“The level of precision here is amazing; they might very well be the finest producer in Argentina.” – Wine Advocate

This is as serious a Malbec as you can find. In fact, this might be the single BEST example at this price.

Plump, plush, and JUICY, with head-spinning complexity. And priced to stock the holiday cupboard.

A huge 96 points from James, plus a couple of 94s (including a lengthy TOME from Wine Advocate).

One helluva wine for, wait…WAY under $40?!

And with just a handful of cases to share, only our savviest (and quickest) serious red wine connoisseurs will get a shot at it.

This is what we expect from Zuccardi. Named New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2022, selected by The World’s Best Vineyards as the Best Vineyard in the World three years in a row (before joining the hall of fame). And the winery with more Wine Advocate 100-point scores than any other in Argentina… and we could go on. The awards and praise stacks higher than the Eiffel Tower and they all add up to one simple fact.

Zuccardi is in a league of their own.

Vinous explains “Zuccardi’s journey is a summation of the contemporary Argentine wine scene. Today, the estate makes some of the most interesting reds… The Zuccardis were also champions of new soil-focused approaches, of which their parcel wines are excellent examples. Between 2008 and 2022 they created an extremely distinguished technical team whose creativity is matched by their execution.” (If you need more proof, just read the Wine Advocate’s 656-word write-up below! They totally did the homework for us. Just…WOW.)

Currently helmed by the third generation, the dynamic Sebastián Zuccardi, they are OBSESSED with terroir and quality.

The José Zuccardi Malbec is named for José Alberto, one of critic Tim Atkin’s “Winemaking Legends” and Sebastián’s father. In 2000, José Alberto challenged their team to create a blend across their top vineyards that would be the ultimate expression of Malbec. He fittingly called the wine ‘Zeta,’ both the first letter in Zuccardi, but also the ultimate letter of the alphabet. In 2013, Sebastián changed the name to honor his father.

When you name something after your father, you can imagine it needs to deliver. And boy does this - it’s dark, brooding, and busts onto the scene with a flavor-savory DELUGE of fruit! Draped floor to ceiling in rich velvety tannins and a gradient of black and blues fruits. Hints of mocha, violets, and exotic spices decorate the complex tapestry. Seamless, long, and intellectually satisfying, as the Wine Advocate review says, “a perfect marriage of classically informed richness and contemporary precision.”

It’s perfect (and perfectly priced!) for sharing with friends and family. Or just keep it for yourself. Your call!

96 Points – James Suckling “A full-bodied and expressive malbec with 5% cabernet sauvignon. Minerals, black cherries and cool blue fruit. A touch of cocoa powder, but there is nothing plush. Concentrated but austere, with tons of juicy fruit and dusty tannins treading into a long, bright finish. Fermented in concrete and aged 24 months in foudres. Drink or hold.”

94 Points – Wine Advocate “Within the tremendous scope of Argentine wine, there is perhaps no more impressive or complete transformation than that of Zuccardi. Its story has unfolded across three generations: its founding in 1963 by Alberto “Tito” Zuccardi, who used vineyards as demonstration vessels for a proprietary irrigation system; its rise to global distribution led by José Zuccardi; and its current phase under Sebastián Zuccardi, who joined the family business in 1999. His relentless vision centering around purity and place, along with his wholesale commitment to investing in the Uco Valley, has propelled Zuccardi into the upper echelon of producers in South America. Sebastián’s studies focused on viticulture rather than winemaking, a background that continually influences his viewpoint and defines the transparent aesthetic of the wines. Initially drawn to the Uco Valley in search of a climate suitable for producing sparkling wine, Zuccardi currently owns 350 hectares of vines in the region, primarily concentrated in Paraje Altamira, San Pablo and Gualtallary and overseen by viticulturist Martín di Stefano. Each vineyard site has been meticulously mapped and planned according to soil type, typically featuring a combination of alluvial soils with calcium carbonate content. The overarching vision at Zuccardi centers on representing place, which can easily sound like a series of buzzwords, but at Zuccardi, it becomes palpably evident throughout every aspect of the operation, from the design of the winery and the materials of the fermenters to the layout of the vineyards and the crystalline clarity of the wines themselves. Alongside Sebastián, production is overseen by Head Winemaker Laura Principiano. The cellar concentrates on fermentations in concrete vats, where a labyrinth of vessels was crafted from stones excavated while planting their Uco Valley vineyards. Red wines typically do not undergo cold soaking, and macerations occur over 12 to 15 days. Whole-cluster fermentation varies by vineyard site, with San Pablo often destemmed entirely, Gualtallary typically seeing a healthy amount and Altamira usually fermented entirely whole cluster. White wines are typically not racked and do not undergo malolactic conversion. Sémillon is vinified in foudre, a notable exception to the focus on concrete, as the team strives to encourage oxygen exposure during fermentation and élevage. The portfolio is organized in a hierarchical pyramid, structured similarly to the Burgundian cru system: the Serie A and Q lines are introductory, regional labels focusing on clean, concise expressions of their respective varieties; Polígonos is a corollary to village bottlings representing a specific section of the Uco Valley; wines such as Concreto, José, Tito and Emma Zuccardi fall under the Viticulturist line, which pays homage to family members and historic wine styles; the Paraje range includes Fósil, Botánico and the Aluvional series, each representing a specific subregion defined by soil and climate; the Finca range offers a stunning selection of single-vineyard wines, with the single-parcel bottlings of Piedra Infinita occupying the apex of the range. Regardless of price point, the unifying factor throughout the roster is unwavering clarity, focus and precision. The dramatic shift away from the heavier, oakier and glossy style that defined many Argentine wines in the 1990s and 2000s is nowhere to be found. In the words of Sebastián, “Before, the wines of Argentina were the muscles; now they are the bones.” I believe it is safe to say that Zuccardi’s vision, transformation and success have had quite a bit to do with that in recent years. Sourced from Altamira and Gualtallary, the 2021 José Zuccardi is 95% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that was fermented in concrete before maturing two years in foudre. It is an homage to Sebastián’s father, aiming to evoke the historic wines of Argentina—as Sebastián says, “not the 1990s or 2000s, but the 1940s or 1950s.” It leads with an inviting, focused nose of black fruits and balsamic accents, introducing a creamy, svelte and taut palate. It concludes with a seamless, refined and elegantly decadent finish. It is a perfect marriage of classically informed richness and contemporary precision. Drink 2024 – 2031”

94 Points – Tim Atkin MW “Named after Sebastián Zuccardi’s father, José, this is an assemblage of Malbec and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from Gualtallary and Paraje Altamira. Aged in large wooden foudres that have a negligible impact in terms of flavour, but do soften the wine’s structure, it’s dark, brooding and intensely coloured, with savoury tannins, damson and bramble flavours, bright acidity and a mountain herb top note. Drink 2026-2034”