Mendoza, Argentina — Malbec by Belasco De Baquedano Winery

91 points - “Sexy, rich, supple and fine.”
Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, January 2011

93+ points - “Layered, loaded, complex”
Decanter, May 2010 and December 2010

4 Stars - Highly Recommended. Wine of the Year. "Vibrant red and black fruit with spice. Slightly chewy tannins but generous fruit to support. Long and satisfying finish."
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, December 10

Top 10 Argentine Malbecs from Mendoza
2.5 Stars — Balanced and complex with spicy, herbal touches.
New York Times, April 28, 2010

91 points. "Blackberry, ripe plum, mineral and coconut aromas blend well together, and the palate is warm, full-bodied and deep, with ripe berry, chocolate and warmth. Mocha, vanilla and coffee flavors all carry the toasty finish to a fine crescendo. Having not rated this wine before, we find this to be a fine debut."
Wine Enthusiast, May 2010

Critics Silver Medal
Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, 2009

Silver Medal
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2009

90 points. "Aromas of pain grille, scorched earth, black cherry and black currant. A medium-bodied, silky Malbec revealing both depth and elegance. It will evolve for 2-4 years and provide pleasure through 2020."
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, December 2007

"An inky dark delicious wine that lingers long after the wine has left your tongue. Perfect with a grilled steak, it screams Argentina."
A Matter of Taste radio, San Francisco, Nov. 17, 2008

90 points. "Sexy, suave, firmly built."
Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, January 2011

90 points. "Aromas of exotic spices, incense, plum, black cherry; good volume, balance, and length."
Wine Advocate, October 2010

91 points. "A deep, concentrated wine with a touch of raisin and latex on the nose. The palate is deep and pure, with cola, chocolate and pure berry flavors, and the finish has great persistence and warmth. Thick, ripe and balanced, with simple deliciousness and good texture."
Wine Enthusiast, May 2010

The Chronicle Recommends. "This complex wine is made entirely from fruit from the estate's 100-year old vines. Ripe berry perfume, spice and hints of moist earth, with plenty of barrel character and tannin."
San Francisco Chronicle, April 11, 2010

90 points. Medium ruby. Reticent aromas and flavors of dark berries, licorice, bitter chocolate and spicy oak. Juicy, supple and fruit-driven, with a pliant texture, a restrained sweetness and good depth to the middle palate. Finishes with good lingering fruit and sweet tannins. A very suave malbec bottling.
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar,
January 2010

Silver Medal
Mundus Vini Wine Competition, 2009

Silver Medal
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, 2009

Critics Gold Medal
Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, 2009

Silver Medal
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2009

Top Premium Malbec Selection. "A slight touch of oak and dark berries on the nose, the palate is still young and firm with well-balanced tannins, good length and overall balance, will benefit from some further aging."
Tasted Magazine, Argentine Wine Review, June 2009. Article by Andreas Larsson, World's Best Sommelier 2007

91 points. "High quality. The bouquet is dark, with accents of cola, mineral and burnt toast giving it a masculine edge. Round, plump and full in the mouth, with cherry, berry and cassis flavors. A total package of a wine with character, nuance and serious base-level fruit."
Wine Enthusiast, December 2008

90 points. "A bouquet of wood smoke, spice box, black cherry, and blackberry. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, structured, and savory. This well-balanced wine should evolve for at least two years and perform well from 2010 to 2018."
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, December 2008

Silver Bacchus
Bacchus International Wine Competition, Spain, 2008

Bronze Medal
Challenge International du Vin in Bordeaux, France, 2008

Bronze Medal
Citadelles du Vin in Bordeaux, France, 2007

88 points. "Bright ruby-red. Aromas of black cherry, blackberry, licorice and violet, plus whiffs of leather and bitter chocolate. Pliant, juicy and stylish, with moderate concentration and an attractive restrained sweetness. Finishes classically dry and persistent, with rather suave tannins."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, December 2007

87 points. "Cedar, pencil lead, black cherry and plum. Medium-bodied and firm on the palate, it offers ripe flavors and good balance. It will develop in the bottle for 2-3 years and drink well through 2015."
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, December 2007

90 points. "Purple color; spicy black fruit and floral aromas, supple, easygoing, with incipient complexity."
Wine Advocate, October 2010

88 points. Bright red-ruby. Redcurrant, plum and spicy oak on the nose. Tactile, plump and sweet, with a pliant texture to the red and darker berry flavors. Finishes with supple, sweet tannins, a suggestion of raisined fruit and good length.
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar,
January 2010

Gold Medal — 90 points
Selections Mondiales des Vins, Canada, 2009

88 points. The purple-colored 2006 Llama Malbec was aged for six months in French oak. It exhibits an appealing nose of cedar, tobacco, spice box, and black cherry. This leads to a medium-bodied wine with a smooth texture, plenty of spicy dark fruits, excellent depth and concentration, and a fruit-filled finish. This fine value will provide pleasure over the next four years.
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Dec. 2008

Two And A Half Stars. The llama is a symbol of Mendoza as much as the Malbec grape. This wine has lots of plum and blueberry with fennel and thyme plus roast meat and mushroom undertones. Dense cherry and savory, juicy fruit finish.
San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 2, 2009

Best Buy, 87 points.
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Dec. 2007

Recommended: 85 points.
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, January 2010

"Beautiful to look at and a delight to drink. Great Malbec character full of flavor... shows you how great Malbec can be."
A Matter of Taste radio, San Francisco,
November 17, 2008