2023 Santa Julia Reserva Mountain Blend Valle de Uco Mendoza 750 ml

The Zuccardis are one of Mendoza’s first families of wine. Their wines deliver exceptional value and character every time, whether it’s an epic $100 red or an affordable stunner like this 2019 Mountain Blend. Grown almost 3,000 feet above sea level in the Uco Valley, the most acclaimed subregion of Mendoza, it comprises 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Franc. Organically farmed and entirely handpicked, it boasts the kind of quality we’d expect at twice the price. 

The Zuccardi family has been a pillar of Mendoza winemaking since the 1950s. Their state-of-the-art facilities and vineyard portfolio are unrivaled in the region, and it shows in their world-class wines. As Wine Advocate wrote of Zuccardi Vinos, Santa Julia’s sister estate: “Zuccardi is clearly among the top wineries of the country—and improving each year.”

Under Julia Zuccardi, granddaughter of the family patriarch, their Santa Julia estate continues to innovate. Her expert team includes Ruben Ruffo, a 25-year veteran winemaker, and Edgardo Cónsoli, who manages the vineyards like they belong to a Bordeaux classified growth. 

Their organic compost, cover crop, and irrigation practices promote a healthy soil microbiome, while native flora and fauna surround the vineyards, giving rise to a singular richness and complexity in wines like this one. Its deep purple core exudes steeped lilac, violet, and black-fruit aromas, which enrich the palate’s generous fruit and silky tannins. 

Today, generations of experience, a well-built infrastructure, and a little help from the global economy have come together to yield one of the best red values on the market. Enjoy it by the grill or by the fire!