Santa Julia Reserva Mountain Blend Malbec-Cabernet Franc | 2018 | 750 ml.

VN89 Vinous Sep 2019

"Bright full ruby. Deep aromas of black fruits and violet, complicated by a honeyed note. A step up in texture and palate presence from the Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, offering lovely breadth and density along with a restrained sweetness to its flavors of slightly roasted fruits and black olive. Finishes with very good length and fine-grained tannins that ultimately turn a bit dry. This is a 70/30 blend of Malbec and Cabernet Franc: Zuccardi explained that “Malbec can lack a bit of structure so we like to add another variety with more tannins, and to co-ferment.” While he vinifies at Zuccardi with a percentage of whole bunches, he destems the fruit at Santa Julia." (89 pts.)

RP91 Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate 31st Oct 2019

"The 2018 Reserva Mountain Blend, sold in parts of the world as “Reserva Malbec - Cabernet Franc,” is a 70/30 blend of the two varieties and some 30% of the volume matured in oak (mostly the Cabernet Franc). The wine is herbal and floral, and the palate is clean and vibrant, juicy, with round and lush tannins. It’s a blend that seems to be working very well — both in its integration and on the sales side. They produce a whopping 400,000 bottles of this." (91 pts.)

WS88 Wine & Spirits October 1, 2019

"Mostly malbec, with 30 percent cabernet sauvignon, this is a high-octane red, its sweet, chocolatey plum flavor balanced by alcohol’s peppery spice." (88 pts.)