September's Wine of the Month – Santa Julia 2024 Reserva Mountain Blend, Mendoza, Argentina

The 2024 Mountain Blend has a gorgeous, nearly opaque dark ruby color followed by aromas of crushed blackberries and a touch of vanilla from the oak.  In the mouth, the wine has Bordeaux-like dryness, with enough plush fruit to provide pleasure, with just enough tannin to give the wine a handsome structure and architecture without a bitter finish.  The aftertaste is clean, and at just 13.5% alcohol, I find myself reaching for another sip and another.  This is a super-clean organic wine with some actual freshness here.  An amazing value, the Mountain Blend is in a good place right now.

Since the 1950s, the Zuccardi family has pioneered winegrowing in Mendoza, building state-of-the-art facilities and establishing a vineyard portfolio and business model rivaled by few in the region. Julia Zuccardi, a granddaughter of the family patriarch, is the namesake and director of the estate. She's hired Ruben Ruffo, a 25-year veteran winemaker to craft the wines, while Edgardo Consoli manages the sprawling vineyards like they belong to a Bordeaux classified growth. Bodega Santa Julia was created in honor of Julia Zuccardi, part of the third generation of leaders from the family. The Santa Julia winery represents the family's commitment to producing the highest quality wines through sustainable practices that protect the environment and uplift the local community. They support the land, the farmers and the overall health of the local community in a myriad of ways.

70% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Franc