Bodega Benegas Juan Malbec
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The grapes for Benegas Juan Malbec come from the Benegas Estate vineyards; Finca Libertad, on the high coast of the Mendoza River (850 meters above sea level), Cruz de Piedra, Maipu and Finca La Encerrada (1450 meters above sea level), Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Mendoza.
- This wine is named after Federico J. Benegas Lynch’s child, Juan.
- Characterized by the fresh, soft and elegant fruit with an excellent price/quality ratio.
- Estimated shelf life is 5 years. Suggested serving temperature is 15 to 17º C.
Elaboration: Pre-fermentative cold maceration. Fermentation at 25°C in pool. Post fermentation maceration for 2 weeks. Burst and natural malolactic fermentation. Aging: 6 months in French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: Intense cherry red color with violet reflections. Fresh red fruit, such as strawberries and plums on the nose. Spicy and floral notes typical of the high temperatures and cold areas of the Uco Valley emerge. A touch of vanilla and caramel from the brief moment in the barrel. Sweet and ripe tannins accompanied by fresh fruits on the mouth. Delicate ans soft volume, balanced acidity and medium persistence.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
In 2010, Bodega Benegas acquires Finca La Encerrada, located in Gualtallary, Tupungato in Uco Valley at 1400 meters above sea level. Finca La Encerrada is among of Mendoza’s 1% of highest vineyards.
It is in the authentic Appellation of Origin Gualtallary, the street name that went up to a Monastery. Today, the name was “expanded” to include other vineyards that are far away from the original Gualtallary. As the Appellation of Origin was broaden, Patricio Tapia (Descorchados, Wine & Spirits) speaks of the original area as “Gualtallary Monasterio”, considered Uco Valley’s “diamond”.
Finca La Encerrada has 40 hectares of planted vineyards under drip irrigation.
The water runs 170 meters deep in these poor, mostly calcareous soils, with rocky and sandy spots. The varieties are harvested by soil type and are vinified separately. The result is a luscious Malbec blend.