Crios Malbec

Uco Valley, Mendoza

Susana Balbo founded Crios as a tribute to her children, Jose and Ana. Together, they craft wines to be enjoyed across generations and to represent values they strive to instill in their own families. Crios Malbec stands for the courage and hard work that were needed to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges and elevate a forgotten varietal to world-class status.

Tasting Notes

A fresh, pure expression of the variety that displays aromas of violets, cherries and spices. A fruity wine with balanced acidity on the palate, notes of ripe red fruits and a subtle hint of oak.

Grilled red meats, pasta with red sauce, hard cheeses, empanadas, chocolate desserts or dulce de leche.

Fermented at a maximum temperature of 28-31°C (82-88°F) with selected yeasts. Maceration lasted 15 to 20 days. Open and closed pump-overs, with delestage in several stages of fermentation. AGING: 40% in third- and fourth-use French oak barrels for 8 months.

Grapes grown in the Uco Valley, at an average elevation of 1,050 m (3,445 ft)

Varietal: 100% Malbec
Alcohol: 14.5%
Acidity: 5.25 g/L

Susana Balbo founded Crios as a tribute to her children, Jose and Ana. Together, they craft wines to be enjoyed across generations and to represent values they strive to instill in their own families. Crios Malbec stands for the courage and hard work that were needed to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges and elevate a forgotten varietal to world-class status.

Tasting Notes

A fresh, pure expression of the varietal, with aromas of violets, cherries, mocha and spice. Juicy tannins and balanced acidity complement perfectly ripe red fruit flavors, while a subtle hint of oak adds complexity.

Grilled red meats, pasta with red sauce, hard cheeses, empanadas, chocolate desserts or dulce de leche.

Fermented at a maximum temperature of 28-31°C (82-88°F) with selected yeasts. Maceration lasted 15 to 20 days. Open and closed pump-overs, with delestage in several stages of fermentation. AGING: 40% in third- and fourth-use French oak barrels for 8 months.

Grapes grown in the Uco Valley, at an average elevation of 1,050 m (3,445 ft)

100% Malbec. Alcohol 14%; acidity 5.4 g/L.

Susana Balbo founded Crios as a tribute to her children, Jose and Ana. Together, they craft wines to be enjoyed across generations and to represent values they strive to instill in their own families. Crios Malbec stands for the courage and hard work that were needed to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges and elevate a forgotten varietal to world-class status.

Tasting Notes

A fresh, pure expression of the varietal, with aromas of violets, cherries, mocha and spice. Juicy tannins and balanced acidity complement perfectly ripe red fruit flavors, while a subtle hint of oak adds complexity.

Tuna steak, lamb, hamburgers.

Fermentation at 28°C (82°F) maximum. Maceration lasted 25 days. Open and closed pump-overs, with delestage in several stages of fermentation. Aging: 40% of the wine for 8 months in third- and fourth-use French oak barrels.

Grapes grown in the Uco Valley, at an average elevation of 1,050 m (3,445 ft)

100% Malbec. Alcohol 14.5%; acidity 5.6 g/L.

Susana Balbo founded Crios as a tribute to her children, Jose and Ana. Together, they craft wines to be enjoyed across generations and to represent values they strive to instill in their own families. Crios Malbec stands for the courage and hard work that were needed to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges and elevate a forgotten varietal to world-class status.

Tasting Notes

A fresh, pure expression of the varietal, with aromas of violets, cherries, mocha and spice. Juicy tannins and balanced acidity complement perfectly ripe red fruit flavors, while a subtle hint of oak adds complexity.

Tuna steak, lamb, hamburgers.

Fermentation at 28°C (82°F) maximum. Maceration lasted 25 days. Open and closed pump-overs, with delestage in several stages of fermentation. Aging: 40% of the wine for 8 months in third- and fourth-use French oak barrels.

Grapes grown in the Uco Valley, at an average elevation of 1,100 m (3,600 ft)

100% Malbec. Alcohol 13.8%; acidity 5.4 g/L.

Susana Balbo founded Crios as a tribute to her children, Jose and Ana. Together, they craft wines to be enjoyed across generations and to represent values they strive to instill in their own families. Crios Malbec stands for the courage and hard work that were needed to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges and elevate a forgotten varietal to world-class status.

Tasting Notes

A fresh, pure expression of the varietal, with aromas of violets, cherries, mocha and spice. Juicy tannins and balanced acidity complement perfectly ripe red fruit flavors, while a subtle hint of oak adds complexity.

Tuna steak, lamb, hamburgers.

Max. temp. 28º-30ºC. 25 days maceration. Aged for 9 months in 100% French oak.

Grapes grown in the Uco Valley, at an average elevation of 1,140 m.

100% Malbec. Alcohol 13.9%; acidity 5 g/L.

  • 20240401

    90

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, April 2024

    "Subtle aromas of cinnamon, black and red fruit form an attractive bouquet. This is a smooth wine, with a desirable tannin structure. Mulberry and blackberry flavors are enhanced by a touch of oak spices and extend into an enjoyable finish. A classic Malbec at an affordable price that will pair perfectly with grilled meats."

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  • 20230226

    92

    points

    James Suckling, February 2023

    "A fresh and spicy malbec with plenty of currants, red cherries and a hint of black olives. Linear and juicy on the palate with a medium body and a flavorful, fruity finish. Sleek tannins thread through it all. Drink now."

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  • 2022-06-09

    90

    points

    Tim Atkin, June 2022

    "The kind of Malbec that deserves to sell by the containerload, this is a wine that overdelivers at the price. Serious and focused, it resists the temptation to use residual sugar, relying on texture, intensity and plum and blackberry fruit concentration. 2023-28"

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  • 2022-03-31

    91

    points

    James Suckling, March 2022

    "Spicy blackberries and blueberries with some bramble fruit, graphite and blue flowers. A medium-bodied and fleshy red, showing juicy fruit, smooth tannins and immediate drinkability. Vegan. Drink now."

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  • 2022-01-01

    Platinum

    medal

    TEXSOM Awards, January 2022

    ""

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  • 2021-04-08

    92

    points

    James Suckling, April 2021

    "Brightness and energy to this, with sliced cherry, tar, berry and some asphalt. Medium body with light tannins and a fruity finish. Delicious. Drink now."

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  • 2021-04-01

    90

    points

    Tim Atkin, April 2021

    ""

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  • 2021-03-31

    90

    points

    Wine Advocate, March 2021

    "The juicy 2020 Crios Malbec was produced with grapes from different locations in the Valle de Uco in Mendoza that, in a warm and dry year, shows ripe aromas and a soft texture with integrated acidity and a tender mouthfeel. Forty percent of the wine matured in barrel for eight months, and that gave it an extra degree of complexity. 600,000 bottles produced."

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  • 2021-04-01

    89

    Points

    Tim Atkin, April 2021

    ""

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  • 2021-01-14

    92

    Points

    Blue Lifestyle, January 2021

    "Inky cherry color, smooth ripe nose,velvety texture, rich, juicy style, deep. intense and long, lush and racy with depth and finesse."

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  • 2020-04-02

    92

    Points

    James Suckling, April 2020

    "The purity of fruit in this makes it very attractive with depth and freshness, as well as fineness to the tannins. Some stone and crushed-plum character. Bright finish. Hints of citrus. Drink now."

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  • 2019-10-31

    91

    Points

    Wine Advocate, October 2019

    "The spectacular 2018 Críos Malbec is aromatic, floral and expressive, varietal and clean, with structure and fine tannins, with nice balance. It's velvety and juicy, with very focused flavors and a long finish. It's among the best Críos I remember. Great value too. 350,000 bottles produced."

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  • 2019-09-01

    88

    Points

    Vinous, September 2019

    "_x000D_ Bright red-ruby. Varietally expressive aromas of blackberry, licorice and violet, plus a positive whiff of leather. Juicy and penetrating if a bit less nuanced in the early going than the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. But the wine's high notes of violet and flowers make it very easy to drink already. Finishes with very smooth tannins and a touch of acidity yet to be absorbed. Susana Balbo has updated the labels of this inexpensive entry-level line-up to convey to the market that the Crios bottlings are premium wines."

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  • 2019-03-27

    92

    Points

    James Suckling, March 2019

    "This shows the beautiful quality of the 2018 vintage with a solid core of fruit, bright acidity and a silky finish. All here. Drink now."

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

2022 Crios Malbec – 92 points, James Suckling – Sell Sheet

2022 Crios Malbec – 92 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

2021 Crios Malbec – 90 points, Tim Atkins – Shelftalker

2021 Crios Malbec – Platinum Medal, Texsom Awards 2023

2022 Crios Malbec – Tasting Notes

2021 Crios Malbec – 91 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

2021 Crios Malbec – Tasting Notes

2020 Crios Malbec – Tasting Note

Crios Malbec – Non-Vintage – Bottle – 2021 & After

2019 Crios Malbec – Tasting Note

2019 Crios Malbec – Label

2018 Crios Malbec New Package- James Suckling 92pts Sell Sheet

2018 Crios Malbec New Package- Tasting Note

2018 Crios Malbec New Package- James Suckling 92pts Shelftalker

2018 Crios Malbec New Package – Label

Crios Malbec – Bottle – 2020 & Before