2017 La Cautiva
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Tasting notes
From Gualtallary. Means ‘the captive’ and ‘captivated’. Planted within the last eight years in a very high part of Gualtallary which perhaps needs a special name (they’d like to call it Monasterio – near PerSe). Very perfumed. Transparent and a totally different kettle of fish from stereotypical Mendoza Malbec. Minerally finish. Almost like a mouthwash! Austere on the end at the moment. Wait, and/or use this to shock! (JR)
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Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The nose of the 2017 La Cautiva, a pure Gualtallary, has violets, flowers, herbs and spices and opens up as the wine sits in the glass, quite complex and layered. There are some more tannins than in 2016, possibly amplified by the chalky texture provided by the limestone-rich soils, incredibly juicy, with a big structure. Someone mentioned Cornas when we were tasting this wine... I later visited the zone and was amazed by the chalky soils where they are planning to build their winery and house. I think they have discovered a very special place here where they have planted more vines, next to the plot from where these grapes were sourced. I retasted the wine after seeing the soils, and my view was completely different. 2,000 bottles and some larger formats were filled in August 2018.