Casarena

Varietal: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol By Volume: 14.3%
Region: Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina
Winemaker: Bernardo Bossi
MSRP: $21.99

We’re always impressed by wines that convey a sense of place and identity, and when they also receive some of the industry’s highest accolades, we know we need to bring them to our members. A blend of Argentina’s two most prolific varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, Sinco is a testament to the rich winemaking traditions of the Mendoza region. Sinco’s awards include a 92-point rating from Wine & Spirits Magazine and a 91-point score from renowned wine critic James Suckling who described the wine as “Impeccably balanced - a seamless integration of the two varieties,” and ”outstanding.”

WINEMAKERS:

Casarena Winery and Vineyards was created to honor to the rich winemaking traditions of Luján de Cuyo, one of the best terroirs in Mendoza. Based out of a restored century-old winery, Casarena’s mission is to preserve the historic vines that originally established the Mendoza wine region as one of the world’s finest.
Casarena has four different vineyards located in Agrelo & Perdriel districts of Luján de Cuyo at 3,100 feet above sea level. Each vineyard’s soil was thoroughly surveyed so that all possible expressions of Argentine Malbec and Cabernet could be shown. In developing Sinco, winemaker Bernardo Bossi selected grapes that showcased the Casarena vineyard’s range, blending the lifted aromatics that come Perdriel’s light rocky soils with the full-bodied structure derived from the alluvial clay of Argelo.

REGION:

Luján de Cuyo is a truly distinct appellation, and the perfect region to create wines with identity. Perched at 3100 feet above sea level in the High Valley of the Mendoza River, the Argelo and Perdriel districts are home to some of the oldest and most precious vineyards in the province.

These superb designations were chosen for their different geographical situations each with unique orientation and soil composition. Perdriel is located directly alongside the Mendoza River, which has left the vineyards with a light, silty soil abundant with surface stones that produce Malbecs with a red fruit profile and stony minerality. Agrelo is farther south from the river, and the denser clay soils result in darker grapes with concentrated flavors of black fruits.

TASTING NOTES:

Casarena Sinco’s intense, deep violet colors foreshadow its vivid aromas of sweet spices and ripe fruits, with notes of mint and eucalyptus. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, and licorice, are combined with raspberry and red fruits in a masterful blend. Coffee and herbal notes add subtle complexity without overwhelming the wine’s fruit. Sinco is a full-bodied wine with a long and powerful finish.