Michel Rolland Yacochuya Malbec is a powerful and concentrated red wine from the high-altitude vineyards of Cafayate in Argentina’s Salta region. Crafted by world-renowned French winemaker Michel Rolland, this Malbec showcases bold flavours of ripe black fruit, spice, and a touch of oak, offering a deeply expressive yet balanced profile that reflects both the intensity of the terroir and Rolland’s signature winemaking style.
Michel Rolland is one of the most influential winemakers in the world, known for consulting with top wineries across the globe and shaping the modern wine industry. Rolland first became involved in Argentine winemaking in the 1980s and has since been instrumental in elevating the reputation of Malbec on the international stage. In 1998, he partnered with the Etchart family, owners of the Yacochuya estate, to create wines that reflect the unique high-altitude terroir of Cafayate. With Yacochuya, Rolland focuses on crafting robust, opulent wines that showcase the full potential of Malbec, blending his Bordeaux expertise with Argentine tradition. Under Rolland’s guidance, Yacochuya produces limited quantities of high-end wines with a focus on quality, precision, and expression of place.
The Cafayate Valley, located in the Salta province of northern Argentina, is one of the highest wine-growing regions in the world, with vineyards planted at elevations between 1,700 and 2,200 meters (5,500 to 7,200 feet) above sea level. This extreme altitude contributes to the unique characteristics of Yacochuya Malbec. The intense sunlight, coupled with cooler nighttime temperatures, allows the grapes to ripen fully while retaining natural acidity and freshness. The soils are a mix of sandy and rocky compositions, which provide excellent drainage and promote deep-rooted vines. These conditions, combined with the low rainfall of the region, result in small, concentrated berries that produce wines with remarkable intensity and depth. The 2014 vintage was aged in new French oak barrels, adding further complexity and a polished texture to the wine.
This Malbec is bold and intense, with aromas of ripe blackberry, black cherry, and plum, accented by notes of violets, dark chocolate, and sweet spices such as cinnamon and vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied and richly textured, with concentrated flavours of black fruit, licorice, and a touch of smoky oak. The wine’s fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity give it structure and depth, while the oak aging adds layers of vanilla, cedar, and a hint of toast. The finish is long and lingering, with a harmonious blend of fruit and spice.
Michel Rolland Yacochuya Malbec 2014 awards:
Jancis Robinson – 17/20
Tim Atkin – 92/100
Robert Parker – 92/100
Food pairing suggestion: Argentinian beef stew.
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