Santa Julia 2023 Mountain Blend, Mendoza, Argentina

The 2023 Santa Julia Mountain Blend steps into the glass with a clarity that catches you before the richness pulls you in. Deep violet with blue undertones, it opens on a floral-spice combo—sun-warmed violets, blackberry compote, and a whisper of herby lift, immediately thoughtful.

It’s built on concentrated fruit, but it never feels indulgent. You get plum and cherry mid-palate, then cocoa and espresso notes weave in, lending density and depth. There’s real tension beneath it all—structure that isn’t just supporting the fruit, but pushing it forward with finesse.

The tannins are fine-grained and firm, adding shape without weight. That tension—scored expertly in how it holds nuance while carrying saturation—is what keeps it from drifting into heaviness. It’s Argentina, yes, but it doesn’t rely on volume. It relies on detail.

Santa Julia isn’t new to quality. The Zuccardi family has farmed this land for generations, now running Santa Julia as a sustainable, aspirational project from organic vineyards at altitude. This blend—70% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Franc—is handpicked, aged in French oak, and built with intent, not show.

This is a wine that earns space on the table. Warm enough for grilled meats, composed enough for a second glass with friends. It’s balanced, articulate, and quietly ambitious—a refined Mountain Blend that makes you slow down and listen.