2004 Mendel Unus
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Tasting notes
The 2004 Unus was made with grapes from Luján de Cuyo. This was a moderately warm year, which comes out in the fruitiness of the wine. The well-defined, accomplished nose offers blackcurrant, dried flowers, a hint of leather, a touch of thyme and complex suggestions of a developing bouquet. The tannins have aged well and remain a little taut and characterful. This is a well-assimilated red with a firm texture. It still has plenty of life in it.
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Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous
More reviews and scores
2004 was warm (cooler than 2003, which was the year of the canicule in France), very dry and the wines were concentrated, ripe and a little closed. They needed time to be open and express all the aromas. The first vintage of Unus. Ungrafted Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1928 in Luján de Cujo. 16 months in new French oak. Very dark ruby, still with so much depth of colour. Incredibly complex aroma that combines the very beginning of undergrowth, sweet dark small berries – blackberry and blueberry. Liquorice too and oak's sweet spice. So much fruit. Still seems so young in texture with a compact firmness that is polished and rounded. More savoury and dark on the palate, finely dry, quite a grip on the finish. Almost nothing sweet on the finish and the after-effect is beautifully fresh. (JH)