Gorgeous pure cabernet sauvignon aromas with currants, blackberry and stones. Full body, round tannins and savory, almost walnut undertones. A single vineyard wine from near Gualtallary. Excellent quality for the money. Drink or hold.

The 2013 Susana Balbo Signature Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Los Árboles in the district of Tunuyán in the Uco Valley. This is a cooler zone with some calcium carbonate in the soil where the grape ripens well that Balbo likes for Cabernet. The wine matured in 50% new French oak barriques (they have reduced the amount of new oak, which in the past reached 100%) with a medium toast in order to respect the fruit purity. This smells of ripe, very healthy grapes, cherries and fresh plums accented by hints of black pepper and a notable absence of green aromas. She dislikes the bell pepper aromas and prefers the fresher mint and actively searches for black pepper and avoids the overripe character. The palate is elegant, with some grip from the earthy tannins and has very good acidity and balance. A sleek, polished Cabernet with a little bit of a French accent. 60,000 bottles produced. - Luis Gutierrez