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Chakana Estate Malbec
Chakana
Argentina - Mendoza    - Uco Valley   

Chakana is the name of the Southern Cross constellation. Its rotation in the sky throughout the year made it an effective agricultural calendar for the ancient Andean people.

Estate Malbec is from Chakana's Altamira (3,200 ft elevation) and Gualtallary (5,500 ft elevation) vineyards.

The color is deep purple, very intense, typical of Malbec. Plum, brambly berries, spices and an iris/violet note are apparent on the nose. Intense, fruity flavors with velvety tannins.

Specifications
Appellation
Uco Valley
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
100% Malbec
Age of vines
10 years
Agricultural Practices
Organic
Soil type
sandy loam with calcareous gravels
Vinification
Fermentation with indigenous yeasts. 70% aged in new & used French oak barrels, and 30% in concrete vats for 12 months. Unfiltered.
Pairings

Excellent with roasted meats, duck, salad, pasta, pizza.

Reviews and News

2021 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - TA

2021 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250



- Tim Atkin (2023 Argentina Special Report), 93 pts

2021 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - JS

2021 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"Spiced dark berries, licorice, crushed walnuts and hints of bark. Intense and layered with a medium to full body and sleek, supple tannins. Ripe and succulent. Drink or hold."

- James Suckling (February 2024), 91 pts

2020 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - VINOUS

2020 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"The 2020 Malbec Chakana Estate Selection (from Paraje Altamira & Gualtallary, Uco Valley) was a third aged in used barrels and a third in foudres. A mild purple hue. The nose presents gentle notes of fresh plum, violets and hints of thyme over a pleasant bed of oak. Indulgent with slightly reactive tannins, the flow is juicy and fairly compact. - Joaquin HIDALGO"
- Vinous (September 2022), 93 pts

2020 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - TA

2020 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Combining grapes from Paraje Altamira and Los Chacayes, this pure Malbec is a classically perfumed Uco Valley red, showing fine tannins, nuanced oak, red cherry and blackberry fruit and a chalky frisson. Engagingly graceful and refined. 2023-30"

- Tim Atkin (2022 Argentina Special Report), 93 pts

2020 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - GOLD - Sommeliers Choice Awards

2020 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - GOLD - Sommeliers Choice Awards

sommelier choice award gold 2023

"Aromatic, floral on nose. With intense, dark fruits, mint flavours on palate. The wine is smooth with elegant smooth tannins. Well balanced wine with medium finish."


- Sommeliers Choice Awards, 91 pts - GOLD

 

2019 Chakana Estate Malbec - 94 PTS - VINOUS #2

2019 Chakana Estate Malbec - 94 PTS - VINOUS #2

vinous logo"The 2019 Malbec Estate Selection is a combination of grapes from different GIs in the Uco Valley (55% Altamira, 25% Gualtallary and 20% Los Chacayes,) of which 70% is aged in used French barrels. A vivid violet in color. The nose offers precise and attractive notes of fresh, sour cherry and plum with expressive hints of lavender, violet and thyme. The ripeness of the grapes in each region was judged perfectly for the style. In the mouth, it is a compendium of flavors gently marshalled by fine, reactive tannins and a chalky texture that ensures good performance in the bottle. With juicy, well-integrated freshness and fruity flavor at the back of the mouth, this is a wine that has you reaching for another glass. An accomplished take on an Uco Valley Malbec. - Joaquín Hidalgo"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 94 pts

2019 Chakana Estate Malbec - 94 PTS - VINOUS

2019 Chakana Estate Malbec - 94 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"The 2019 Malbec Estate Selection from Uco Valley offers precise and attractive notes of fresh, sour cherry, plum and hints of lavender, violet and thyme. On the palate, it is a mix of flavors framed by fine, reactive tannins. Finishes juicy, with well-integrated freshness and fruity flavors - Joaquín Hidalgo"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (October 2021), 94 pts

2019 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - DWWA

2019 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - DWWA

decanter silver 2021"Ethereal nose with high class aromas of cigar box, smoke and dried fruits. Beautiful palate power with fantastic elegance."


- Decanter World Wine Awards 2021, 93 pts - Silver Medal

 

2019 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - JS

2019 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"Fragrant aromas of violets, lavender, wild herbs, blueberries and citrus zest. It’s medium-bodied with fine, tight-grained tannins and bright acidity. Juicy and floral. Drink now."

- James Suckling (March 2021), 91 pts

2018 Chakana Estate Selection Malbec - 93 PTS - TA

2018 Chakana Estate Selection Malbec - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Dominated by grapes from Gualtallary and Los Chacayes, with 15% from Paraje Altamira, this is like a version of the Uco Valley’s greatest hits. Effortlessly combined by Gabriel Bloise, it’s a classic expression of a very smart vintage, with just 10% new wood and layers of fresh, bright, chalky blackberry and blueberry fruit."
- Tim Atkin (March 2020),93 pts

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - TP

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - TP

tasting panel logo"From elevations over 5,000 feet, the fruit sourced for this impressive red is grown on sandy loan with calcareous gravels. Aged in new and used French oak (70%) and in concrete vats (30%) for 12 months. This is a wonderfully expressive and impressive red. Black cherry, bloody, grilled meat and high acidity intensifies a graphite thread. Black pepper is subtly integrated into the black fruit. A powerhouse with excellent drinkability."
- The Tasting Panel (July 2020), 93 pts

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - WE

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 91 pts


- Wine Enthusiast (November 2021), 91 pts

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - VINOUS

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 91 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"A Malbec combining grapes from Paraje Altamira, Los Chacayes and Gualtallary that spent 10 months in concrete and European oak barrels with no filtration and minimal added sulfites. An expressively fruity profile combines traces of ripe blueberry with fresh sour cherry and a hint of wood and jam. Complex in the mouth, it delivers chalky but gentle tannins with accomplished volume and freshness. An extreme take on Uco Valley Malbec. - Joaquín Hidalgo"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (October 2020), 91 pts

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 90 PTS - JS

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 90 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"Crushed plums, mulberries and waxberries with a herbal undertone. Very lifted acidity with crunchy black cherries on the palate, yet it ends somewhat abruptly. A little steely. Drink now."
- James Suckling (April 2nd 2020), 90 pts

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 90 PTS - JD

2018 Chakana Estate Malbec - 90 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"Also from the estate vineyard in the Uco Valley, the 2018 Malbec Estate is 100% Malbec that was brought up in 70% new French oak. This deeply hued effort has a big bouquet of blue fruits, underbrush, leafy herbs, damp earth, and a touch of rare steak. Complex, meaty, and medium to full-bodied, it has solid purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and a great finish."
- Jeb Dunnuck (August 2020), 90 pts

2017 Chakana Estate Malbec - 92 PTS - WE

2017 Chakana Estate Malbec - 92 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 92 pts"Pure blackberry and black-cherry aromas are elevated by a note of exotic Middle Eastern spice. In the mouth, this is firm and tight, with a touch to tartaric bite. Common top-line Malbec flavors of blackberry, cassis, raisin, baking spices and chocolate finish under control. Drink through 2025. - Michael Schachner"
- Wine Enthusiast (October 2019), 92 pts

Go To Chakana Estate Malbec

2017 Chakana Estate Malbec - 90+ PTS - VINOUS

2017 Chakana Estate Malbec - 90+ PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Full ruby-red. Aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, licorice, minerals and fresh herbs, lifted by a violet topnote. At once seamless and bright, with its black fruit, violet and pungent herbal flavors conveying excellent chalky, saline lift and penetration. This Malbec is still quite young but is more pliant than a sample of this wine that I tried a year ago shortly after the bottling; sharply delineated like my earlier bottle but not dry on the finish. In fact, this wine reminds me of a '16 for its saline minerality and energy, and is has the tightly coiled spring to last very well.. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (June 2019), 90+ pts

Go to Chakana Estate Malbec

2017 Chakana Estate Malbec - 90 PTS - JS

2017 Chakana Estate Malbec - 90 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"There’s a thread of mountain herbs here, sitting amid ripe plums and blackcurrant. The palate has a very rich and ripe array of red plums that hold the juicy finish. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (April 2019), 90 pts

Go To Chakana Estate Malbec

2017 Chakana Estate Malbec - 88 PTS - VINOUS

2017 Chakana Estate Malbec - 88 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"(15% new oak): Dark red with ruby tones. Brooding aromas of blackberry syrup, licorice and menthol are lifted by a hint of violet. Juicy and very primary, with dark fruit and herb flavors dominating. Firmly built and still tightly wound; in need of another six months to express itself. Finishes dry in a positive way, with a solid backbone. - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (Argentina’s Wines Enter The World Stage, July 2018), 88 pts

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2016 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - Descorchados

2016 Chakana Estate Malbec - 93 PTS - Descorchados

descorchados2018 logo"A new look for Chakana’s wines, this is a blend of Malbec from Altamira and Gualtallary. The wine’s aged in concrete vats (60%), the remainder in well used oak. The fruit is simply delicious, crisp, bracing, loaded with notes of fresh cherries. It’s a red that beautifully expresses place, a mountain wine with all those red fruit elements, but also herbs and spices. The texture seems to firmly latch on to the palate, seemingly unwilling to let go until it finds a nice chunk of roast beef. And the price. Appears to be in jest, but no. It’s not."
- Descorchados 2018, 93 pts

Go To Chakana Estate Malbec

Producer Information: Chakana

Chakana is a family owned winery located 960 meters (3,149 feet) above sea level at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Agrelo, Mendoza. It is one of the leading ...
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