Malbec Don David Reserve 2019

Bodega El Esteco


The Don David range are the flagship wines of the Bodega El Esteco estate named in homage to the winery founder David Michel.

Terroir: Each selection in the Don David range is sourced from entirely estate owned vineyards throughout the Cafayate Valley. Vineyards sit at elevations well above 3,000 feet with many sitting above 6,000 feet. The power of the sun at these elevations combined with very little moisture or pests leads to wines of unique purity and concentration.

Vinification: Concentration and varietal expression are the goals of both the red and white wines in this range. The red wines undergo a 5 hour thin covering maceration which extracts additional concentration followed by more than a week of cold maceration in steel tank and 9 months in the cellars in a combination of French and American oak.

The flagship red varietal of Argentina. This wine shows plum, red fruits, spicy black cherries and cassis with toasted oak notes on the nose and palate. Ripe fruit and linear acidity balance strong but soft, ripe tannins.

El Esteco Don David Malbec 2017 – Winery Overview & Score

Additional Information

Displaying expressive plum jam, raisin and pipe tobacco aromas, with toasty vanilla notes, the wine has balanced, spicy dark fruits and cassis, almond and nutty notes on the long finish.

Technical Details

  • Appellation: Calchaquí Valley
  • Winemaker: Alejandro Daniel Pepa
  • Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
  • Soil: Sand, Gravel
  • Alcohol: 14%
  • Ttl Acidity: 6.1 g/l
  • Residual Sugar: 3.95 g/l
  • Pack Size: 12/750ml
  • Varietals: 100% Malbec

Recent Press

  • Score: 88 Points

    Wine Enthusiast Author: Michael Schachner
    Date: Friday, October 1, 2021
    Earthy berry aromas include a light dose of the Calchaquí Valley's typical roasted notes and leafy spice. This Malbec from the north of Argentina is full and round, with jammy berry flavors that finish with hints of spice and earthy herbs. Drink now.
  • Score: 86 Points

    Wine Spectator Author: Kim Marcus
    Date: Thursday, August 5, 2021
    "This shows beefy, leathery aromas, with flavors to match, plus notes of roasted plum. Finishes with hot spice accents to the underbrush nuances on the finish. Drink now. 100,000 cases made, 9,000 cases imported."
  • Rodeo Uncorked Date: Thursday, December 10, 2020
    "The 2020 competition, held Nov. 16-17 at NRG Center, included 3,528 entries from 19 countries, including France, Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, Israel, Argentina and South Africa. Texas wineries represented 480 entries, and 380 entries came from this year’s featured region, Mendoza, Argentina. Look for these award-winning wines at retail locations and plan to enjoy a selection at the Champion Wine Garden during the 2020 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo."
    Grade: Gold Medal - Class Champion
  • Score: 92 Points

    JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
    Date: Thursday, February 6, 2020
    "A dense, layered malbec with blackberry, chili-pepper and clove aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, yet tight and formed with a tannin structure that frames the wine nicely. Drink or hold."

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