Bodega Benegas Estate Malbec
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Grapes are sourced from estate vineyards Finca La Encerrada (1450 meters above sea level; 4800 ft), Gualtallary, Uco Valley, Mendoza and a small percentage of Finca Libertad, Mendoza Upper River Bank (850 meters above sea level; 2800 ft), Cruz de Piedra, Maipu, Mendoza.
- Finca La Encerrada is is an area of great development with vineyards located at between 1,000 and 1,600 m.a.s.l. (3,300 to 5,250 ft), located in the District of Gualtallary, Department of Tupungato, one of Mendoza’s top two Malbec micro-regions.
- Thanks to its exceptional climate and soil conditions, very fresh wines of intense colors are produced, with abundant flowery and fruity tones, great body and elegance.
Varietal Composition: 100% Malbec
Elaboration: Pre-fermentation cold maceration. Fermentation in tank at 25°C (77°F). Post fermentative maceration for two weeks. Racking and natural malolactic fermentation. Aged for 8 to 10 months in French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: Brilliant and clean red ruby color with violet hues. Aroma of ripe fruit such as strawberries and plums appear at the entrances. After this floral notes emerge mainly violets typical of the high cold areas of Uco Valley. Wine of medium intensity with soft and round tannins that spread in the whole mouth. Easy to drink, velvety, unctuous with a long and lingering finish.
PRESS
2017 – 92 James Suckling
2018 – 90 Wine Advocate | 92 James Suckling
2019 – 92 James Suckling
2020 – 94 Decanter World Wine Awards | 91 James Suckling | 90 Wine Advocate
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.