Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Leading up to Malbec World Day celebrations on April 17th, tonight's wine review is this delicious Malbec from Paraje Altamira that first arrived at the VINTAGES late last year (with bottles still available), and a new shipment arriving later this month as part of the April 30th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Susana Balbo is Argentina's first female winemaker and after almost two decades dedicating her talent to national and international companies in the wine business working as a consultant, in 1999 she founded her namesake wine brand and the Dominio del Plata winery in the heart of Lujàn de Cuyo, Mendoza. Some of Susana's many accomplishments include being elected by her industry peers as the first President of Wines of Argentina, and also chairing the Buenos Aires W20 summit - a group within the G20 organization that promotes gender equity in the world's 20 leading economies. With a pioneering spirit and innovative winemaking, Susana continues to the push limits searching for uncharted territory in the wine world. In 2011 and 2012, Susana was joined by her son José and daughter Ana. Together, the Balbo family continues to focus on environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

This red wine is from Susana's Signature range of wines that captures her ultimate expression as a winemaker by creating bold wines with artistic finesse. The Signature range highlights Susana's breadth of winemaking expertise, while her approach is to seamlessly apply her human touch to enhance the grape's character and preserve all elements of terroir.

The Signature Malbec is actually a blend of 96% Malbec and 4% Merlot with the grapes coming from Susana's favourite vineyard - Finca La Delfina. This vineyard, which is also named after her mother, is located in the high altitude winegrowing region of Paraje Altamira at 1,250 metres (4,100 feet) above sea level, in the Uco Valley. The grapes were hand-harvested, fermented with selected yeasts, spent some time on lees with battonages. The wine was aged for 13 months in 70% second-use and 30% new French oak.

Across Argentina, the 2019 vintage is receiving rave reviews as a chilly spring with cool breezes kept frost and disease mostly at bay. Summer was hot and dry, particularly in Mendoza where temperatures regularly reached 40 degrees Celsius. Noticeably cooler temperatures at the tail-end of summer preserved acidity and aromatics. Harvest was mostly smooth and grape quality was excellent. The 2019 vintage is described as one for the history books, so let's see how this 2019 Malbec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2019 - Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#79798) (XD) - $20.95
Blend of 96% Malbec and 4% Merlot, the fresh, medium+ intensity nose is wood spiced with vanilla surrounding a core of red and black fruit, black cherry, plum, and violet with hints of dried herb and florals emerging with time in the glass. It's full-bodied and quite tangy on the dry palate with black cherry, plum, and violet flavours, turning savoury and woody on the back palate. It has fresh, juicy acids and elegant, smooth, and supple tannins with just a touch of grip. Savoury, earthy, and wood spiced on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines my Susana Balbo are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent -Profile Wine Group.