Wednesday, September 16, 2026 red wine review is a lovely, high-altitude, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley that was featured as a Hand-Picked Gift in the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.
Like the lovely 2023 Tapiz Alta Collection San Pablo Vineyard Malbec I enjoyed a few months ago, this red wine is produced by Fincas Patagónicas, one of Argentina's most prominent wine producers. Fincas Patagónicas was established in 2003 by Patricia Ortiz with the goal of crafting exceptional wines from Argentina's most distinctive terroirs. The winemaking philosophy combines traditional methods with innovative techniques to create wines from high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza and along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia that truly express the unique terroir of each region.
Fincas Patagónicas has three winery projects in Argentina — Zolo, Tapiz, and Wapisa. Tapiz is located in the heart of the San Pablo Geographical Indication (GI), within the Tunuyán department of the Uco Valley, Mendoza. Situated at 4,600 feet above sea level, the estate is home to one of Mendoza's highest-elevation vineyards. At Tapiz, sustainable winemaking traditions are combined with modern innovation at its state-of-the-art winery, which was constructed in 2016 and is surrounded by estate vineyards. Under Patricia's guidance, Tapiz has been a pioneer in the region and played a role in the development of the San Pablo GI. The San Pablo GI benefits from extremes of altitude, temperature, and soil heterogeneity, allowing for the creation of full-bodied and concentrated wines that are also elegant and balanced.
Tapiz is committed to environmentally conscious practices and to producing wines that faithfully express their unique terroir. Today, the wines are crafted by the celebrated winemaking team of Fabián Valenzuela and famed Bordeaux winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet, who was the winemaker at Pétrus for 44 vintages. The name "Tapiz" is Spanish for tapestry, and the label and capsule depict the different components that come together to create wine, including high-altitude fruit, the land, the sun, and the workers. Thus, Tapiz represents a beautiful tapestry of terroir and innovation. Through her wineries, Patricia is also dedicated to giving back to the environment through sustainable practices while encouraging responsible practices among staff, suppliers, and customers.
This red wine is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the San Pablo Vineyard surrounding the winery. The estate vineyard is situated at 4,600 feet above sea level, and the 16-year-old vines were sustainably farmed. To vinify the wine, the grapes underwent a cold pre-maceration at 8˚C for 5 days to extract colour and aromas. The wine was then fermented in stainless steel tanks at approximately 28˚C for 14 days before resting on its lees for 16 days. It was subsequently aged in French oak barrels for 12 months, with 15% of the barrels being first-use and the remainder second- and third-use.
The 2023 vintage in Argentina was defined by multiple frosts, which greatly reduced yields in most parts of the country. However, higher-elevation sites with natural slopes fared better as the cold air moved to lower areas. Spring eventually turned warm and dry, leading to the hottest Argentine summer since 1961 and historic drought conditions. With lighter fruit loads, the grapes ripened more quickly than average, resulting in an earlier harvest. Despite the heat and drought, the low yields concentrated flavours, while the dry conditions kept disease at bay. From a vintage with high expectations for red wines from high-altitude vineyards, let's see how this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley is tasting tonight...
The medium-high intensity nose offers ripe black fruits, blackberry, black plum, and cedar oak aromas followed hints of black currant, cassis, and grilled herbs. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate has delicious, ripe black fruits, black currant, blackberry, black plum, and oak spice flavours, along with touches of graphite, and grilled herbs. It has clean, fresh acidity, alongside finely textured and firm tannins with good structure that will benefit from a few years in the cellar. It's well-balanced throughout with black currant, cassis, and cedar oak notes, plus hints of graphite lingering on the long, slightly youthful finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts
The aforementioned Malbec is available at the LCBO, along with another Malbec, while the full range of Fincas Patagónicas wines can be ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.
Like the lovely 2023 Tapiz Alta Collection San Pablo Vineyard Malbec I enjoyed a few months ago, this red wine is produced by Fincas Patagónicas, one of Argentina's most prominent wine producers. Fincas Patagónicas was established in 2003 by Patricia Ortiz with the goal of crafting exceptional wines from Argentina's most distinctive terroirs. The winemaking philosophy combines traditional methods with innovative techniques to create wines from high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza and along the Atlantic coast of Patagonia that truly express the unique terroir of each region.
Fincas Patagónicas has three winery projects in Argentina — Zolo, Tapiz, and Wapisa. Tapiz is located in the heart of the San Pablo Geographical Indication (GI), within the Tunuyán department of the Uco Valley, Mendoza. Situated at 4,600 feet above sea level, the estate is home to one of Mendoza's highest-elevation vineyards. At Tapiz, sustainable winemaking traditions are combined with modern innovation at its state-of-the-art winery, which was constructed in 2016 and is surrounded by estate vineyards. Under Patricia's guidance, Tapiz has been a pioneer in the region and played a role in the development of the San Pablo GI. The San Pablo GI benefits from extremes of altitude, temperature, and soil heterogeneity, allowing for the creation of full-bodied and concentrated wines that are also elegant and balanced.
Tapiz is committed to environmentally conscious practices and to producing wines that faithfully express their unique terroir. Today, the wines are crafted by the celebrated winemaking team of Fabián Valenzuela and famed Bordeaux winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet, who was the winemaker at Pétrus for 44 vintages. The name "Tapiz" is Spanish for tapestry, and the label and capsule depict the different components that come together to create wine, including high-altitude fruit, the land, the sun, and the workers. Thus, Tapiz represents a beautiful tapestry of terroir and innovation. Through her wineries, Patricia is also dedicated to giving back to the environment through sustainable practices while encouraging responsible practices among staff, suppliers, and customers.
This red wine is crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the San Pablo Vineyard surrounding the winery. The estate vineyard is situated at 4,600 feet above sea level, and the 16-year-old vines were sustainably farmed. To vinify the wine, the grapes underwent a cold pre-maceration at 8˚C for 5 days to extract colour and aromas. The wine was then fermented in stainless steel tanks at approximately 28˚C for 14 days before resting on its lees for 16 days. It was subsequently aged in French oak barrels for 12 months, with 15% of the barrels being first-use and the remainder second- and third-use.
The 2023 vintage in Argentina was defined by multiple frosts, which greatly reduced yields in most parts of the country. However, higher-elevation sites with natural slopes fared better as the cold air moved to lower areas. Spring eventually turned warm and dry, leading to the hottest Argentine summer since 1961 and historic drought conditions. With lighter fruit loads, the grapes ripened more quickly than average, resulting in an earlier harvest. Despite the heat and drought, the low yields concentrated flavours, while the dry conditions kept disease at bay. From a vintage with high expectations for red wines from high-altitude vineyards, let's see how this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION SAN PABLO VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#403345) (XD) - $20.95The medium-high intensity nose offers ripe black fruits, blackberry, black plum, and cedar oak aromas followed hints of black currant, cassis, and grilled herbs. On the dry, medium+ to medium-full bodied palate has delicious, ripe black fruits, black currant, blackberry, black plum, and oak spice flavours, along with touches of graphite, and grilled herbs. It has clean, fresh acidity, alongside finely textured and firm tannins with good structure that will benefit from a few years in the cellar. It's well-balanced throughout with black currant, cassis, and cedar oak notes, plus hints of graphite lingering on the long, slightly youthful finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts
The aforementioned Malbec is available at the LCBO, along with another Malbec, while the full range of Fincas Patagónicas wines can be ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.
Blogarama
