Estate Malbec 2022 | Doña Paula | Mendoza

Wine Identification
The Estate Malbec is a red wine produced by Doña Paula, located in Mendoza, Argentina. The specific vintage for this profile is 2022. It is crafted exclusively from Malbec grapes, representing the winery’s estate offerings.

Origin and Winemaking
This wine draws fruit from two distinct estates within Mendoza: Alluvia, situated in Gualtallary at an altitude of 1,350 meters, and Los Indios, located in El Cepillo at 1,100 meters above sea level. The soils across these vineyards are characterized as stony and sandy-loamy, with a high limestone content.

The winemaking process begins with manual harvesting. The grapes undergo gentle destemming to preserve the integrity of the berries. To protect primary aromas, the wine experiences cold pre-fermentative maceration. Fermentation is conducted at low temperatures, followed by a post-fermentative maceration period lasting between 15 and 20 days. Finally, the wine matures for 12 months in French oak barrels of first, second, and third use.

Expected Profile
As a 100% Malbec, the wine reflects the cool-climate characteristics of its high-altitude origins in Gualtallary and El Cepillo. The emphasis on cold maceration and low-temperature fermentation suggests a focus on preserving fresh fruit expression and varietal purity. The extended post-fermentative maceration contributes to structure and tannin integration, while the aging in first-, second- and third-use French oak adds complexity without overwhelming the fruit with heavy toast or vanilla notes. The stony, calcareous soils likely impart minerality and acidity to the final blend.

Critical Reception
The Wine Advocate (Parker) awarded this wine a score of 92. James Suckling rated it at 91. These scores indicate strong critical approval for the vintage.

Overall Character
The Estate Malbec 2022 is a structured, high-altitude expression of Mendoza’s terroir. By combining fruit from two distinct sites and employing gentle winemaking techniques, Doña Paula produces a wine that balances freshness with depth, showcasing the potential of Malbec in cool-climate limestone soils.