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{ SOMMjournal.com } 31 "Thanks to this research, we have been able to perform a sector- ized harvest, individualizing different grape qualities and processing them separately," explains Doña Paula viticulturalist Martín Kaiser. "In addition, it has given us a better understanding of the interaction between soil and grape quality. For example, we have analyzed the effect of calcium carbonate (caliche) content in the wines' profiles." Tiers of Terroir The terroir of Doña Paula's estate vineyards is expressed in four distinct tiers of wines offering a wide range of price points, each of them representing exceptional value for 100 percent estate wines. Los Cardos (SRP $12)—"the thistles," named for the colorful flowers featured on the label which are an unmistakable sign of good terroir in Argentina—is a line of fresh, young and approachable wines produced with 100 percent Doña Paula–owned grapes, allowing con - sistent quality and unique style. The range includes a spicy, rich Malbec, a soft, expressive Cabernet Sauvignon, a fruit-forward Chardonnay and a bright, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. The Doña Paula Estate range (SRP $16) stands out for its vari - etal purity, its harmonious sensation on the palate, its deep flavors and its great body, simultaneously vivacious and complex. This tier includes the concentrated Doña Paula Estate Malbec, the complex Doña Paula Estate Black Edition Bordeaux-style blend, the rich Doña Paula Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the fresh, lightly oaked Doña Paula Estate Chardonnay. Doña Paula Selección de Bodega (SRP $60) signifies the best Malbec that Argentine terroir can produce and is sourced from the oldest Malbec vines in Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. A blend of Malbec grapes from three distinct terroirs—Finca El Alto in Ugarteche (Luján de Cuyo), Finca Alluvia in Gualtallary (Tupungato, Uco Valley), and Finca Los Indios in Altamira (San Carlos, Uco Valley)—it has a deep violet color with aromas of dark berries and notes of graphite, black cherries and spice. The winery team's attention to terroir culminates in the Doña Paula Parcel series (SRP $100), single-vineyard icon wines that show the maximum expression of three distinguished Argentine terroirs: Gualtallary, Altamira and Ugarteche. These wines are the result of years of research on the different winegrowing regions of Argentina, reflected in the stylish labels. Doña Paula El Alto Parcel Malbec comes from a 6.67-acre selected parcel in the winery's El Alto estate's block No. 10, which was planted in 1969. El Alto is located in Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo. "El Alto estate has clay loam soils with gravel and many pebbles underground. It is located at almost 3,281 feet above sea level and its average annual rain - fall is 7.87 inches. Its yield is around 1785 pounds per acre ," explains Martín Kaiser. "El Alto Parcel Malbec has an intense violet color and spicy aromas of black pepper and dried herbs combined with notes of ripe red fruits and nuts. In the mouth, it is medium to full bodied but sophisticatedly austere. This complex and concentrated wine has a very persistent finish," as described by Marcos Fernandez, Doña Paula's winemaker. Doña Paula Alluvia Parcel Malbec is produced with grapes from the winery's bush vine vineyards planted in a selected 5.93-acre parcel in block No. 8 of Alluvia estate, which is located in Gualtallary, Uco Valley. "These vineyards are planted in rocky and calcare - ous soils in one of Argentina's coolest climates. This estate is located at around 4,429 feet above sea level and its average annual rainfall is 11.02 inches. Its yield is almost 1,339 pounds per acre and two complete plants are needed to produce one bottle. These plants are trained as bush vines," says Kaiser. "Alluvia Parcel Malbec has a deep black-violet color and intensely young and pure aromas of black, acidic berries, like blackberry and raspberry, combined with floral and spicy notes, together with marked mineral and graphite notes. In the mouth, it has a great structure, very mineral and fresh. It has strong and firm tannins, and a very persistent finish," accord - ing to Fernandez. D oña Paula Los Indios Parcel Malbec comes from a 2.97-acre selected parcel in the winery's Los Indios estate' No. 9 block, located in Altamira, Uco Valley. "Los Indios estate has sandy loam soils that are highly mineral and have a great amount of calcium carbonate (caliche). In this area, the climate is cool and the average annual rainfall is 11.81 inches. This estate is located at almost 3,773 feet above sea level," explains Kaiser. "Los Indios Parcel Malbec is the result of excep - tional harvests and is produced in limited lots (2,000 bottles). It displays an intense purplish red color with black hues. In the nose, it has aromas of violets and black fruits as well as spicy notes and remarkable fresh- ness. In the mouth, it stands out for its great concentration, marked acidity and silky tannins. It is a very elegant wine with an excellent aging potential," states Fernandez. In the U.S., Doña Paula is part of the Napa Valley–based Trinchero Family Estates portfolio of premium wines and spirits. In addition to its four tiers of wines, Doña Paula has just released an on-premise exclusive, the 2014 "Paula" Malbec, which is intended to be sold by the glass for a target price of around $8. Sourced from the Ugarteche vineyard in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, "Paula" Malbec displays an intense purple color and delivers aromas of rich red fruit and herbes de Provence with a velvety texture and smooth finish." "PAULA": ON-PREMISE PROMISE PHOTO COURTESY OF DOÑA PAULA PHOTO COURTESY OF DOÑA PAULA