Nose
The nose is rich with Cabernet traces of ripe red currant, eucalyptus and black pepper laced with Merlot jammy red fruit fragrances. Barrel aging adds a delicate touch of vanilla and tobacco.
Palate
On the palate, an unctuous, sweet entry leads to a full-bodied, complex wine, with smooth, finely grained tannins that expand and linger on the finish.
Growing Conditions
La Piramide Vineyard: aluvial origin. Clay topsoil with rounded rocks on the bottom. Adrianna Vineyard: aluvial origin. Gravel and limestone. Rounded rocks in the bottom
Harvest
Many in Mendoza have started calling 2015 "el año Bordelés", or "the Bordelais year" because of the cool summer, early autumn rains and generally low alcohols and high acidities in the main red varieties. The best Malbecs of 2015 have a refinement and elegance that only occur in very cool years. What was key in the 2014-2015 season was parcelization and low-yields farming. The Malbec in parcels with stony and limestone soils were undisputed super-stars. Because of the warm winter, the harvest was between 10 and 15 days earlier than usual.
Winemaking
Selected yeast. Max. Ferm.Temp. 27-30ºC, for 16 days, 19-22 days maceration
Aging
12-14 months in French oak barrels.
Appearance
Saint Felicien Cabernet-Merlot is an elegant, complex wine of a deep red ruby color.
