ZUCCARDI | José Zuccardi | Malbec | 2020
malbec | cabernet sauvignon

© We will be evaluating wines in no particular order on no particular schedule. Just stay tuned and you will never miss our reviews. If the wine is tasted more than once, the rating table will be updated so as to reflect all the new impressions and observations. We hope you will enjoy it!

Zuccardi winery was established by Alberto Zuccardi in 1963, emerging from a vision to transform the arid Mendoza landscape into a hub of winemaking through innovative viticulture. The winery has since grown into a renowned name worldwide, recognized mostly for its commitment to sustainable practices, minimal intervention, and a deep understanding of the unique terroir that Mendoza has to offer. Today, the winery continues to evolve under the leadership of his grandson, Sebastián Zuccardi.
Today we are going to review a wine that requires no introduction, as this is a genuine, high-altitude malbec wine from Mendoza, Argentina – José Zuccardi Malbec 2020 by Zuccardi. Known for its plump, dark fruit flavors and smoky finish, malbec wines have been adored for centuries, especially by the royal houses of England and Russia. With elegant notes of blueberry, plum, tobacco and hints of violets, modern malbec offers a great alternative to its higher priced siblings: merlot, cabernet sauvignon or syrah. Although the malbec variety originated in the famous Cahors region of France, Argentina proved that there’s more to malbec than just value, as it can offer an unmatched complexity and elegance, if produced in an expressive new-world style, with a nuanced and juicy, fruit-forward character.

Although the label only mentions the malbec wine grape variety, technically this wine is a blend, made of 95% malbec and 5% cabernet sauvignon, where malbec forms the wine’s main body and structure, whereas cabernet sauvignon adds more structure and complexity. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the slopes of Gualtallary and Paraje Altamira vineyards, planted at high altitude (between 1100 and 1360 meters above sea level), around the towns of Tupungato and San Carlos in Valle de Uco in Mendoza.

In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the malbec grapes and those delicate, terroir-driven notes, the wine has been fermented in concrete tanks and aged for 24 months in a mixture of large oak casks and French foudres (500 and 2500 liters respectively), with additional bottle ageing time before it was deemed ready for the market release.

The unique geographical conditions of the Uco Valley contribute significantly to the distinctiveness of most of the malbec wines produced here. The arid climate coupled with the high-altitudes is ideal for viticulture, promoting the production of high-quality grapes. The vineyards  planted at high-altitudes benefit from abundant sunlight during the day and cool temperatures at night, thus creating a high diurnal range, which preserves natural acidity and develops aromatic complexity in the healthy grapes. The soil is predominantly alluvial, rich in sand and loam, with good drainage that supports deep root growth. Compared to the malbec wines from the lower regions, those from Uco Valley typically exhibit greater freshness, vibrancy, and complexity.

Located on the plain south of the source of the Tunuyán River, Paraje Altamira occupies the highest part of its alluvial fan and is one of the best sites in Uco Valley. This micro-region has a cool temperate climate, with great thermal amplitude, and is distinguished by its high-altitude, with vineyards planted between 1050 and 1150 meters above sea level, which lends an exceptional freshness to the malbec grapes. The soil composition includes conglomerates of stones and gravel with a calcareous upper layer, ensuring excellent drainage and a mineral-rich environment that enhances wine complexity. Gualtallary on the other hand, is situated at the foot of the Frontal Mountain Range, between 1200 and 1500 meters above sea level. This micro-region has a temperate and arid climate, which forms a true high-altitude desert. Its rugged terrain among the Jaboncillo Hills boasts very diverse soils composition, with abundant calcareous material, formed by distinct layers of sand, caliche and stones.

color: deep & opaque purple color
clarity: hazy indigo shades at the rim

In the glass, the wine reveals a deep and opaque purple color with hazy indigo shades at the rim, indicating intensity and richness.

intensity: pronounced & savory
fruit character: ripe

The nose is pronounced and savory-expressive, with a captivating ripe fruit character complemented by nuanced earthy hints. The foreground boasts notes of iron, old leather, and brown olive, alongside earthy tones of soil dust, granite, and pencil lead. The background is rich with notes of black fruits like blueberry, black plum, blackcurrant, and blackberry, interlaced with hints of spices such as peppercorn, nutmeg, and anise, and finished with oak nuances and hints of violets and tobacco.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: fine
finish: long | aftertaste: velvety-seedy

On the palate, the wine feels rich and savory, with a generous and vibrant ripe fruit character. It is dry, with bright acidity, and well integrated alcoholic warmth, complemented by fine-grained tannins, which leads to a velvety-seedy aftertaste. The wine has a velvety and elegant texture, embodying the power and finesse associated with high-altitude malbec wines.

maturity: developing | drink now or age for at least 3 or 4 more years
verdict: excellent | a reference wine | a wine that can reach into the realm of perfection

Overall, this is a standout malbec wine that offers amazing complexity and unmatched varietal typicity. It feels round, voluptuous, and well-structured, with a harmonious blend of vibrant fruits and rustic elegance. The wine is still developing, ready to be enjoyed today with promises of further evolution over the next 3 to 5 years. An outstanding malbec that reflects the essence of the place of its origin – the epitome of a high altitude malbec wine that is mixing power with finesse.

For an exquisite culinary adventure, pair this wine with an extra-rare steak, where the wine’s vibrant fruit and savory notes will beautifully complement the meat’s richness. Additionally, consider pairing it with grilled lamb chops or roasted vegetables seasoned with rosemary to echo and elevate the wine’s earthy and dusty elements. Enjoy!
ZUCCARDI | José Zuccardi | Malbec | 2020
variety: malbec | cabernet sauvignon
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza | Valle de Uco
rating: 96.9

Zuccardi winery has been a pioneer of argentine viticulture and continues to innovate with its minimal intervention approach to winemaking. The family’s dedication to the land and the respect for its unique terroir has allowed them to produce wines that reflect their unique place of origin and inherited heritage.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!