Bodegas Caro - Amancaya 2020

Harmonious and powerful blends — at Bodegas CARO, this ideal goes beyond just the wine.

CARO was born of the alliance between two wine cultures (French and Argentine), two noble grape varieties (cabernet sauvignon and malbec), and two renowned wine families, Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite and Nicolás Catena.

The partnership between DBR Lafite and the Catena family first took root in 1999. The Catenas drew on their knowledge of Mendoza’s high-altitude terroirs and their passion for fine malbec. The Rothschilds brought their centuries of skill in growing, vinifying, and aging great cabernet sauvignon, as well as their expertise in blending. Together, they created CARO — a union of their famous surnames, Catena and Rothschild, that celebrates the fusion of opposites and the greatness this synergy can yield.

Located on exceptional sites in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, Bodegas CARO sources grapes from vineyards in Lujan de Cúyo (part of the “First Zone,” where the first malbecs in Argentina were planted) and the Uco Valley.

Always eyeing the best terroir, in 2021, DBR Lafite invested in additional vineyards in the newly minted Uco Valley district of San Pablo — specifically in Tupungato and San Carlos, in the areas of Altamira, Gualtallary, and San Jose — where they planted more malbec in 2022. The winery itself was constructed in 1884 and is a designated heritage building, lying in the heart of the city of Mendoza.

Today, the estate is led by two of the most dynamic women in wine — Laura Catena (daughter of Nicolás) and Saskia de Rothschild (daughter of Baron Eric de Rothschild). Together with talented winemaker Philippe Rolet, they are further cementing the Bodegas CARO name in Argentina’s fine wine story, creating expressions of Mendoza’s rugged terroirs that show impeccable balance, refinement, and freshness.

Harvest is conducted by hand and grapes are carefully sorted on tables and destemmed before being placed in stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Regular pumping-over ensures a gentle extraction of the tannins. After malolactic fermentation, 50% of the wine is transferred into French oak barrels for a period of 12 months, and 50% is placed in concrete vats.

“Labelled as a Mendoza wine because it includes 5% of grapes from Alto Agrelo, this Paraje Altamira-led cuvée marries Malbec with 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Stylishly wooded, detailed and refreshing, thanks to very early picking in a hot year, this is youthful, focused and bright, with capsicum, mint and blackberry fruit and finely judged tannins. 2023-30.” - 93 Points, Tim Atkin

“Elegantly detailed aromas of violet, mace and crushed raspberry pave a nice entry to this richly textured red, which shows fleshy plum and raspberry flavors midpalate, lightened by an underpinning of minerality, before toasty mocha notes and round tannins arrive on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2032. 20,000 cases made, 8,000 cases imported.” - 93 Points, Wine Spectator

“The 2021 Blend Amancaya is 69% Malbec and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon from Altamira & Agrelo, Mendoza, aged 12 months - 50% in French oak barrels and 50% in concrete vats. Dark purple in hue. The fruit-forward nose delivers notes of plums, sour cherry and a faint trace of ash over a layer of oak. Plush and juicy, the balanced flow has finely-grained tannins and a velvety texture. Delicate and savory, it ends with a whiff of thyme.” - 92 Points, Vinous

Producer: Bodegas Caro

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Varietal: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Mendoza

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml