"The 2008 Gran Riserva is composed of 100% Malbec that was also sourced from a single vineyard and spent 16 months in new French oak. Balsam wood, exotic spices, lavender, and assorted black fruits set the stage for an incipiently complex wine with enough underlying structure to evolve for 1-2 years. It will drink nicely through 2020+." (12/11)
Product Description:
WINE:
"Grapes for the Ave Gran Riserva are selected from 50-year-old vines. The grapes are selected at harvest, de-bunched and put into stainless steel vats and kept at a temperature of 28-30 degrees Celsius. After 20 days of maceration, the wine is moved to French oak barriques for malolactic fermentation. After ageing 18 months in new oak the wine is bottled and rests 12 months before shipping."
"An intense ruby-red color with violet shades. The nose presents concentrated aromas of violets, plum and red fruit with hints of vanilla, chocolate and 'dulce de leche.' The Gran Riserva has great structure and wonderful persistence on the palate. It presents juicy integrated tannins, with balanced acidity. A complex full-bodied wine; perfect to accompany the heartiest of meat dishes or to enjoy on its own." -Importer
WINERY:
"Lured to Mendoza in 2004 the two young Tuscans [Mario Pardini and Iacopo di Bugno] were seduced by the sights, music, dance, food and intense fervor for life that pervades the Argentine culture. They were enraptured by the majestic mountains and the lush oasis of vineyards at the base of the Andes but what captivated them the most was what they affectionately referred to as Mendoza’s 'eldest son': the Wine! Desiring to establish an avant-garde winery that celebrated their ancestry while optimizing the potential of Argentine viticulture they sought and acquired 40 hectares of prime vineyard in the prestigious region of Pedriel, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, counting among their neighbors some of the finest and most honored Argentine wineries."
"To complete the marriage of enological traditions they hired Tuscan winemaker Alberto Antonini to assist them in transforming their philosophies and passion into wines befitting the name 'AVE,' which translates as 'hail!' and was the revered greeting the Romans offered to Caesar. As Italian wine makers in the new world Mario and Iacopo produce wines with depth and power yet still exhibit the structure and harmony reminiscent of the wines of their heritage. Of their 'eldest son' they say 'old age does not exist, only maturity.'" -Importer
This was also rated 88 points by the International Wine Cellar and 87 points in the Wine Spectator.