Mendel Wines - Argentina Malbec to Die For
Stunning Mendoza Malbec and Malbec-Cab Blend are Bargains
Aug 16, 2008
Tucked away on a quiet dirt road in one of Mendoza's premier winemaking districts is an old winery building that has come to life again under the name of Bodega Mendel, a recent winemaking venture from noted Argentine winemaker, Roberto de la Mota.
Critics Take Notice of Mendel
From its first release in 2004, Mendel began producing wines that have caught the attention of noted critics such as Wine Spectator's James Molesworth, who gave Mendel's first Malbec release a score of 90 points. This complex, elegant Malbec is $25 so it might not be an everyday sipper, but it only foreshadowed the blockbuster 2005 release.
Robert Parker Reviews 2005
In 2005 critic Robert Parker's Wine Advocate team completed its first comprehensive review of Argentine wines and found numerous examples of stellar winemaking and good values, among them Mendel. The 2005 Mendel Malbec received a score of 93 and the 2005 Mendel Unus, a Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon blend received 94 points. At $65, the Unus is an excellent example of what Argentina is capable of accomplishing and on par with Argentine wines twice its price. Comparatively speaking, this wine is a bargain and collectors should be snapping it up with glee.
Visiting Mendel
If you travel to Argentina and want to visit superstars like Achaval-Ferrer or Vina Cobos, it's fairly easy to get an appointment for a tour and if you are lucky, a taste of what makes these two wineries command some of the highest prices in South America. If you want to visit Mendel, you may have to work a little harder. This is a small operation with limited tourist facilities, but if Bacchus smiles upon you, an in-depth tour with assistant winemaker-enologist, Santiago Boaknin, will be followed by an opportunity to taste these luscious wines.
Roberto de la Mota Winemaking Pedigree
It will come as no surprise to those that enjoy Argentine wine to find that Mendel's success lies in the combination of its head winemaker and partner, Roberto de la Mota, and the 80-year old Lujan de Cuyo vines that go into his wines. At age 48, de la Mota has been making wine professionally since he was a teenager, first under the tutelage of his father, later with Bodega Weinert and then with Bodegas Chandon where he helped create the wildly successful Terrazas de los Andes brand. In 1999 he began developing Cheval des Andes, a joint venture between Terrazas and the famed Bordeaux house, Chateau Cheval-Blanc. His operation at Mendel got started in 2003.
How to Enjoy a Mendel Wine
Like many South American wines, a little decanting time will greatly improve the enjoyment of Mendel wines. While quite drinkable at release, both 2004 and 2005 wines are somewhat tight and will continue to age well for several years.
