91 points

2013 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, January 2022

“Bright ruby-red. Pure, vibrant aromas of blackberry, blueberry and mint. A smooth, densely packed midweight with noteworthy inner-mouth tension and lift to the flavors of dark berries and violet. There's something a bit Syrah-like about this very fresh, juicy, long Malbec. Has the strength of character to evolve slowly but this is already easy to appreciate.”

90 points

2013 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, January 2022

“The 2013 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec is from Altamira, from the same vineyard where the Torrontés is grown. The wine ferments in a combination of rolling barriques, egg-shaped cement vats, oak vat and open barrels before being blended and put in barrels where the wine matures for 11 months. Some of the barrels have a higher toast level and it gives the wine a little bit of dark chocolate aromas that are quite popular, but to me standardizes the nose a little bit. But there is a nice core of violets and cherries, perfectly ripe, keeping the freshness, while the spice notes of cinnamon and vanilla are quite sweet and complimented by hints of smoke and licorice. The palate is very tasty, with pungent, penetrating flavors, fine-grained tannins and supple flavors. 2013 feels like a very nice vintage. Hold it for one more year to finish integrating those oak aromas. 100,000 bottles produced.”

90 points

2013 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, January 2022

“An intense and vibrant style, with concentrated red raspberry and dark plum flavors, loaded with Asian spice notes. Delivers floral accents midpalate, with a powerful finish of dark chocolate. Drink now through 2020. 8,000 cases made.”

91+ points

2012 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, January 2022

“(from 35-year-old vines; blended with 8% cabernet sauvignon; aged in 80% new French oak): Bright ruby-red. Sexy aromas of blackberry, huckleberry, violet, mocha and nutty oak. Suaver and sweeter than the Signature cabernet, with juicy, fruit-driven black plum, blackberry and violet flavors framed by harmonious acidity. Boasts excellent precision and inner-mouth tension for a wine in this price range. Finishes with a firm tannic spine, sneaky length and a hint of minty lift. This is 14.5% alcohol but I never would have guessed.”

92 points

2013 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

James Suckling, James Suckling, January 2022

“A very refined red with fine tannins, dark chocolate and dark fruits. Full-bodied, tight and pretty. Lovely tannin and fruit tension in this wine.”

92 points

2012 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

Anthony Dias Blue, Tasting Panel, January 2022

“Smooth and juicy, lush and showing rich cassis, blackberry and spice; sweet vanilla oak, generous flavors and lovely balance.”

89 points

2012 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, January 2022

“The 2012 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec is from Altamira with a balancing 10% of Cabernet from Vista Flores aged in French oak barrels (90% new) for 14 months. The predominant aroma is licorice, with aromatic herbs, black cherries and hints of apricots and decayed violets, quite ripe but not overripe. The palate is medium-bodied with herbal and fennel flavors providing freshness, with ripe, round tannins and good length. A very good Malbec that is approachable but should also age well. Drink now-2018.”

88 points

2012 Susana Balbo Signature Malbec

Nathan Wesley, Wine Spectator, January 2022

“This ripe red shows a candied to its edge the dark cherry and plum sauce notes, leading to an aftertaste of licorice and mocha. Drink now. 8,000 cases imported.”

92 points

2013 Susana Balbo Brioso

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, January 2022

“(from estate vines on clay soil adjacent to the winery; aged in 100% new oak): Bright red-ruby. Black cherry, dark berry, tobacco and spice aromas are lifted by an alluring floral topnote. Sappy, concentrated and energetic, offering terrific inner-mouth aromatic lift to its smooth currant and tobacco flavors, with the sexy French oak element in harmony with the wine's fruit. This very smooth wine shows greater sweetness than the Signature Cabernet. Finishes firm and long, with high-quality tannins and terrific lingering fruit. This high-density vineyard features 8,000 vines per hectare; Susana Balbo noted that production is around one kilo of grapes per vine from just two or three bunches. The pH here is a moderate 3.55, and one can see this in the tension of the tannins.”

89 points

2013 Susana Balbo Brioso

Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator, January 2015

“A crunchy red, with well-defined flavors of red plum, currant and dried meat. Notes of anise on the muscularly tannic finish, with plenty of slate accents. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2018. 880 cases imported”