93 pts Robert Parker Jr.’s The Advocate (LG)
The 2010 Coleccion de la Familia Brote Negro is their top Malbec, from a specific clone that they feel is different. The red-stemmed vines produce small bunches. They believe this is the oldest clone from Mendoza and that it was probably discarded because of its low yields. The plants only produce, on average, one bunch of grapes. The wine is aged for 14 months in new French oak barrels. It is very dark, opaque-colored, and quite oaky at this point in time, with notes of smoked meat and very ripe black fruit. The full-bodied palate is dense and intense, displaying good acidity along with flavors of black fruit and dark spices, aniseed and licorice. Concentrated but balanced, it is a powerful wine in need of some bottle aging. Drink 2016-2020.

92 pts Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (ST)
(aged in one-third new oak for 16 months): Bright, saturated medium ruby. Lively aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice pastille and chocolatey oak. Densely packed and chocolatey-ripe, conveying an impression of chewy extract to its dark berry and black cherry flavors. Shows plenty of mocha and coffee oak influence but this broad, full wine avoids coming off as heavy or particularly sweet. Finishes quite broad and chocolatey, with huge but supple tannins that coat the front teeth.

91 pts Wine Enthusiast
Woody, savory, rich aromas of black fruits introduce a rich, creamy, modern palate with lush blackberry, chocolate and vanilla flavors. As a whole, this Malbec is dense, deep and round, with warmth and an overriding baked character. Drink through 2019.