2013 Bodega Piedra Negra Gran Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon Valle de Uco 750 ml

Argentina’s Answer to Napa Cabernet

Profoundly concentrated and terrifically structured, this 2013 Bodega Piedra Negra release is Argentina’s answer to Napa’s richest Cabernets—and an incredible value to boot.

James Suckling was over the moon for this bottle, laying on 95 points and calling it “a dense and textured cab with chewy and rich tannins” that is “very long and gorgeous.” Infused with crushed blackberry and cassis aromas, fine acidity gives lift to the opulent, full-bodied red, packed with cherry flavors. If you know of another 95-point Cabernet with this kind of polished black fruit purity selling for just $20 let us know!

Argentina’s Uco Valley is now esteemed as world-class winegrowing region by the top critics. Tim Atkin has declared it "the most talked about wine region in Argentina, if not in all South America.” The valley captivated the attention of renowned Bordeaux enologist François Lurton, who has excelled at producing acclaimed reds from warmer wine-growing regions like Spain and Chile. His search for the ideal Argentine plot ended in the foothills of the Andes, where he founded Bodega Piedra Negra. Though the soaring altitude (around 3,600 feet) was much higher than that of his homeland, the semi-desert conditions and terroir reminded Lurton of the poor, gravelly, alluvial soil of Pessac-Léognan, home of mineral-infused beauties like Château Haut-Brion.

A pioneer in the region, Lurton’s gambit in the inhospitable heights of Los Chacayes paid off: soon Bodega Piedra Negra was producing robust, richly textured Cabernets that were pulling down high scores and earning comparisons to Napa. His dedication to sustainability and vineyard management in a high-altitude desert climate resulted in wines of distinct freshness and rich concentration.

Jancis Robinson MW put it clearly: “I would like to put in a special plea for Argentina's luscious but well-structured and often rather deliciously mineral Cabernet Sauvignon.” Here’s your shot. This is a stunning South American Cabernet marrying high-altitude purity with sun-drenched power. On a beautiful crescendo after five years in the cellar, this is a contender for value red of the year.