violets and lavender give way to tobacco spiced, dark red currents and plum on the nose. Medium fuller bodied, the tannins are finer grained and harmoniously supple, working in perfect union with the red and darker red fruit flavors. This has the structure where it should have some good medium term aging and drink nicely over the next 3-4 years
95 points Decanter Magazine September 2014
Gorgeously refined, almost French in style. Typical Vista Flores notes of violets, lavender, tobacco and black pepper on the nose. The palate is medium to full-bodied with very fine-grained, classy tannins. Fruit characters on the palate are more dried fruit than lush and primary. Lovely age-worthy Cabernet.
90 pts Decorchados 2015
88 pts Stephen Tanzer’s IWC – (no new oak):
Saturated dark red. Aromas of plum, licorice, spices, mint, mocha and nutty oak. Fresh, dense and sweet, with a bit of CO2 yet to be absorbed. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and a salty element that gives the persistent finish a slight dry edge. — Stephen Tanzer
Thanks to a natural thinning of the vineyard produced by low temperatures during the flowering season, fruits reached sweet and round tannins in harvest time providing a defined structure, fleshy, with a typical characteristic of the variety, capping a wine-colored intense, spicy aroma and delicate floral notes.