2017 Bodegas Caro 'Amancaya' Reserva Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza

CARO was born of the alliance between two wine cultures (French and Argentine), two noble grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec), and two renowned wine families, Lafite-Rothschild and Nicolás Catena from Catena Zapata. Both vignerons since the 19th century, these two powerful organizations have combined their deep knowledge of Mendoza’s high altitude terroir and the art of winemaking to create a unique portfolio of wines: CARO, Amancaya, and Aruma. Two noble grapes, two families, and an elegant portfolio of wines.

In Mendoza, the Catena family leverages their deep understanding of the region’s high-altitude terroirs and their fervent passion for Malbec. Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite brings centuries-old expertise in cultivating, vinifying, and aging exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside their mastery in blending.

CARO grapes come from selected sections of rows within our blocks, where the soil is layered with calcareous deposits as well as limestone, remnants of a river that used to flow through Altamira. Grapes are carefully selected and hand-harvested. After destemming, they are placed in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for alcoholic fermentation. Maceration lasts for a period of 20 days with a gentle pump-over to ease tannin extraction and fix the color.

Aging: In oak barrels (80% new)

83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec.
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

~94 Tim Atkin, Master of Wine.

At once ripe with plenty of cassis, blackberry and blueberry, but also delicate herbal notes, this has a rather complex and delicate nose. Quite a sleek, elegant wine for Mendoza with fine tannins and nice freshness, carrying the long, focused finish. A blend of 83 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 17 per cent malbec. Drink or hold. ~93 James Suckling

Amancaya (Petit Caro for the Argentine market) is the house's second wine, a blend where Malbec (72% this year) plus Cabernet Sauvignon rules. The fruit comes mainly from Paraje Altamira, plus some from Alto Agrelo. The wine is aged in barrels (half the volume, the other in steel) to show an excellent relationship between the friendly fruit and the approachable personality of the Malbec, with the firm tannins of the Cabernet Sauvignon and its herbal side that there, in the heights of Altamira, it seems clearer. The fruit is delicious, with spicy touches and a very polished and fine texture.~ 93 Descorchados