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Fincas Don Martino
Winery
Fincas Don Martino is a creation of famed agronomist Mauricio Parodi and Buenos Aires Businessman Hugo Martino. The project began in 2002 when Parodi fell in love with the quality of fruit from “Viña Violeta”, a small 18.5 acre vineyard in Agrelo, a sub-district within the Luján de Cuyo appellation of Mendoza. The vines, planted in 1926, are ungrafted Malbec clones originally brought to Argentina from France. The vineyard’s high elevation (3,850 feet) allows the grapes to develop tremendous complexity via an extended growing season and large daily temperature fluctuations.
In addition to the two Malbec wines they produce out of the “Vina Violeta” site, the winery has recently begun producing small quantities of old vine Semillon from a heritage vineyard in Perdriel. As production is limited by the small size of these two vineyards, each of these wines have become “cult” items in their native Mendoza. All are produced organically and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Visit the winery at www.southernwinegroup.com
Wines
Martino Old-Vine Malbec Reserva 2008
Martino “Reserva” Malbec comes from the Eastern end of the Vina Violeta property. Grapes from this end produce a wine with a tad more structure and concentration. The wine also sees twice as much time in oak, adding a soft, seductive “vanillin” quality to the finished bottling. We recommend decanting one hour before serving, and love it with grilled lamb.
Vibrant violet reds and bluish highlights. Cassis, raspberry, plums, clove and a hint of vanilla create a wonderfully complex nose. On the palate it is full-bodied with more soft berry fruit and secondary bottle age flavors. Sweet, supple tannins.
Very nice and controlled, as a maturing high-end Malbec from a good vintage should be. It’s full of ripe and classy fruit, leather and hints of finely aged gouda cheese. The palate is chewy but not thick, with balancing acidity and tannins. The fruit quality is up there, and thus the flavors of blackberry and cassis mixed with coffee and cream work wonders.
Vibrant reds and bluish highlights typify this top level Argentine Malbec. Cassis, raspberry, plums, clove and a hint of vanilla create a wonderfully complex nose. In the mouth it is full bodied. Rich flavors continue to saturate the palate with soft, harmonious tannins. From 81 year old vines, this is an insider favorite.
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
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Martino Old-Vine Malbec Clasico 2009
If you ever wanted to know what “Agrelo” Malbec tastes like at its best, let this be your lesson. Rarely do we come across a wine that communicates “place” as this does. Brilliant color, wild aromatics, rich mid-palate, incredible texture, this has it all. Its thick, almost neon purple sediment is unlike anything we have ever seen!
Impenetrably dark. Aromas of plum, chocolate, baking spices, and hints of vanilla. On the palate it is rich and viscous, with more dark fruit flavors and round tannins
“A winning Malbec for under $20. The nose is pure and hits with a blast of licorice, tobacco, cola, blackberry and dry balsam wood. The palate is driving, with blackberry, black plum and pepper flavors. Potent but balanced on the way out. Drink now and over the next couple of years.”
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2011
Fincas Don Martino Malbec 2009 Shines in Wine Enthusiast!
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Martino Old-Vine Semillon Maipu 2010
Long ago a widely planted grape in Argentina, a number of old vine parcels of Semillon still exist. As an early ripener the grape is well suited to the region’s cooler climates. This bottling comes from single vineyard in Perdriel which is a warmer subdistrict better known for its Malbec. The warm climate here offers up a “flashier” example of the grape. Stainless steel fermentation and aging keep things focused.
Medium straw color. Lively nose with notes of lemon, pear, and golden fig. Bright on the palate, with plenty of citrus and some mineral flavors. Finishes with cleansing acidity.
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