Mendel Unus 2010 - 93 Point Argentine Wine from Icon Roberto de la Mota

MENDEL Unus

BRITISH COLUMBIA
June 27, 2013

Neal Martin on vigneron Roberto de la Mota of Mendel

"Alongside Nicolas Catena, the late Raul de la Mota was considered the forefather of modern Argentinean viticulture and his son, Roberto de la Mota, has himself become one of the country's most respected vignerons. It was Roberto's knowledge and expertise that Mendel's proprietor, Anabelle Sielecki, whose father immigrated to Argentina, sought when looking for a partner, and it was a pleasure to meet both at this small winery. The first thing to catch my eye was a sign indicating the age of the vines in Lujan de Cuyo. Mendel is a bijou winery that does not rely on modern technology to conjure impressive wines. They come from the small, specially selected ancient parcels that are combined with a simple, intuitive approach to winemaking courtesy of Roberto and vineyard manager, Santiago Mayorga. These are splendid, intellectual Mendoza wines." - (October 2012 - Issue #203)

Mendel Unus 2010

VARIETALS:	Malbec, Cabernet Sauvingnon and Petit Verdot
REGION:	Mendoza, ARGENTINA
PRICE:	$53.00/ bottle
FORMAT:	6 x 750ml
DRINKABILITY:	now - 2013

93 POINTS - Wine Advocate

"The 2010 Unus is a blend of 82-year-old un-grafted 65% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon from Perdriel, Mayor Drummond and Altamira that is aged in new Taransaud oak for 16 months. It has a lifted, feminine bouquet of ripe black currant, red currant, rose petals and violets that is beautifully defined. The palate has very fine tannins, crisp red berry fruit and a poised, understated finish that has a crystalline purity. Drink now-2020."

Issue #203

Roberto de la Mota is one of Argentina's most respected and admired winemakers.

His long career in wine began when he was just 19, working with his renowned father Raul, who made wine at Bodega Weinert for 20 years (at the time Robert Parker declared that Weinert was making 'the most profound red wine in South America'). After studying Viticulture and Winemaking at the University of Montpellier Roberto made wine at Moet + Chandon's Terrazas de los Andes, then created Cheval des Andes with Pierre Lurton of Chateau Cheval Blanc in 1999. He and business partner Annabelle Sielecki founded Mendel in 2003.

Roberto de la Mota is a unique person. A paraplegic since a 2007 car accident, he has an aura of gentle calmness and zen-like serenity that fills the room the moment he enters. You quietly become aware that you are in the presence of an immensely powerful source of positive energy. His presence is totally dominating in a way that is only possible because it is totally effortless. And of course when he speaks to you he has the special gift of tricking you into thinking that - at least for a moment - you are as smart as he is.

Mendel Unus is a classic Mendoza blend of cabernet sauvignon (until the mid 90's Argentina's dominant red grape) and malbec, the current favorite. It is a perfect example of how one plus on can equal three: the cabernet provides tannin, structure, and freshness, while the malbec adds fruit, texture and volume. The result is a wine of truly extraordinary richness, elegance and balance.