Fabre Montmayou Grand Vin Red Blend 2016

We’ve been working closely with Fabre Montmayou for quite a few years now. We bring in an array of wines they produce in Mendoza, but this is the first time we’ve imported their very top wine. We’d like to introduce you to Grand Vin, a blend of mostly malbec with a bit of cab sav and merlot. It is sourced from 112-year old vines in Vistalba, one of the premium sub-regions of Mendoza. 

There’s no cutting corners here, especially in the vineyard. They use the labour-intensive channel irrigation system that involves fortnightly water run into little canals in the vineyard from the river. Small wooden dams are moved by hand to direct the flow into individual rows of vines. It’s an incredible sight to see. After harvest, there is first a hand selection of bunches, followed next by a hand selection of individual grapes. Following fermentation, the wine is put into French oak for 16 months.

The finished wine is dense in colour with an explosive bouquet of red cherry, plum and vanilla. This carries through to the palate with the addition of coffee and dark chocolate characteristics. The tannins are fine and dusty, leading to an exceptionally long finish. This is truly one of the great wines of Argentina, their equivalent of a First Growth or Grand Cru. Critics and wine lovers in South America have long recognised this for its power, quality and ageability. It’s high time for Australia to as well.