Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

Altamira, Uco Valley, Mendoza

Tasting Notes

A wine of an Intense, ruby red color. It displays aromas of blueberries and blackberries and notes of flowers and licorice. Intense but gentle at the same time, with an elegant finish and round tannins.

Red meat, pork, poultry and stuffed pasta.

Hand-harvested. Fermented at a maximum temperature of 28°C (82°F) with selected yeasts. In contact with the skins for 35 days. Preserved on lees with battonages.

Aged 13 months in French oak (30% new, 70% second-use).

Region: Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco (Mendoza)
Altitude: 1,150 m / 3,770 ft above sea level (average)

Varietals: 96% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14.5%
Acidity: 5.48 g/L

Tasting Notes

Intense ruby red color. Aromas of blueberries, notes of licorice and flowers. An affable wine with intense body. Elegant finish and round tannins.

Beef, pork, game meats, cream-based sauces.

Selected yeasts. Maximum fermentation temperature was 28°C (82°F). Total mace-ration time was 35 days. In contact with lees by means of battonage. Aged for 13 months in 30% new French oak barrels and 70% second-use French oak barrels.

Grapes grown in Finca La Delfina, Altamira, Valle de Uco, at an average elevation of 1,050 m. (3,445 ft)

Blend is 92% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc Alcohol 14.6%; acidity 5.8 g/L.

Tasting Notes

Beautiful deep violet color. It is a balanced and well-structured wine with flavors of raspberry, dark plum and currant that feature plenty of refined savory accents. Hints of mineral and smoke appear on its elegant, velvety and long finish. Well integrated oak and filigree tannins.

Beef, pork, game meats, cream-based sauces.

Destemmed, lightly crushed. Pumping over and delestage 3 times a day. Max. temp. 28°C. Extended maceration 35 days. Aged for 13 months in 30% new French oak barrels and 70% second-use French oak barrels.

Grapes grown in Finca La Delfina, Altamira, Uco Valley, at an average elevation of 1,050 m. (3,440 ft)

Blend is 94% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol 14.5%; acidity 5.4 g/L.

DOWNLOAD

Enjoy the downloadable assets for this wine below.

  • 2022-06-09

    94

    points

    Tim Atkin, June 2022

    "Suitably intense and dark in colour, Signature is made with a combination of Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc from some of Susana Balbo’s chalkiest parcels in Paraje Altamira. Subtle, refined and understated, with chalky freshness, redcurrant and black cherry flavours and top notes of mint and cut grass. 2024-32"

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 2022-03-31

    93

    points

    James Suckling, March 2022

    "Smoky raspberries and blueberries with dried licorice, tar and some sweet spices and praline. A medium-bodied red, but quite compact and tight, filled with silky, frosted tannins that knit with the fruit. A nimble malbec with berry fruit at the end. Vegan. Drink or hold."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 2021-03-31

    93

    Points

    Wine Advocate, March 2021

    "The 2018 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec shows superbly; it's aromatic, expressive and open, combining floral and spicy notes and with a medium-bodied palate and very fine tannins. The Malbec from Altamira was combined with some 8% Cabernet Franc, and the two varieties seem to work very well together and complement each other. 145,000 bottles produced."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 2020-04-02

    93

    Points

    James Suckling, April 2020

    "A red with blackberry and blueberry aromas. Hints of tar. Medium body. Very fine tannins. Shows a pretty, chocolate and hazelnut aftertaste. Drink or hold."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 2019-12-31

    90

    Points

    Wine Spectator, December 2019

    "Notes of black olive accent the dark currant, tar and dried blackberry flavors, featuring vibrant mineral hints. The firm, savory finish lingers with slate elements. Drink now through 2024. 8,000 cases made, 6,800 cases imported."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 2019-09-05

    92

    Points

    Vinous, September 2019

    "Bright ruby-red. More medicinal on the nose than the Signature Cabernet, showing slightly reduced aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate. Very intense and alive, with surprising acidity and sexy chalky mineral lift giving the wine terrific inner-mouth tension (the pH of this Altamira wine is a moderate 3.5--lower than that of the Cabernet Sauvignon). Finishes with suave, broad tannins and touch of charcoal. This sexy wine should age gracefully and is a splendid value. (aged for 13 months in 30% new and 70% used French oak)"

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 2019-03-27

    94

    Points

    James Suckling, March 2019

    "Pretty cabernet with blackcurrant and green-tea aromas and flavors. Medium body. Hazelnut, dried-flower and cedar undertones. Fine finish. Racy. Drink or hold."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2020 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec – 93 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

2020 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec – 93 points, James Suckling – Sell Sheet

2020 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec – 94 points, Tim Atkin – Sell Sheet

2020 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec – 94 points, Tim Atkin – Shelftalker

Susana Balbo Signature Malbec – Bottle – New

2020 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec – Tasting Notes

2018 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec – Label

2017 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec – Label

2018 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec Tasting Notes

2017 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec Tasting Notes

2018 Susana Balbo Signature Wine Advocate reviews 7-18 Sales Sheet

Susana Balbo Signature Malbec – Bottle – Old

Our Brands Brand Assets Inside Folio News & Media Contact Us Wine Locator Account Login

550 Gateway Drive, Suite 220 | Napa, CA 94558 | 707.256.2700

Must be 21 years or older to enter this site.

©2024, Folio Fine Wine Partners. All Rights Reserved.

By visiting this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy