Outstanding Malbec from the oldest winery in Mendoza
Bodegas Escorihuela Gascon is Mendoza’s oldest working winery and was the first to start making wines from 100% Malbec in the 1940s. A true taste of Mendoza’s heritage and terroir, the wines are exclusive to Walker & Wodehouse.
The story begins in 1880, when 19 year-old Spanish farmer Miguel Escorihuela Gascon left his family farm in Aragon to seek fortune and adventure in Argentina. His first taste of the wine trade was working in a grocery store in Buenos Aires, where he received deliveries of 300-litre wine barrels from Mendoza. Within four years, he’d moved to Mendoza himself and purchased 17 hectares of land, where he planted vineyards and began to build his bodega.
Don Miguel soon became a major figure in the community, employing local people to work on his farm, and working closely with local growers. Many of these relationships are still going strong today, with Escorihuela’s network of 140 growers one of the largest in Argentina.
Since 1992 the winery has been managed by Mendoza’s most famous winemaking family – the Catenas. The bodega’s current manager is Ernesto, son of Nicolas Catena, who aims to create quality wines with a strong sense of place and authentic varietal expression.
High Altitude Dual Varietals
On offer at 7 bottles for 6 (from 1 July)
Mendoza’s Aconcagua Mountain is the highest peak in South America and home to Escorihuela’s High Altitude Dual Varietal range. The wines, and their striking labels, take inspiration from an old mountain tradition. Locals would give new-born babies a good-luck charm, which took the form of a llama with condor wings – two creatures which are common in the area. The charm was said to encompass the best characteristics from each of the baby’s parents. In the same fashion, two different varieties are blended in this range to demonstrate the best expression of Escorihuela’s terroir.
Chardonnay-Torrontes 2014
85% Chardonnay and 15% Torrontes
Pale gold in colour, the Torrontes adds lovely aromas of stone fruit and white flowers to the crisp and refreshing Chardonnay. Great with Asian food such as pad thai and green curries, or just as delicious with simple fish and chips.
Malbec-Syrah 2014
80% Malbec and 20% Syrah
With an intense, deep red purple colour, this Malbec Syrah blend bursts with black fruit aromas, combined with a hint of mocha. Tannins are smooth and juicy with a pleasant spice on the finish. Great with grilled meats or mature cheeses.
1884
Named after the year that founder Don Miguel Escorihuela Gascon first arrived in Mendoza, these full-bodied yet elegant wines are aged for an average of eight months in French and American oak.
Malbec 2014
– Silver Medal in 2016 IWSC
– Highly Commended in The Wine Merchant Top 100
This intense and inky Malbec has intense notes of violets. The bouquet bursts with plummy aromas of black and red fruits. The tannins are soft and mature with a persistent, elegant finish. Delicious with grilled steak, game or extra mature cheddar.