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 sandy-loam layers and deep deposits of calcium carbonate (caliche) that define the wine's calcareous texture.

Vinification and Aging: Selective manual harvest 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 varietals, providing roundness without masking the vineyard's identity.

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

Alcohol Content: 14.2% Vol.

Capacity: 750 ml bottle.

SKU: ARG-ESTELAS-BLENDED-750

Appearance: Displays an elegant, bright, and deep ruby red color with intense violet hues and garnet flashes on the edges. It has excellent density and a sumptuous tear with harmonious flow.

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

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 chalky texture from El Cepillo. Its acidity is vibrant, leading to 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-rare (Rib Eye, New York, Flank steak or Skirt steak) over an open fire. It pairs excellently with game birds like duck magret with a berry reduction, baked quail, or tender lamb loin in a fine herb crust. It majestically pairs with rich dishes such as porcini mushroom risotto, braised meat lasagnas, or stuffed pasta with rich tomato and spice-based sauces. It stands out spectacularly alongside mature and semi-cured cheese boards (aged Gouda, Parmesan, Gruyère, or Manchego) and high-quality artisan charcuterie. In contemporary Mexican cuisine, it perfectly complements grilled picanha tacos, duck carnitas, or a subtle Oaxacan coloradito mole.

Suggested Moments:

• Gourmet Collection Barbecue: Elevate a weekend barbecue with demanding friends or partners. The vibrant calcareous acidity and firm tannins meticulously cleanse the palate from the fat of premium cuts, enhancing the smoky notes from the grill.
• 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 campfire, serving as a superb contemplative red.

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

While Malbec gives the wine its opulence, 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 herbaceous profile that lengthens the wine's finish and elevates its elegance.

Why does El Cepillo's microclimate have such an influence on this signature blend?

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 great phenolic concentration and a complex combination of two varietals, it is strongly recommended to decant it slowly for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes before consumption. This allows the wine to open up with oxygen, dissipate subtle reduction notes, and fully display its layers of fruit, spices, violets, and graphite.

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 red wines from lower areas). Thanks to its superb tannic structure and acidity, it has an aging and noble evolution potential in the bottle of 8 to 12 years, stored horizontally.