"Blueberry, plum and cardamom aromas include a whiff of wood smoke. A balanced palate has energy along with brambly berry and chocolate flavors. A chewy, solid finish is good but less lively than the palate. - Michael SCHACHNER"
- Wine Enthusiast (October 2017), 88 pts
- Wine Enthusiast (December 1st 2018), 88 pts
"The 2015 Malbec Icono (100% Malbec aged 12 months in French oak) is another terrific value from this label, offering classic Malbec blue fruits, notes of leafy herbs and earth, medium body, and a rounded, textured style on the palate that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with all the wines from this label, it’s well-made."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 89 pts
"The 2015 Rubus Icono Malbec is one of the varietal brands selected from various countries by US importer Kysela. This is a Malbec from ten-year-old vines in Altamira in the Valle de Uco that matured in 225-liter French barriques for one year. It has notes of dark fruit, good ripeness and generous spices from the oak. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with some grainy tannins, powerful but without excess. 12,000 bottles produced. - Luis Gutiérrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #237, June 2018), 90 pts
"Full ripeness on nose is reflected through malty aromas of cassis, raisin and prune, while this feels lush on the palate. Blackberry, raisin and oak-based café mocha flavors play out on a smooth finish with soft tannins. - MICHAEL SCHACHNER"
- Wine Enthusiast (December 2020), 90 pts
"Fran Kysela’s Argentinian branch of the Rubus project is made by Walter Bressia, working with 10-year-old vines in Paraje Altamira. A year in barriques imparted some richness in this wine, chocolate and coffee notes that segue into a plum-pit pucker and blueberry-skin tannins. Lasting and precise, there’s something charmingly midcentury about it. Pour it next to a steak salad with blue-cheese dressing."
- Wine & Spirits (October 2021), 92 pts
"This is a ripe and full-bodied red that offers plenty of fruit and oak spice flavors. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, the wine shows round tannins. A light note of herbs and moderate acidity adds freshness. - Jesica Vargas"
- Wine Enthusiast (May 2023), 90 pts
