About the Wine

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.

Tasting Notes: 74% Malbec, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has a dark, intense color, with hints of violet. The nose reveals a complex mix of aromas including raspberry, black pepper, violets, cloves, and subtle notes of dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is well-balanced with refreshing acidity and ripe tannins that contribute to the harmony and smoothness of the palate.

Reviews

Aromas of spices, smoke, berries and bark follow through to a medium body, medium round tannins and a wonderful finish. Love the finish of this, which gives a hint of walnuts, dark tea and ripe fruit. Very sophisticated. A blend of malbec and cabernet sauvignon. ~95 James Suckling

In their quest for elegant wines, the 2014 Caro was aged in "only" 60% new French oak, down from 100% in the "good old times," and they have seen that this percentage is the one that works for what they are looking for. In 2014 I saw cleaner, more focused aromas, and the animal notes of the past are absent. The blend this year was two thirds Malbec from Las Compuertas and one third Cabernet Sauvignon from Altamira. This is quite classical, with aromas of lead pencil and cigar box, a core of blackberries and a very polished, elegant palate with ultra-fine tannins. It's an approachable, elegant and easy to drink red blend. It seems like the Caro team is finding their way. ~93 Wine Advocate

Bright ruby-red. Musky aromas of blackberry, cassis, tobacco leaf, licorice, mocha and graphite minerality, with complementary, high-quality oak. Wonderfully suave, sweet, pliant wine with huge early sex appeal and terrific depth and refinement to its dark berry and spice flavors. The tannins are present but smooth and harmonious and the wine finishes with terrific breadth, classic dryness and superb smoky persistence. Is this even denser than the '15? Today, it displays more energy and definition, perhaps owing to the cooler 2014 vintage. After 48 hours in the recorked bottle, this wine hadn't lost a step. ~ 93 Vinous Media