Finca Las Moras Mora Negra 750ml

"The 2011 Mora Negra Malbec Bonarda is a blend of the two flagship red grapes from Argentina, 70% Malbec and the rest Bonarda aged for 15 months in oak barriques. The dominant aromas are those coming from the barrels: smoke, vanilla, dark chocolate and cigar ash. You have to really concentrate to pass that wall of aromas to get to the core of ripe blackberries that name the wine (mora negra means blackberry in Spanish). The palate is medium-bodied, with some tannins to be resolved and there are abundant flavors from the oak, finishing with very ripe fruit notes. Drink 2015-2018.

Finca Las Moras belongs to the Penaflor Group that also owns Trapiche and El Esteco. They produce 9.5 million bottles per year. The wines are powerful, well-oaked, and rendered slightly anonymous by the elevage. The vineyards are surrounded by mulberry trees (moras) and therefore give the name to the winery. San Juan is a region north of Mendoza, where the grapes are cultivated in different valleys belonging to the San Juan River, the source of irrigation for the region. A focus on Shiraz and Malbec, together with Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc, is the new frontier for the production of fine wines in Argentina. The San Juan River is a vital source of water in this region providing pure melting snow water from the Andes to the Atlantic to give rise to the Zonda and the Tulum Valley unlike the Pedernal Valley (considered today as the valley par excellence for growing the highest-quality grapes), which was created by glacier movements. Bright sunshine and extremely dry weather make the valleys optimum for organically grown grapes. Finca Las Moras, with more than 1,100 hectares of vineyards planted throughout the different valleys, is focused on sustainability, continuing innovation and exploration of micro-regions." 

 -- Wine Advocate #212