Bodega Noemia : J Alberto Malbec 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for the J Alberto Malbec 2020 from Bodega Noemia

Tasting

Appearance

The color shows intense ruby highlights, typical of high-altitude malbecs. The deep hue reveals the exceptional concentration of grapes from pre-phylloxera vines.

Nose

The nose is intensely fragrant and complex, dominated by black-fruit aromas such as blackberry and black raspberry. Graphite and mineral notes add depth, while hints of violet, cedar, and red spices enrich the bouquet after aeration.

Palate

The palate offers a remarkably balanced structure with a medium-to-full body. The tannins are refined and sandy, giving a velvety texture. Lively acidity brings freshness and length, while flavors of wild blackcurrant, sour cherry, and black olives unfold. The dry, spicy finish leaves a very persistent, chalky mineral impression.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs ideally with roast lamb, grilled red meats, and game. Its freshness also allows it to match grilled or sauced white fish. It pairs perfectly with aged goat cheeses, grilled mushrooms, and herb-roasted vegetables.

Serving and cellaring

This J Alberto Malbec 2020 is best enjoyed between 14 and 18°C depending on the food. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve through around 2035. Store in cool, stable conditions, between 10 and 14°C.

An elegant, mineral Patagonia malbec from Bodega Noemia

The estate

Founded in 2001 by Italian countess Noemi Marone Cinzano and Danish winemaker Hans Vinding-Diers, Bodega Noemia has established itself as one of Argentina’s most remarkable estates. Located at 39 degrees south latitude in the Rio Negro region of Patagonia, the estate cultivates pre-phylloxera vines planted in 1955. Since 2018, Hans Vinding-Diers has been the sole owner. The estate stands out for its organic and biodynamic certifications, its minimal-intervention viticulture, and its elegant wines that defy stereotypes of Argentine malbec.

The vineyard

The vineyard spans 4.5 hectares of pre-phylloxera vines planted in 1955 in Mainqué, in the Rio Negro Valley in Patagonia. Set at 240 meters above sea level on the river’s north bank, it benefits from an extreme desert climate characterized by warm days and cool nights. The soils consist of alluvial terrain enriched by river deposits, with sand, gravel, and a limestone base that gives the wine its distinctive minerality. Traditional irrigation is carried out by flooding two to three times a year with the pure waters of the Rio Negro. The vines, from massal selection on own-rooted vines, are cultivated according to the principles of certified organic and biodynamic farming.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Patagonia was marked by a warm winter under the influence of La Niña, followed by a cool spring without significant frosts. The summer proved hot and dry, with 70 mm of rainfall recorded on February 20, which tempered temperatures just before harvest. The grapes were picked in late February with moderate alcohol levels and an excellent pH, eliminating any need for acidification. These conditions produced an Argentine wine with a fruity, balanced profile and lovely natural freshness.

Winemaking and aging

This J Alberto Malbec 2020 was vinified with 30% whole clusters. Fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks with indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention. The wine was then aged for 18 months, moving through concrete eggs, 600-liter tonels, and a portion of first-fill French barrels. No fining or filtration was carried out.

Grape varieties

Malbec (95%) and merlot (5%).