{"product_id":"don-cristobal-1492-barrel-selection-merlot-2020","title":"Don Cristóbal 1492 Barrel Selection Merlot  – Mendoza Argentine Red Wine| 750 ml ( 6 Bottles )","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA refined expression of Argentine Merlot from the foothills of the Andes. Don Cristóbal 1492 Barrel Selection Merlot 2020 combines ripe red fruit, elegant oak aging, and smooth tannins to create a balanced wine designed for relaxed dinners and memorable gatherings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCrafted in \u003cstrong data-end=\"682\" data-start=\"645\"\u003eUgarteche, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of Argentina’s most historic wine regions, Don Cristóbal 1492 Barrel Selection Merlot reflects the balance and character that high-altitude vineyards bring to this classic varietal.\u003cbr\u003eThe grapes come from the \u003cstrong data-end=\"923\" data-start=\"896\"\u003eLa Santa María vineyard\u003c\/strong\u003e, located at \u003cstrong data-end=\"966\" data-start=\"936\"\u003e935 meters above sea level\u003c\/strong\u003e, where warm days and cool Andean nights allow the fruit to ripen slowly while preserving freshness and aromatic complexity.\u003cbr\u003eHarvested \u003cstrong data-end=\"1148\" data-start=\"1102\"\u003emanually in small 15 kg boxes during March\u003c\/strong\u003e, the grapes undergo careful selection before entering the winery. The winemaking process includes \u003cstrong data-end=\"1296\" data-start=\"1247\"\u003ecold pre-fermentation maceration for six days\u003c\/strong\u003e, followed by controlled fermentation with selected yeasts to extract color, aroma, and structure.\u003cbr\u003eAfter fermentation, the wine completes \u003cstrong data-end=\"1479\" data-start=\"1435\"\u003e100% spontaneous malolactic fermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e, contributing to its smooth texture and round mouthfeel. The wine then ages for \u003cstrong data-end=\"1626\" data-start=\"1560\"\u003e12 months in oak barrels (70% French oak and 30% American oak)\u003c\/strong\u003e, adding subtle layers of vanilla, tobacco, and sweet spice.\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the wine shows a \u003cstrong data-end=\"1766\" data-start=\"1719\"\u003edeep ruby red color with garnet reflections\u003c\/strong\u003e. Aromas reveal \u003cstrong data-end=\"1825\" data-start=\"1782\"\u003eripe red fruits such as cherry and plum\u003c\/strong\u003e, complemented by hints of vanilla, tobacco, and delicate oak spices.\u003cbr\u003eOn the palate, it delivers a \u003cstrong data-end=\"1975\" data-start=\"1925\"\u003efruit-forward attack with soft, mature tannins\u003c\/strong\u003e, balanced acidity, and a \u003cstrong data-end=\"2025\" data-start=\"2001\"\u003elong, velvety finish\u003c\/strong\u003ethat reflects the elegance of Mendoza Merlot.\u003cbr\u003eInternational critics have consistently recognized the quality of this wine, including \u003cstrong data-end=\"2193\" data-start=\"2160\"\u003e90 points from James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-end=\"2260\" data-start=\"2198\"\u003eSilver Medal recognition at the Decanter World Wine Awards\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cstrong data-end=\"2314\" data-start=\"2290\"\u003e100% MERLOT VARIETAL\u003c\/strong\u003e - Produced entirely from Merlot grapes grown in the La Santa María vineyard in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cstrong data-end=\"2443\" data-start=\"2421\"\u003e12 MONTH OAK AGING\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aged in a balanced combination of French and American oak barrels to enhance complexity and structure.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cstrong data-end=\"2579\" data-start=\"2552\"\u003eHIGH ALTITUDE VINEYARDS\u003c\/strong\u003e - Grapes grown at 935 meters above sea level, where Andean climate conditions support balanced ripening.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cstrong data-end=\"2712\" data-start=\"2688\"\u003eRICH FRUIT CHARACTER\u003c\/strong\u003e - Aromas and flavors of cherry, plum, raspberry, and subtle blackberry with notes of vanilla, tobacco, and sweet spice.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cstrong data-end=\"2874\" data-start=\"2836\"\u003eINTERNATIONAL CRITICAL RECOGNITION\u003c\/strong\u003e - Rated 90 points by James Suckling and awarded Silver Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards.\u003cbr\u003e• \u003cstrong data-end=\"2999\" data-start=\"2974\"\u003eSMOOTH VELVETY FINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e - Medium-to-full body with mature tannins and balanced acidity for a refined drinking experience.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis wine is ideal for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArgentine wine lovers looking to explore Mendoza Merlot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArgentines abroad wanting to reconnect with wines from home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWine enthusiasts discovering premium South American reds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone looking for a structured, oak-aged red wine for dinner or special occasions\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eFor the best experience:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3206\" data-start=\"3169\"\u003eServe between \u003cstrong data-end=\"3204\" data-start=\"3183\"\u003e16–18°C (60–64°F)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3274\" data-start=\"3209\"\u003eAllow the wine to breathe for \u003cstrong data-end=\"3256\" data-start=\"3239\"\u003e20–30 minutes\u003c\/strong\u003e before drinking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3354\" data-start=\"3277\"\u003ePair with \u003cstrong data-end=\"3354\" data-start=\"3287\"\u003egrilled steak, slow-cooked meats, roasted lamb, or aged cheeses\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3462\" data-start=\"3356\"\u003eIts structure and oak integration also allow the wine to \u003cstrong data-end=\"3461\" data-start=\"3413\"\u003edevelop further complexity with bottle aging\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Don Cristóbal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"3865\" data-start=\"3862\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Line:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1492 Barrel Selection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"3903\" data-start=\"3900\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVarietal: \u003c\/strong\u003e100% Merlot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"3943\" data-start=\"3940\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003eUgarteche, Luján de Cuyo – Mendoza, Argentina\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"3999\" data-start=\"3996\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard: \u003c\/strong\u003eLa Santa María\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4026\" data-start=\"4023\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAltitude:\u003c\/strong\u003e 935 meters above sea level\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4065\" data-start=\"4062\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlcohol: \u003c\/strong\u003e14% ABV\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4084\" data-start=\"4081\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.7 g\/L\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4103\" data-start=\"4100\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.65\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4114\" data-start=\"4111\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResidual Sugar:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5 g\/L (dry)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4146\" data-start=\"4143\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOak Aging:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 months (70% French oak \/ 30% American oak)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4205\" data-start=\"4202\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBody: \u003c\/strong\u003eMedium to full\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4228\" data-start=\"4225\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750 ml\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"4250\" data-start=\"4247\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAging Potential:\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 7–8 years\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eEnjoy responsibly. Alcoholic beverages are intended for adults of legal drinking age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bodega Don Cristobal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46664235745455,"sku":"PAK-001-756-09600","price":918.63,"currency_code":"ILS","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/8008\/8751\/files\/CristobalMerlosmain.png?v=1773082908","url":"https:\/\/thaargentino.com\/en-il\/products\/don-cristobal-1492-barrel-selection-merlot-2020","provider":"The Argentino","version":"1.0","type":"link"}