2017 Petit Caro

Full bottle just 1,168 g – lighter than some of the Catena bottles. 67% Malbec, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes from selected plots of old vines in Lujan de Cuyo just outside Mendoza, and also from Altamira, further south and higher. In Lujan, soils are quite varied depending on how close vineyards are to the mountains or the Mendoza River, and tend to form alluvial layers of loam, rock and gravel. In Altamira, vineyards are planted at 1,000 m above sea level, on the ancient alluvial bed of the Tunuyan River. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. We are advised to decant two hours before serving this new second wine of Caro. Mid blackish garnet. What a shame; this is spoilt by TCA. I can tell on the palate that it's pretty smart, with bordeaux-style oak ageing and fine tannins but the pure fruit flavour is compromised. Very bordelais with extra purity of mountain air. Score assumes no TCA. (JR)