After a tour of the museum at Bodega La Rural that detailed the history of winemaking in Mendoza and featured an incredible collection of winemaking tools, including a press station made from an entire ox skin, I tasted this wine, a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that was aged in new French and new American oak for twelve months prior to release. At pop and pour, it displays deep mixed berry fruit, cinnamon, sarsaparilla and vanilla. It is very dry on the palate, with good translation of aroma into flavor, while showing a fair amount of oak that is yet to integrate. The finish is long, with the oak spice forward. It should integrate nicely over the next two years. It improves markedly with some time in the glass, and finishes rich and long. It’ll go great with your tabletop Parrilla Argentina presentation!
Bodega La Rural, Mendoza (Argentina) Cabernet – Malbec 2012
By Rich Cook