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Susana Balbo 'Signature' Malbec 2019
Primary flavours

Black Cherry

Black Plums

Blueberry

Charcoal

Dried Florals

Graphite

Ink

Violet
Details
All hail the queen. Susy B has earned herself royal status not only in Argentina, but all over the world and this, this wine right here has her 'signature' all over it. Malbec marries with about 8% Cabernet Sauvignon to deliver black plums and dark cherries framed by graphite, ink and violets. This is silky and opulent. The Cab Sauv plays a key role in delivering some restraint, and structure to the finish what is loaded with acid, fruit and tannin that all come together as one. World class, people!
There are more Malbec producers in Argentina than you can shake a stick at, so in order to stand out from the crowd, you have to be good… and we mean really good. And Susana Balbo is that good. Or to put it more accurately, she's a force of nature! As the first woman to graduate as a winemaker in Argentina, she knows what it's like to have expectations piled against her. She trained as a nuclear physicist, but fell head-over-heels in love with wine, and started travelling the world to gain experience in all the key New World wine countries: the US, Australia and Chile, as well as in Spain and Italy. When she became a fully qualified winemaker in 1981, the industry was led by strong male figures who didn't agree it was her place to join their ranks. She defied the odds and has successfully forged a career that has taken her to 3 different continents and multiple award-winning wineries. In 1999 she launched her eponymous winery, and in the doing so has inspired hundreds of winemakers around Argentina. She has gathered something of a cult following over the past few years, thanks to her ability to consistently release Malbecs which not only redefine what this grape varietal can do, but which also fly the flag for small-batch production with internationalist ambitions.
There are more Malbec producers in Argentina than you can shake a stick at, so in order to stand out from the crowd, you have to be good… and we mean really good. And Susana Balbo is that good. Or to put it more accurately, she's a force of nature! As the first woman to graduate as a winemaker in Argentina, she knows what it's like to have expectations piled against her. She trained as a nuclear physicist, but fell head-over-heels in love with wine, and started travelling the world to gain experience in all the key New World wine countries: the US, Australia and Chile, as well as in Spain and Italy. When she became a fully qualified winemaker in 1981, the industry was led by strong male figures who didn't agree it was her place to join their ranks. She defied the odds and has successfully forged a career that has taken her to 3 different continents and multiple award-winning wineries. In 1999 she launched her eponymous winery, and in the doing so has inspired hundreds of winemakers around Argentina. She has gathered something of a cult following over the past few years, thanks to her ability to consistently release Malbecs which not only redefine what this grape varietal can do, but which also fly the flag for small-batch production with internationalist ambitions.
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Taste Profile
This wine’s tasting notes.
Sweetness
lowmediumhigh
Body
lightmediumfull
Fruitiness
nonesomelots
Tannins
lowmediumhigh
Acidity
lowmediumhigh
Oak
nonesomelots
Alcohol
low
(under 12%)medium
(12-14%)high
(14%+)
Taste Summary
This wine’s tasting notes are leaning towards full bodied, low sweetness, with medium acidity, very fruity, high tannins, high alcohol and lots of oak.
Specs
Region
Mendoza
country
Argentina
Grape type
Malbec Blend
Wine Maker
Susana Balbo
Alcohol
14.5%
Vintage
2019
Cellar period
5-10 years
Production method
Vegan
Pairing guide
This Malbec from Susana Balbo doesn’t shy away from making a bold impact on the taste buds, and it’s sure to impress with its ability to stand up to some seriously punchy flavours when it comes to food pairing. The obvious pairing for Malbec is steak - served with a deeply savoury peppercorn sauce or a spritely chimichurri - but realistically, any charred or barbecued red meat will do the job perfectly. Corn dishes, such as polenta, tend to be a great match, as do Creole recipes, stuffed mushrooms, smoky tofu or seitan dishes, and combinations of aubergine and strong cheese. Malbec also loves a bit of paprika, so be sure to look out for rustic Spanish and Eastern European pairings for this wine, too!
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Food

Grilled Meat

Roasted Vegetables
Tastes

Earthy

Fruity
Moods

Adventurous

Creative
Seasons

Cooler Months
Recipe Matches
Wine region

Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is Argentina's premier wine region which is located in the foothills of the Andes mountains. Mendoza is located 1000 km inland from Buenos Aires and is closer to Santiago, the capital of Chile. The region is famed for Malbec, which accounts for 20% of the variety planted in the country, yet also produces high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and the native grape variety, Torrontés.
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