2009 Durigutti Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza

SKU #1090645 90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright dark red. Sweeter on the nose than the 2010, offering scents and flavors of currant, plum, mocha and earth. At once saline and sweet, and a bit more concentrated than the 2010. The fat middle palate is nicely framed by harmonious acidity. Finishes broad, spicy and long, with a fine dusting of tannins that spread out to coat the palate. Lovely balance here. (3/ 2012)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The new releases from Durigutti are all fine values made from fruit purchased in Uco and Agrelo. They are bottled without fining or filtration. (12/ 2011)

Wine Enthusiast

Shows good berry and black cherry on the nose, with earth, marmalade and a jammy-baked quality. Good and solid overall, but with pointed acidity that causes the berry and plum flavors to come across sizzling and high-toned. Tastes like real Cabernet, while the acidity makes it edgy. (3/ 2012)

K&L Notes

One of the tougher, more conservative scorers of wines around, Josh Raynolds of The International Wine Cellar (as an aside, many folks I know in the business say that Josh has one of the best palates around) recently had this to say about Cabernet from Argentina: "During my tastings this winter, I was struck by the improving quality of cabernets from Mendoza, most of which are moderately priced. Clearly, cabernet sauvignon has been overshadowed by malbec in Mendoza-and certainly in the U.S. market. But this variety can be especially successful in many Uco Valley sites: 'like Pomerol or Saint-Emilion wines on steroids,' is the way one importer described the variety there. Mendoza's best cabernets are closer in character to traditional Bordeaux than are most Napa Valley versions, even if they're rarely as flashy or rich-or costly-as their California counterparts." As usual, Raynolds is right on it. We are trying to expand our selection of Argentine cab, given that the best versions offer incredible value for much less than most of their Napa counterparts (Joe Manekin, K&L)