A high elevation wine, grown in Bianchi’s Uco Valley estate vineyards at 3700 feet in the foothills of the Andes range. High elevation allows for long hangtime and large diurnal temperature swings that preserve acidity through the ripening process. Here the result is a wine that features classic Argentine Malbec savory character with black fruit, brown spice and mild herbs. Stone minerality rounds out the package, with all the elements in play through the long finish. It’s at the beginning of a very long drinking window, and at 30 bucks I’d stock up. Contains 59% Malbec, 23% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Tannat.
Gran Famiglia Bianchi, Valle de Uco (Mendoza, Argentina) 2017
By Rich Cook