Deep purple color; blackberry, plum, dark cherry, raisin, oak, vanilla, earth on the nose and palate.
Dry; reserved tannins and acidity (3.60 pH). Full body; 100% estate-grown malbec from the vineyard’s top vines. Vines planted in 1992 in the Maipu-Lujan area of Mendoza. Manual harvest. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel for 31-32 days. Aged in French oak for 24 months. Smooth, fleshy in the mouth. Somewhat restrained fruit. Made in elegant old school Mendoza malbec style. 14.3% ABV
The late Ricardo Santos was the first Argentine maker to bring the varietal to the U.S. with Norton-Medoza Malbec 1972. He sold Norton in 1989 and purchased his vineyard in Russell, Maipu, Mendoza. A new winery was completed in 2005. Wine is made in both stainless steel and concrete tanks. Today’s winemaker is Ricardo’s son, Patricio Santos. The winery stresses their operation remains a family enterprise.
Ricardo Santos El Gran Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2018 is made in the more traditional, elegant style with some heaviness, dark fruit, earthiness. Very good balance and structure. Suitable for extended aging. Solid effort from famed maker—Santos started Norton and pioneered malbec in the U.S. market in the early 1970s. His family carries on the tradition today. Pair with beef—tender cuts, beef ribs with barbecue sauce; lamb; pork; venison; duck; vegetables—roasted peppers, mushrooms. Cheese—semi-hard cheese with no or retrained saltiness; asiago, cheddar, gouda, colby, soft blue cheese, provolone. $34-38
http://www.ricardosantos.com/RS_web/en/home.php
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