2010 Bodega Viamonte Montevia Malbec Gran Reserva 750 ml

Perfectly Aged Gran Reserva Malbec

From gnarled 90-year-old vines in Mendoza’s Luján de Cuyo comes the mouthwatering 2010 Bodega Viamonte Montevia Malbec Gran Reserva — aged perfectly to drink right now. Deep, dark, and richly concentrated, this release pulled down 90 points from Wine Spectator, who described it as follows: “Suave, with flavors of cedar, dried cherry and red currant that are fresh and zesty. Lively acidity keeps this balanced. The rich finish is filled with hints of spice and cream.” At $27.99 a bottle, this inky purple prize from the foot of the snow-capped Andes belongs at the top of Argentina’s value lineup.

Luján de Cuyo, where Bodega Viamonte is located, is one of the most sought-after growing regions in the entirety of Mendoza, rivaled only by the higher-altitude Valle de Uco. This exquisite old-vine Gran Reserva Malbec hails from vines planted in 1928 in the rich clay-loam soils of the “Finca La Augusta” vineyard, located almost 3,000 feet above sea level. If you’re a fan of powerful, intense reds for under $30, it doesn’t get much sweeter than Viamonte’s 2010 Gran Reserva Malbec.

Bodega Viamonte’s legacy dates back to 1973, when Carlos Arturo Celasso planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in Maipo. In 2007, Arturo Celasso and his wife Monica acquired plots in Vistalba, an area generously blessed with ancient vines thanks to its proximity to Mendoza, whose early settlers discovered the soil’s vinicultural potential. Today, Arturo and Monica’s children — Nicolás, Andrea, and Martín — run the business, putting exceptional work into their Malbec, hand-harvesting grapes, and employing 225-liter French oak barriques.

As critics and connoisseurs around the world have discovered, Malbec is a variety perfectly suited to Mendoza’s arid climate. Black and burly, similar to its Bordeaux counterpart Cabernet Sauvignon, it is reliably dark, inky, and structured, while also hinting at Syrah’s meatiness. At this elevation, the vineyards receive intense sunlight during daytime hours, aiding ripening. During nights, cold, alpine winds rush down the western face of the Andes, a diurnal flux that creates crisp, complex flavors in the grapes. Thanks to the long, drawn-out growing season of 2010, the Celassos harvested small berries of incredible concentration and precisely balanced acids and tannins. Just hitting its stride now, this Malbec is a can’t-miss for lovers of full-bodied, hedonistic reds.

Jonathan Cristaldi

Editor-in-Chief, Wine Access

Contributing Writer, Food & Wine