Sherbrooke Cellars

Ruca Malen

Winery

Located in the heart of the Luján de Cuyo region in Mendoza, Argentina, Ruca Malen encompasses 22 hectares right at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Drawing their water directly from the snow-capped mountains, Ruca Malen is where it all began for Sherbrooke Cellars. It was the owners of Ruca Malen who first came to us and asked Sherbrooke to begin importing wines as they were looking for as direct a link as possible to the consumer, and knew that this was not going to be found in larger, more traditional books. Their desire for immediate contact with the consumer combined with the quality-price-ratio of the wines and their commitment to the environment made their wines a no-brainer for Sherbrooke. With the introduction in 2006 of a new enologist, Pablo Cueno, who had spent ten years training at Terazzas, we have seen the quality of these wines skyrocket. This is no longer an estate to watch but one to taste and explore.

The story behind the label is an evocative one. Legend has it that Mapuche women used to walk with their eyes fixed on the ground for fear of encountering the piercing look of a god. One day, a most defiant maiden abandoned her fears and looked straight ahead, right into the gaze of a deity. A flash of lightening captivated her, and she fell madly in love. The god, moved by this young Mapuche woman, took her with him up north to the peak closest to the sky from where light originated, the Aconcagua Mountain. At its foot, the sun shone more brightly, the waters ran crystal clear, and its virgin lands boasted all the bounties of the earth. Sadly, the god had to leave her, yet he offered her a home, Ruca Malen, meaning “the young girl’s house,” as well as a promise in the form of an enchanted nectar that she could drink and thereby re-live all the joy found in his gaze.

Kinien, meaning “the unique one” in the Indian Mapuche language, is the name borne by Ruca Malen’s flagship wines. Offering bright fruit up front combined with excellent structure, supple tannins, and long-lasting finish, these wines offer the consumer a great opportunity to taste some of the best of what Argentina has to offer. On the other hand, Yauquen, pronounced “yao-kewn,” is another Mapuche word meaning “let’s drink together,” and designates Ruca Malen’s value-driven wines. Ruca Malen offers a range of wines from the everyday value to the sublime.

Visit the winery at www.bodegarucamalen.com

Wines

Yauquen 2007

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Malbec. (Pronounced: jao-kwen) Yauquen is a Mapuche word meaning “Lets drink together” This Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon blend is easy and pleasant to drink. BEST BUY Wine Enthusiast 06/08

Yauquen Chardonnay 2008

Chardonnay 2007

Malbec 2006

Musky blackberry aroma with some oaky high tones. Juicy, gripping blackberry, licorice and violet flavors are complicated by an exotic nuance that contributes to its inner-mouth aromatic character. Finishes sweet and persistent, with supple tannins … 89 International Wine Cellar 2/08

Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Nose of red fruits and coffee with spicy, wooden and toasted notes in the background. Full-bodied wine of long persistence and excellent structure with strong tannins.

Kinien Malbec

86% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot. Full nose of red fruits and spices like pepper and cinnamon. “Juicy, with a solid core of plum, currant and raspberry-all backed by sweet toast and spice notes. Has a slightly raisined finish, but there’s also plenty of good flesh …89 Wine Spectator 8/08, 90 Wine Enthusiast 6/08