Susana Balbo Nosotros

Susana Balbo Nosotros is a barrel-selected 100% Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina, bottled at approximately 14–14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 99 points from James Suckling, this wine stands among Argentina's most critically acclaimed Malbecs, drawn from only the top 40 barrels chosen each vintage by the winery's enologists.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14–14.5% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina  |  Varietal: 100% Malbec  |  Winery: Susana Balbo Wines

Production & Heritage

Susana Balbo — often recognized as Argentina's first female enologist — founded her eponymous winery in Luján de Cuyo, one of Mendoza's most prized Malbec-growing districts. The Nosotros Malbec is fermented in a 6,500-liter oak vat using indigenous yeasts, with an extended maceration of 30 to 35 days to extract deep color and structured tannins. After fermentation, the wine is matured for 16 months in French oak barrels, approximately 80% of which are new. The defining step comes at the end of aging: only the best 40 barrels are selected by the enological team, making Nosotros a true barrel selection and the pinnacle of the Susana Balbo portfolio.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with minty blackberries and black sour cherries before deepening into cassis, cigar leaf, and stony minerality. Floral top notes — violet especially — weave through the darker fruit layers, lending complexity without heaviness.

Taste: Entry is full-bodied and juicy, with concentrated blueberry and blackberry fruit that fills the mid-palate. Spicy undertones emerge alongside vibrant acidity, keeping the wine balanced despite its density. Broad-shouldered, fine-grained tannins provide impressive structure without austerity.

Finish: The finish is remarkably persistent, with lingering cassis, dark chocolate, and a subtle mineral thread. Tannins taper slowly, leaving a polished, almost velvety close.

How to Drink Nosotros Malbec

This is primarily a wine to pour neat in a large-bowled red wine glass at around 16–18°C (61–64°F); decanting for 30 to 60 minutes allows the layered aromatics to fully open. For a red-wine cocktail approach, Nosotros works well in a Kalimotxo variation using a high-quality cola for a casual twist on a serious wine, in a classic Sangria where its dark berry intensity anchors the fruit blend without disappearing, or in a New York Sour floated over a whiskey sour base, where its deep color and acidity create a striking visual and flavor contrast.

Best For

• Gifting a serious wine collector who appreciates Argentine Malbec
• Anchoring a steak dinner or asado-themed gathering
• Celebrating a milestone anniversary or career achievement
• Building a cellar with age-worthy South American selections

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Nosotros Malbec taste like? Nosotros Malbec delivers concentrated dark berries — blueberry, cassis, and blackberry — layered with spice, cigar leaf, and minerality, supported by fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. It is full-bodied yet maintains freshness and poise throughout.

How does Nosotros Malbec compare to Catena Zapata Malbec? Both wines are benchmark Argentine Malbecs from Mendoza, but Nosotros is a strict barrel selection (top 40 barrels per vintage) aged in a high proportion of new French oak, giving it a more concentrated and polished profile. Catena Zapata's flagship Malbec draws from high-altitude estate vineyards and tends toward a slightly more lifted, altitude-driven character.

Is Nosotros Malbec good for cellaring? Yes — its structured tannins, layered fruit, and bright acidity give it strong aging potential, and the barrel-selection process ensures only the most age-worthy lots are bottled. Most vintages should develop well for 10 to 15 years under proper storage conditions.

Where is Nosotros Malbec made? Nosotros Malbec is produced by Susana Balbo Wines in the Luján de Cuyo district of Mendoza, Argentina. Luján de Cuyo is one of Mendoza's oldest and most respected wine-growing areas, renowned for high-quality Malbec.

What foods pair well with Nosotros Malbec? Grilled ribeye steak benefits from the wine's tannin structure and dark fruit weight. Braised short ribs echo its savory depth. Aged Gouda or Manchego provide a nutty counterpoint to the berry concentration. Lamb chops with herb crust complement its spice and minerality. Dark chocolate desserts harmonize with its cocoa-toned finish.

What sizes does Nosotros Malbec come in? Nosotros Malbec is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Nosotros Malbec worth the price? Nosotros positions as an ultra-premium expression within the Susana Balbo range and within Argentine Malbec broadly. With a 99-point James Suckling score and a production process limited to only 40 selected barrels per vintage, it competes favorably against other top-tier Argentine Malbecs at similar price points.

Why Nosotros Malbec?

The barrel-selection process is the defining factor here: out of all the French oak barrels maturing in the Susana Balbo cellar, only 40 are deemed worthy of the Nosotros label each year. That selectivity has earned critical recognition including 99 points from James Suckling, 94 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, and 96 points from Patricio Tapia at Descorchados. The extended 30- to 35-day maceration with indigenous yeasts produces a wine of genuine complexity rather than simple extraction, and the high proportion of new French oak integrates seamlessly thanks to the fruit concentration underneath. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking the upper tier of Argentine Malbec, Nosotros represents one of the most consistently acclaimed options available.