I tasted two consecutive vintages of the single-vineyard Malbec from Alto Agrelo, the first of which was the 2014 Malbec Serenade, from a challenging, cool and wet year, the second of a series of rainy vintages. The vines were planted in 1935 at 1,050 meters altitude with a massal selection. The range has the same vinification and élevage to show the differences in terroir, fermentation in concrete and aging in French oak barrels (66% of them new) for 12 months. I see a huge vintage effect here, this is earthy and the fruit feels a bit cooked, and there are some hints of leather. The wine comes through as a bit heavy, ripe. There was close to 15% alcohol but a high 7.31 grams of acidity. I'd have difficulties drinking more than a glass of this, and I much preferred the 2015. And some people say there is no vintage effect in Argentina... 4,206 bottles were filled in March 2016.

Fleshy, offering ripe, dense flavors of dark currant, roasted plum and cherry tart, backed by firm acidity and tannins. Slate notes show on the lithe, well-structured finish. Drink now through 2024. 350 cases made, 100 cases imported.??–KM??Region: Argentina / Mendoza / Agrelo Select to Add