Ben Marco Cabernet Sauvignon

Ben Marco Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza's Uco Valley in a 750ml bottle. Scored 92 points by Vinous, this wine stands apart through its high-altitude, minimal-intervention approach to showcasing the rocky terroir of the Los Árboles subzone in Tunuyán.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Origin: Los Árboles, Tunuyán, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina  |  Aged 11 Months in French Barrels  |  Winery: Dominio del Plata

Production & Heritage

Dominio del Plata was founded in 1999 by Susana Balbo, one of Argentina's most respected winemakers and the first woman to graduate as an enologist from the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Ben Marco — named after her son — represents the winery's dedication to site-specific, terroir-driven winemaking. The fruit comes exclusively from Los Árboles, a subzone in the Tunuyán department of Valle de Uco, characterized by extremely rocky topsoil over sandy subsoil with excellent drainage. The wine is aged for 11 months in French oak barrels under a minimal-intervention philosophy, allowing the vineyard character to emerge without heavy winemaking imprint. This geological profile translates directly into the wine's bright acidity, persistent flavors, and mineral-tinged structure.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Expressive redcurrant and cassis open the nose, followed by layers of dried herbs, paprika, and gentle roasted red pepper. A cool whiff of menthol runs underneath, adding freshness and aromatic complexity.

Taste: The entry is bright and focused, with currant and plum fruit carrying through a well-defined mid-palate. Peppery spice and herbal notes build toward the peak, balanced by juicy acidity that keeps the wine lively. The body is medium, with a firm tannic framework that provides structure without overwhelming the fruit.

Finish: The finish is bold and flavorful, with reactive, gripping tannins that linger with real persistence. Traces of cassis, dried herbs, and a subtle mineral edge carry through to a long, defined close.

How to Drink Ben Marco

This Cabernet rewards patient drinking — pour it into a large-bowled glass and let it breathe for 20 to 30 minutes before the first sip. It drinks well at cool room temperature, around 16–18°C, and a brief decant opens the aromatic layers further. In cocktails, Cabernet Sauvignon is unconventional but not without precedent: a Cabernet Sangria with fresh stone fruit and citrus lets the wine's herbal spice shine; a New York Sour substituting this wine as the red wine float adds tannic grip and berry depth; and a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) becomes surprisingly elegant with the wine's acidity and firm structure cutting through the sweetness.

Best For

• Exploring high-altitude Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon from a specific terroir
• Pairing with a weekend Argentine-style asado or grilled red meats
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates South American winemaking
• Building a collection of Uco Valley expressions from respected producers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ben Marco Cabernet Sauvignon taste like? It delivers bright currant and plum flavors layered with paprika, herbs, and peppery spice, all supported by firm, gripping tannins and juicy acidity. The overall impression balances ripeness and power with notable elegance and definition.

How does Ben Marco compare to Catena Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from high-altitude Mendoza vineyards, but Ben Marco tends toward a more site-specific, minimal-intervention style from the Los Árboles subzone in Uco Valley. Catena's Cabernet draws from multiple estate vineyards across Mendoza, often producing a rounder, more fruit-forward profile, while Ben Marco leans into mineral structure and herbal complexity.

Is Ben Marco good for sipping on its own? Yes — the wine's layered aromatics, balanced acidity, and persistent finish make it well-suited for drinking neat with some time to breathe in the glass or a decanter.

Where is Ben Marco made? Ben Marco Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Dominio del Plata, the winery founded by Susana Balbo in Mendoza, Argentina. The grapes are sourced from the Los Árboles subzone of Tunuyán in the Valle de Uco, one of Mendoza's most acclaimed high-altitude wine regions.

What foods pair well with Ben Marco Cabernet Sauvignon? Grilled Argentine-style steak (asado) is a natural match, as the tannins cut through the charred fat. Lamb chops with rosemary echo the wine's herbal character. Aged cheddar or Manchego complement its firm structure. Empanadas with spiced beef mirror the peppery, paprika-laced profile. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage works alongside the cassis and mineral finish.

What sizes does Ben Marco come in? Ben Marco Cabernet Sauvignon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Ben Marco worth the price? Ben Marco positions as a mid-range Argentine Cabernet Sauvignon that punches above its weight — the 92-point Vinous score, single-subzone sourcing from Uco Valley, and 11 months of French oak aging represent strong value relative to comparable wines at higher price tiers.

Why Ben Marco?

What earns Ben Marco its reputation is the specificity of its source: Los Árboles is not a generic Mendoza vineyard but a distinct, rocky, high-drainage site in the Uco Valley that imprints a clear mineral and structural signature on the wine. The 92-point score from Vinous confirms the quality of a wine made with minimal intervention by one of Argentina's pioneering winemakers. Susana Balbo's track record — spanning decades of shaping Argentine wine's international profile — lends credibility that extends well beyond marketing. For anyone seeking a Cabernet Sauvignon that reflects a specific place rather than a generic regional style, Ben Marco delivers authentic Uco Valley character with real definition.