Valle de Vistalba is a non-recognized sub-region within Lujan de Cujo, which is considered to be the best area in all of Mendoza for Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Rocky alluvial soils provide excellent drainage, and a dramatic diurnal (day to night) temperature shift, allow for the grapes to remain on the vines for extended periods, creating powerful, lush wines sacrificing crucial acidity or making overly alcoholic wines.  Also, because of the mountainous isolation and the ancient-style flood irrigation, Lujan de Cujo has largely escaped phylloxera, and many of the vines are planted on their original rootstocks.

Finca Vistalba, an estate owned by the Pulenta Family (of Trinchero), is made up of mostly Malbec, with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Bonarda, all of which have a minimum age of sixty years old, and all of which are planted on their original rootstocks.  After harvesting in small baskets, the grapes are brought into a state of the art gravity flow winery, where they are sorted and pressed, then fermented in separate lots by vineyard parcel and grape.  The wine is aged in new, medium toast French oak barriques (225 liter barrels).  While the wine is aging, the barrels are constantly tasted, and eventually a hierarchy arises.  The very few barrels that are at the top of the heap become Corte A.   This wine is aged for 18 months, then blended and bottled, and left to rest for 12 months before being released.

1,000 6-bottle cases of this is a sturdy, powerful wine, were made from 90% Malbec and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The nose explodes with cassis, black plum, grilled rare beef, black olives, and spicy, cedary oak. The structure is firm and elegant, and reminiscent of great Bordeaux, but the fruit is big and rich and unmistakably from the new world.  There is also a powerful mineral character that gives this wine serious class and a long, delightful finish.  For food pairings, think red meat, particularly grilled beef and roasted Lamb.  This wine will continue develop for another ten years, and drink well through 2025.  For more information about  2006 Vistalba Corte A