An Evening with Bennett Sewell: Estado Natural Malbec

Winery, Location: Finca Austin & Finca La Passion, Lujan De Coyo, Uco Valley* Mendoza, Argentina

Vineyard Owner: Bennett Sewell

History: Bennett is originally from Texas and went to Argentina on a trip. He said he fell in love with everything about it, especially the way the snow blows in swirls off the mountains as soon as he arrived. He noted that you can see the snow-capped mountains from the vineyards in Mendoza, which have more of a desert climate, that only has about 7 inches of rain per year (because Argentina averages about 350 days of sunshine per year)!

*Wines from this part of Mendoza, in my experience, are a glass above the rest.

The wines:

2012 Estado Natural Malbec

Price: 16.99/bottle

Tasting Notes: Light, slightly tart, and easy to drink. Jammy fruit, and a nice mouth-feel with hints of oak.

My Verdict: Not bad at all. It's drinkable but I'm not a huge fan of tartness in wine, so I would go with one of the other two.

2009 Estado Natural Reserve
Price: 21.99/bottle

Tasting Notes: Notes of Vanilla, coffee, and mocha and dark fruits. Slight acidity and tannins with a buttery finish.

Notes: This wine doesn't need to be decanted, which is nice. It's been aged in oak barrels for 12 months.

My Verdict: Very good, but not as good as the third one (see review below).

2007 Estado Natural Gran Reserve

Price: 37.99/bottle

Tasting Notes: Deep red color, juicy, with aromas of berries (especially blackberries). Just the right amount of tannins and full bodied, yet light and buttery and a lingering finish.
My Verdict: This was my favorite by far. An exquisite and elegant Malbec.

Fun Fact: Bennett said part of what makes a wine a Gran Reserve is the variations in the contours of the ground, and the soil.

All of these wines are available at Grateful Red, and I believe through the winery's website here.

A Love Note: Bennett told a really sweet personal story in front of the group of wine tasters at Grateful Red, which was truley lovely. He met his wife when he was starting up the winery in Mendoza; she was the wine consulant who helped him get into the business. Now they have a four-year-old son. 

Cheers!