BLACK TEARS BY TAPIZ MALBEC 2014

Age has settled this concentrated malbec into a good place with rich, ripe plums and a gently peppery edge. The palate has intensity and depth with concentrated dark berries, finding focus and length. Impressive poise here. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

What a transformation has taken place here under the aegis of Fabián Valenzuela and Jean-Claude Berrouet. Focused, elegant and very fine with silky tannins, lovely poise and freshness and deftly integrated 100% new oak, this is a superb, ageworthy Malbec.

The floral, aromatic and fresh 2014 Black Tears Malbec comes from the higher altitude vineyards where the soils are shallow and have lots of stones, matured in new and second use French oak barrels for 24 months. It has integrated oak, ripe fruit without excess, quite intense and with a powerful yet balanced and elegant palate. It's tasty and shows good purity of fruit and a stony/mineral sensation in the palate, a texture rather than a flavor... 19,200 bottles were filled in June 2016.

Floral berry, exotic spice, cinnamon and oak aromas lead to a full, jammy palate that's layered and generous with fruit. Blackberry, plum, chocolate and baking-spice flavors roll towards a smooth, solid finish that seems to be near maturity