Pioneers in Argentinian Malbec, Bodegas Fabre, brought to life exceptional wines in some of the most extraordinary terroirs in Mendoza. Born from winemaker and owner Hervé Joyaux Fabre, who became the first winemaker to produce a premium single varietal Malbec in Argentina, Bodegas Fabre has since become a global presence with wines such as Viñalba and Alta Yari.
I joined Bodegas Fabre's husband and wife team, Hervé Joyaux Fabre and Diane Joyaux Fabre, alongside Buckingham Schenk's Marketing Director David Tromans to explore the origins, and current trends of Argentinian Malbec with four wines from Viñalba & Alta Yari.
Viñalba started making malbec in the 1990s when it bought a plot of 100-year-old vines. They have grown since, with some parcels up to 1600 masl. The also tried Patagonia, where they grow grapes but then they transport them to Mendoza to vinify. In Argentina latitude and altitude play against one another, so in the far south of Patagonia they grow grapes at lower altitude to compensate for the cooler climate.
Viñalba reserve malbec 2022, Uco valley
Tannins well structured, could benefit from some time in bottle, can't really feel the oak aging.
Score 88 rrp 12
Viñalba Patagonia reserve 2022
200 masl only because higher is too cold
Violet, licorice, Good balance and length
Score 88, Rrp 15
Viñalba Gran reservado 2019
Mendoza, Uco Valley
1 year in French oak
Very intense ripe red fruit, smooth tannins long the best of the flight, superb value.
Score 93, Rrp 19
Alta-Yari Gran Corte 2022
1560masl, extreme wine making
Blend with malbec 35% cab franc 60%and cab sauvignon 5%
Mineral spicy notes
Needs a couple of years to smoothen tannins corners
Score 90, Rrp 25
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