While we see more and more wine from Argentina here in the U.S. most of Argentina’s wines are still consumed in the country. Only about 20% make it out of the country, and most of what does is Argentina’s flagship grape, Malbec. The Mendoza region is where the majority of the best Malbec is grown, and in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, Malbec shines.
The 2018 Wayra Estate Uco Valley Mendoza Malbec is one of the valley’s wines that shines. Uco Valley’s vintage shined in 2018, too. Robert Parker blessed this vintage with a 95-point review, and Wine Spectator stated that "nearly ideal growing conditions deliver well-structured winesthat feature fine-grained tannins and ripe fruit flavors."
The estate’s vineyards sit among the Andres Mountains, and they’re naturally irrigated with meltwater that trickles down the mountains into the vines that thrive in the sandy loam and alluvial rocks with calcareous soils that imbue the wine with complexity and minerality.
Wayra comes from the Quechua dialect “huayra” which means “wind.” This name is an ode to the Mountain winds where this wine is born. “Of an adventurous and romantic spirit. With its warm breath, the messenger of spring melts the snow of the Andes and brings fertility to the crops.” The vineyard is managed under sustainable and organic practices.
Wayra is owned by Chilean winery Calyptra, a family-owned boutique winery founded by Dr. José Zarhi in 1989. In 2018 Dr. José expanded his wine business to Argentina, where he joined forces with Fernando Rodríguez Merino to create Calyptra Argentina, located in Tunuyan, the heart of Uco Valley. The Argentinian vineyard and winery are dedicated to the production of high-end wines.
The same philosophy is at the heart of Calyptra’s Chilean wines and Argentinian wines: “To produce unique, authentic, honest wines that reflect the soil, the origin, and the dedication and passion.”Calyptra’s Chilean wines often end up on the annual James Suckling’s “Top Wines” lists. It wouldn’t surprise us if the Argentinian wines joined them on the list soon. Winemaker Bernardo Bossi Bonilla ensures that the excellent climate and soil characteristics of each vintage are reflected in the aromatic and expressive notes in the intense color of this great wine.
James Suckling praised this Mendoza Malbec with 91 points and raved about its full body and “fine tannins, and plush, ripe core of fruit.” We concur, and we’re excited to bring this wine to you for the Lowest Price Anywhere. At under $20 (and an amazing 45% off), this Uco Valley fine wine just may become your new Argentinian go-to!
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