Mosquita Muerta ‘Sapo de Otro Pozo’ 2017

Description

‘A fish out of water’ is the sentiment here, although the literal translation ‘toad from another well’ is even more in-brand for the rococo Dead Mosquito.

This is five vineyard blend of Syrah (20%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and three separate plots of Malbec (60% of the total blend) from the Uco Valley in the southwest of Mendoza. Each plot is hand-harvested at different times according to ripeness and expression, and fermented separately using a combination of concrete eggs, 1,000 litre oak casks and standard 225 litre oak barriques. Half the wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 14 months, prior to final blending and bottling.

Full bodied and dark cherry in colour, the nose is thick with sweet black fruit, smoky and spicy aromas from the oak, and notes redolent of wild herbs, vanilla and violets. Full, ripe and rounded on the palate, with a great balance of acidity and tannins, an initial burst of blackcurrants and blueberries is followed by silky chocolate, coffee and caramel notes, with a dash of peppery spice and vanilla to finish.

Serve up with steak or home-made burgers, or a traditional roast beef with dripping-roasted potatoes and Yorkshire pudding.