Winery / Producer: Las Estelas (Author's precision project led by Estela Perinetti).

Specific Origin: El Cepillo district, San Carlos, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina.

Varietal Composition: Blend / Cuvee composed of cold-climate Malbec and Cabernet Franc grapes.

Terroir and Soils: Alluvial soils with the presence of sandy-loam layers and deep deposits of calcium carbonate (caliche) that define the wine's calcareous texture.

Vinification and Aging: Selective manual harvesting in 12 kg boxes. Co-fermentation or separate vinification in small stainless steel tanks with strict temperature control. Noble and integrated aging in selected French oak barrels to amalgamate the virtues of both grape varieties, providing roundness without masking the vineyard's identity.

Style: Full-bodied, complex red wine with excellent linear tension, spicy, floral, and finely mineral profile.

Alcohol Content: 14.2% Vol.

Capacity: 750 ml bottle.

SKU: ARG-ESTELAS-BLENDED-750

Appearance: Exhibits an elegant, bright, and deep ruby red color with intense purplish hues and garnet flashes at the edges. It has excellent density and a sumptuous, harmoniously flowing tear.

Nose: High aromatic intensity, extremely complex, and constantly evolving in the glass. Fresh black fruits (blackberries, currants, and cassis) contributed by the Malbec stand out in the foreground, masterfully fused with notes of roasted red pepper, black pepper, and fine herbal hints characteristic of Cabernet Franc. With aeration, floral notes of violets, subtle hints of cocoa, graphite, and an elegant calcareous mineral background emerge.

Palate: Fine, sumptuous, and vertically impactful entry. On the palate, it unfolds with superb balance; the juiciness of Malbec fills the mid-palate, while the firm tannic structure of Cabernet Franc sculpts an impeccable linear structure. The tannins are incredibly polished but with that fine calcareous chalky texture from El Cepillo. Its acidity is vibrant, providing a dry, long, aristocratic finish with remarkable spicy persistence.

High-End Gastronomic Pairing: Due to the extraordinary balance between the volume of Malbec and the spicy structure of Cabernet Franc, this blend possesses monumental gastronomic versatility. It is the ultimate ally for premium grilled red meat cuts cooked medium (Rib Eye, New York, Flank, or Skirt Steak) over open flame. It combines excellently with game birds such as duck magret with red fruit reduction, roasted quail, or tender lamb loin in a fine herb crust. It pairs majestically with rich dishes like porcini mushroom risotto, braised meat lasagna, or stuffed pasta with rich tomato and spice-based sauces. It stands out spectacularly alongside platters of aged and semi-aged cheeses (aged Gouda, Parmesan, Gruyère, or Manchego) and artisan charcuterie. In contemporary Mexican cuisine, it pairs perfectly with grilled picaña tacos, duck carnitas, or a subtle Oaxacan coloradito mole.

Suggested Moments:

• Gourmet Collection Barbecue: Elevates weekend barbecues with demanding friends or associates. The vibrant calcareous acidity and firmness of its tannins meticulously cleanse the palate of fat from premium cuts, enhancing the smoky notes from the coals.
• Festive Family Meal: A bottle that truly dresses up the center of the table for important celebrations; a wine with the amiability of Malbec to immediately please and the complexity of Cabernet Franc to spark conversation among diners.
• Summer Terrace Evenings and Meditation: Thanks to its linear freshness and balanced fluidity, it is a magnificent wine to enjoy slowly as night falls on a cool terrace or around a bonfire, functioning as a superb contemplative red.

What does Cabernet Franc contribute to the traditional Malbec profile in this wine?

While Malbec gives the wine its sumptuousness, ripe black fruit, and rounded textures in the mid-palate, Cabernet Franc acts as the architect of the blend. It provides a firm backbone, higher linear acidity, and a highly distinguished spicy and herbal profile that lengthens the wine's finish and elevates its elegance.

Why does El Cepillo's microclimate influence this author's blend so much?

The El Cepillo district, located in San Carlos (Uco Valley), is one of Mendoza's coldest and most intense sub-regions. Low temperatures force the grapes to ripen slowly and gradually. This preserves impeccable natural acidity, enhances the floral aromas of Malbec, and gives Cabernet Franc very fine spicy notes, complemented by the calcareous texture provided by its calcium carbonate-rich soils.

Is it recommended to decant this wine before serving?

Yes, as a high-end red wine with high phenolic concentration and a complex combination of two grape varieties, it is strongly recommended to decant it slowly for at least 30 to 45 minutes before consumption. This allows the wine to open with oxygen, dissipate subtle reductive notes, and display its layers of fruit, spices, violets, and graphite with complete clarity.

What is the ideal serving temperature and its aging potential in a cellar?

To optimally appreciate its balance, mineral vivacity, and complex spicy notes without the alcohol standing out, it should preferably be served between 15°C and 17°C (slightly cooler than commercial reds from lower areas). Thanks to its superb tannic structure and acidity, it has an aging potential and noble evolution in the bottle of between 8 and 12 years, stored horizontally.