Antucura Gran Vin 2007
Intense color, high glow ruby. The nose surprises with its blending ripe fruit bouquet: blackberries, raspberries, plums, dried fruits like figs and almonds, subtle notes of roasted pepper that lingers in the aftertaste. The palate is sweet attack, good density, round with a velvety texture, excellent finish that lingers in the memory. Elegant and very complex.
91 pts Robert Parker Jr.’s The Wine Advocate (JM) 12/26/11
The 2007 Gran Vin is made up of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 20% Malbec aged for 18 months in new French oak. More marked by the oak than the Calcura cuvee, it sports an inviting nose of pain grille, pencil lead, earthy minerals, floral notes, black currant, and blackberry. It is slightly more structured, with 2-3 years of aging potential, good balance, and a lengthy, pure finish. Drink it from 2013 to 2019.
91 ptsStephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Mar/Apr 2012
(50% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 20% malbec; aged for 16 months in new Taransaud oak): Saturated deep ruby-red. Plum, graphite and mocha on the nose. Sweet, seamless and velvety; quite lush and full without being heavy. The sweet fruit is leavened by graphite minerality. Finishes with sweet, pliant, building tannins and noteworthy persistence.
Antucura’s proprietor is Anne-Caroline Biancheri and the winemaker is Gabriel Aristarain. Aside from a 2010 Pinot Noir, they have produced a first-class set of wines.
90 pts Wine Enthusiast (MS)
Antucura 2007 Grand Vin (Mendoza). Smooth, subtle and ripe, this has cola, blackberry and subtle spice aromas that sit nicely in the glass. It’s jammy, rich and dense on the palate, with sweet-tasting berry flavors. The finish shows spice and pastry notes. Only 500 cases were made of this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 20% Malbec. Drink now–2015.
89 pts Argovino August 2013
The better behaved older sibling of Antucura’s Calcura Vineyard blend, this wine packs the same high-alcohol punch in a more refined package. The bouquet is earthier, with hints of garam masala, and the tannins are more under control, surrounding a focused flavor of black raspberry mixed with lighter touches of tart stone fruits and sugar cookies that takes plenty of time to subside.
Varietal Composition of wine: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon / 30% Merlot / 20% Malbec Wood aging parameters (type of wood, age of barrels, time in barrels): 16 months in new French oak barrels, then bottles were stored for 12 months with controlled temperature light and humidity before releasing.
Extended maceration for up to 45 days ensures the soft tannins and an elegant profile. The Gran Vin is aged for 16 months in the French oak barrels and held in our cool cellars to develop in bottle for several years.