BenMarco Malbec

Los Chacayes, Uco Valley, Mendoza

Tasting Notes

Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir. Its sandy, rocky loam soil guarantees good permeability, limits the growth of the plant and ensures perfect ripening. BenMarco Malbec is a testimony of Valle de Uco, endowed with aromas of black berries, notes of violets, pronounced acidity, firm tannins and great length.

Grilled red meats, sausages, seasoned or roasted pork, hard cheeses and pasta with meat-based sauces.

Hand-selected grapes. Destemming and soft crushing. Daily push-downs. Extended maceration for 30 days. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts at no more than 28°C (82°F). Aged in second-use French oak barrels for 11 months.

Varietal: 100% Malbec
Alcohol 14.5%
Acidity 5.5 g/l

Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir at 1,110 meters (3,640 ft). Its sandy and rocky loam soil guarantees good permeability, limits the growth of the plant and ensures perfect ripening.

Tasting Notes

Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir. Its sandy and rocky loam soil guarantees good permeability, limits the growth of the plant and ensures perfect ripening. BenMarco Malbec is a testimony of Valle de Uco, endowed with aromas of black berries, notes of violets, pronounced acidity, firm tannins and great length.

Grilled red meats, sausages, seasoned or roasted pork, hard cheeses and pasta with meat-based sauces

Grapes hand-selected. Destemming and soft crushing. Push-downs on a daily basis. Extended maceration for 30 days. Fermentation at 28°C (82°F) maximum. Aged for 11 months in 100% second-use French oak.

100% Malbec. Alcohol 14.5%; acidity 5.5 g/l.

Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir at 1,110 meters (3,640 ft). Its sandy and rocky loam soil guarantees good permeability, limits the growth of the plant and ensures perfect ripening.

Tasting Notes

BenMarco Malbec is a testimony of Valle de Uco, endowed with aromas of black fruits, notes of violets, pronounced acidity, firm tannins and great length.

Grilled red meats, sausages, seasoned or roasted pork, hard cheeses and pasta with meat-based sauces

Grapes hand-selected. Destemming and soft crushing. Push-downs on a daily basis. Extended maceration for 30 days. Fermentation at 28°C (82°F) maximum. Aged for 11 months in 100% second-use French oak.

100% Malbec. Alcohol 14.6%; acidity 5.6 g/l.

Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir at 1,110 meters (3,640 ft). Its sandy and rocky loam soil guarantees good permeability, limits the growth of the plant and ensures perfect ripening.

Tasting Notes

BenMarco Malbec is a testament to Uco Valley, from which it hails, proffering aromas of fresh black fruit and floral notes of violets. The palate shows great balance, very fine tannins, and a thread of acidity going through its core, lifting it up and going its length.

Beef, sausages, spiced or grilled pork, medium-strong cheeses, and meat-based pasta sauces.

Selected yeast. Max. Temp. 28° C. 30 days of contact with the skins. Sur lees conservation with batonage. Complete malolactic fermentation. Aged for 11 months in 100% second-use French oak.

100% Malbec. Alcohol 13.9%; acidity 5.2 g/l.

Grapes are grown in Los Chacayes, Uco Valley, at an elevation of 1,110 m. Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir. Its sandy loam and rocky soils guarantee good permeability, limit the plant's growth, and assure perfect ripeness.

Tasting Notes

BenMarco Malbec is a testament to Uco Valley, from which it hails, proffering aromas of fresh black fruit and floral notes of violets. The palate shows great balance, very fine tannins, and a thread of acidity going through its core, lifting it up and going its length.

Beef, sausages, spiced or grilled pork, medium-strong cheeses, and meat-based pasta sauces.

Selected yeast. Max. Temp. 28° C. 30 days of contact with the skins. Sur lees conservation with batonage. Complete malolactic fermentation. Aged for 11 months in 100% second-use French oak.

100% Malbec. Alcohol 13.5%; acidity 5.5 g/l.

Grapes are grown in Los Chacayes, Uco Valley, at an elevation of 1,110 m. Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir. Its sandy loam and rocky soils guarantee good permeability, limit the plant's growth, and assure perfect ripeness.

  • 91

    points

    Tim Atkin, June 2022

    "Floral, alluring and high-toned, this deftly wooded Malbec comes from the large sub-region of Los Chacayes, but is less forbidding than some reds from the area. Fresh, focused and serious, with appealing minerality, bramble and black cherry fruit and a sprig or two of garrigue herbs. 2023-28"

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 93

    points

    James Suckling, March 2022

    "Nimble blackberries and sweet blueberries, minerals, graphite and black chocolate on the nose. This is a beautifully poised red with a linear, medium-bodied palate. Polished and driven. Delicious now. Drink or hold."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 92

    Points

    Tim Atkin, April 2021

    ""

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 92

    Points

    Wine Advocate, March 2021

    "The 2019 BenMarco Malbec was produced with fruit from Chacayes in the Valle de Uco, it is floral, spicy, aromatic, showy and expressive, with lots of aromatic herbs, black pepper and flowers. It has both good ripeness and freshness, with very fine tannins. It's ripe without excess and elegant. 240,000 bottles produced."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 93

    Points

    James Suckling, April 2021

    "A fine-tannined, polished red with a medium body, refined texture and lovely length. Goes on and on. Just hints of asphalt, tar and graphite at the end. Drink or hold."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 92+

    Points

    Wine Advocate, March 2021

    "The aromatic and showy 2018 BenMarco Malbec feels very harmonious and complete. It's varietal and has subtle spices and smoke, while the palate is more restrained and austere, with a fine texture and chalky tannins. Really very impressive. 250,000 bottles produced."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 93

    Points

    James Suckling, April 2020

    "This is a balanced red with blackberry and light tar character. Medium to full body, creamy tannins and a flavorful finish. Hints of dark chocolate and walnuts. Drink or hold."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 93

    Points

    James Suckling, April 2020

    "This is a balanced red with blackberry and light tar character. Medium to full body, creamy tannins and a flavorful finish. Hints of dark chocolate and walnuts. Drink or hold."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    Points

    Vinous, September 2019

    "Bright ruby-red. Lovely violet lift to the aromas of blackberry and cherry. Plush, rich and sweet, with its crushed black raspberry and black pepper flavors offering considerable immediate appeal. Less gripping than the Cabernet Sauvignon but smooth and refined, showing good depth of flavor. Finishes classically dry and pure, with a light dusting of tannins that are not quite as smooth as those of the Cabernet. I'd give this wine another 6 to 12 months in the bottle before pulling the cork. Incidentally, Edgardo del Pópolo is responsible for making the BenMarco wines, in the same Agrelo winery in which the Susana Balbo wines are made. (14% alcohol)"

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 93

    Points

    James Suckling, March 2019

    "The freshness and saltiness to this is fantastic. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and super silky with an extremely long and driven finish. Vertical and focused. Drink or hold."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 94

    Points

    Descorchados, October 2018

    ""

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    Points

    Wine Enthusiast, August 2019

    ""

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 94

    Points

    Descorchados, September 2017

    ""

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 89

    Points

    Vinous, August 2018

    "Susana Balbo ages this wine in second-use French oak to preserve primary fruit aromas): Inviting dark ruby-red. Lovely violet lift to the vibrant aromas of blackberry, chalky minerals and earth. At once juicy and creamy, in a more European style, showing more tension than weight to its dark berry flavors. Vibrant and nicely delineated thanks to its relatively low 3.55 pH and sound acidity."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 92

    Points

    James Suckling, April 2018

    "This still has the morello cherries you would expect, but there's certainly a layer of more subtle complexity in the form of bark, tar and creme de cassis. Full body, finely judged acidity, soft but structured tannins and a chewy finish. Drink now."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 92

    Points

    Wine Advocate, July 2018

    "Produced with grapes from one vineyard in Chacayes in the Valle de Uco, the 2016 BenMarco Malbec is floral, spicy, aromatic, showy and expressive, with great freshness and lots of aromatic herbs, black pepper and flowers. This has both good ripeness and freshness, with very fine tannins. It's a short (the shortest!) vintage with moderate alcohol but good concentration. 200,000 bottles produced. In the last few years, this has been sourced from Altamira."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

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

2019 BenMarco Malbec – Tasting Notes – New Label

2020 BenMarco Malbec – Tasting Notes

BenMarco Malbec – Non-Vintage – Label – New Design

BenMarco Malbec – Non-Vintage – Bottle – New Label

2019 BenMarco Malbec – Tasting Notes – Old Label

2018 BenMarco Malbec – Label

2019 BenMarco Malbec – Label – Old Design

2018 BenMarco Malbec – Tasting Notes

2017 BenMarco Malbec – 93pts JamesSuckling.com sell sheet

2017 BenMarco Malbec – 93pts JamesSuckling.com shelftalker

2017 BenMarco Malbec – Tasting Notes

BenMarco Malbec – Bottle – Old Label

2017 BenMarco Malbec – Label

2016 BenMarco Malbec-Tasting Notes

2018 BenMarco Wine Advocate reviews 7-18 Sales Sheet