2018 Finca Mangato Las Estelas Malbec Alto de las Piedras Tupungato Mendoza Argentina 750 ml

The Finca Mangato Las Estelas Malbec boasts a Lafite Rothschild-endorsed talent, high-altitude vines, and exceptional value, so it’s no wonder that this spicy, berry-laden bottle was one of our members' favorites last year. We’re the exclusive source for the 2018, a 93-point follow-up that shows off serious terroir and pedigreed winemaking in a sophisticated yet affordable package.

We first heard of this overachieving beauty from our friend Laura Catena, the superstar behind Mendoza’s legendary Bodega Catena Zapata. And it's enthralling. The nose opens with spiced blackberry aromas that lead into juicy dark fruit on the palate, with complex hints of spice and graphite. A classic 100% Malbec, it’s got a savory and rich core that finds lift in a refreshing, mineral-cut finish—you’re going to want to bust out the expensive steaks with this one.

Finca Mangato’s winemaker, Estela Perinetti, made her name at Catena and at the helm of Bodegas CARO, the first South American venture of $1,000+ Bordeaux icon Lafite Rothschild. Her ability to find fabulous old-vine sources of Malbec was so impressive that she convinced the ultra-traditional First Growth to incorporate the grape into their signature Argentine wine—which was originally going to be Cabernet.

When Perinetti started her independent Finca Mangato project, she used the best Malbec vines she could source—those from her family estate. Las Estelas Malbec hails from a longtime Catena Zapata source, the oldest, rockiest, and highest-altitude blocks on Perinetti’s family vineyard in the El Peral District of Mendoza’s Uco Valley.

At their 4,000-foot elevation, these rugged vines benefit from intense sun exposure during the day and frigid temperatures at night, enabling the grapes to develop delectably ripe fruit profiles alongside a bright, refreshing acidic spine. 

We discovered this wine after chatting with Laura Catena following a wine panel she led in Oakland. We asked her what was new and exciting in Mendoza these days, and she said, “Give me a few days, I’ll show you.” Less than a week later, the Finca Mangato Las Estelas arrived at our office. It was so impressive, we secured an allocation within 24 hours of tasting it. 

This 2018 is the best vintage we’ve tried, boasting a 93-point score from Descorchados, one of South America’s leading wine publications. Last year’s Malbec was one of the most beloved we’ve offered and this one’s even better.