2010 Yacochuya

I had the chance to taste and compare two vintages of the top wine side by side. The 2010 Yacochuya is a pure Malbec from low-yielding vines planted in 1913. The wine is always going to be concentrated and powerful, but to different degrees according to the vintage, and this 2010 seems very balanced within the XXL size of everything here. It feels ripe and classic, with black fruit, dark cherries and blackberries accented by spices and nicely integrated oak aromas from its 18 months aging in new French oak barrels. The natural concentration of the wine seems to have absorbed the wood aromas, which are very subtle. The palate is full-bodied and a has strong character along with abundant, dusty tannins that reflect the rusticity and power of the region. This is a bruiser of a red, great in its style and with a long life ahead. 19,000 bottles produced.