SKU: 10951

Luca Malbec 2018

we93
v91
ws90

750ml

$34.99

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Category	Red Wine
Varietal	Malbec
Region	Argentina, Uco Valley
Brand	Luca
Alcohol/vol	13.5%

Laura Catena, daughter of Argentine wine pioneer Nicolás Catena, is fulfilling her vision of creating a new breed of Argentine wines: small quantities, artisan quality, and true to their individual terroirs. She starts with some of Argentina’s best fruit from low-yield, high elevation vineyards. State-of-the-art winemaking and oak aging (primarily French) elevate the wines to a quality level demanded by true wine connoisseurs. The final varietal blends deliver power along with complexity and finesse. They are the ultimate expression of rigorous vineyard management, viticultural experimentation, strict irrigation controls, skilled winemaking, and a quest for quality at any cost.

Luca is named after Laura Catena’s son. The family crest (the McDermott family) that appears in the label’s background is that of Laura’s husband, Dan. Laura is continually inspired by the synthesis of cultures in her own family, and this international inspiration infuses the style and quality of her wines. Luca is made from Malbec vineyards located in the Uco Valley: Altamira, La Consulta and Gualtallary. The soils is these premium high-elevation vineyards are very poor with limestone in Altamira and La Consulta. All the vines are ungrafted and average 44 years in age. All work is done by hand including the harvest.

Wine Enthusiast

we93

A dark, dense color and bold berry aromas laced with tight-grained oak notes and related vanilla, spice and cinnamon accents are quite the draw. This full-flavored Malbec is medium in depth and driven by ripe fruit and wiry acidity. Blackberry, cassis and creamy, almost fatty oak flavors finish with medium length. Drink now through 2024.

Vinous

A Malbec made from a combination of grapes from the Uco Valley that spent 14 months aging in French barrels, 35% of them new. Remarkably purple in the glass. The delicate, fruity nose ranges from sour cherry to blackberry with hints of syrup and mint. A very interesting wine, it is sugary but presents a firm, fleshy palate, tacky tannins and a juicy flow with a pleasantly contained freshness. The finish is long and flavorful and followed by a teasing aftertaste.

October 2020

Wine Spectator

ws90

Lithe, with red cherry and dried raspberry flavors that feature hints of hot stone. Medium-grained tannins provide grip on the juicy, well-spiced finish. Drink now through 2024. 7,000 cases made, 7,000 cases imported.

November 15, 2020

Luca Malbec 2018

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Wine Enthusiast

Vinous

Wine Spectator