Caro

CARO, from CAtena and ROthschild, has a strong Argentine identity, characterized by the Malbec grape, which is given further elegance and complexity through blending with Cabernet Sauvignon. The combination produces a voluptuous, refined wine with a harmonious balance between the wine’s Argentinian identity and its Bordeaux style.

Winemaker notes

2020: The nose reveals aromas of black fruit such as blackcurrant and blueberry. On the palate, the wine exhibits excellent balance, soft tannins confer its elegant structure and persistent freshness contributes to the harmonious finish.

2020

James Suckling 94: Deep and ripe nose with plenty of ripe blackberries, cedar and black truffles. A hint of black pepper, too. Plush and generous on the palate with plenty of sweet fruit. Tannins are really tight and compact with a long, focused finish. Has the warm-vintage ripeness but it retains freshness.

Vinous 95: The 2020 Blend Caro is 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from Altamira, Gualtallary in Mendoza. It was aged for 18 months in DBR cooperage from Pauillac, 80% in first-use barrels and the rest in 4000-liter foudres. Dark purple in the glass. The nose features cassis and plum notes in a cedar frame, with ash and mint hints. Dry with firm tannins and a juicy flow, the intense mouthfeel and rich palate create a long-lasting, ripe finish. The 2020 is an unusually nuanced wine for a warm vintage.

Decanter 94: Violet-red in the glass, the nose offers ripe black fruit, hints of figs, quince and subtle smoky notes. On the palate, it's opulent and flavourful with compact tannins that lead into a long, persistent finish. Due to the dry, warm summer, the 2020 vintage posed a challenge that Bodegas Caro successfully navigated by incorporating, for the first time, grapes from San Pablo, a cold location at 1,400m above sea levelin the Uco Valley. A blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, Caro 2020 was aged for 18 months in barrel.

2021

Decanter 97: Caro 2021 is a refined, vigorous wine. It delivers cherry, berries such as redcurrants and blackberries and graphite, balanced by a layer of spice and oak. Expansive in the mouth, with a rich, refreshing acidity midway through, it transitions sharply to a savoury finish with fine, polished tannins. A blend of 79% Malbec with 21% Cabernet Sauvignon from three prominent terroirs in the Uco Valley – Paraje Altamira, San Pablo and Gualtallary. Aged for 18 months in barrels from DBR Lafite's Tonnellerie des Domaines in Pauillac, Right now, it’s very pleasant paired with braised red meat.

Wine Enthusiast 93: Aged 18 months in barrels, this Malbec-based blend has a balanced character and displays notes of mint and thyme on the nose. It has layers of fruit and herbs, with notes of chocolate. Firm tannins and good acidity drive flavors of plum, blackberry, thyme and peppercorn through a delicious finish.

Tim Atkin 97: “I like 2021 a lot,” says Philippe Rolet and he’s done it justice here. Pairing Malbec and 21% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Uco Valley sub-regions of Gualtallary, Paraje Altamira and San Pablo, it’s a lightly wooded, layered, effortlessly complex delight that’s driven by limestonederived zip and freshness. Focused, detailed, mineral and elegant, it has cassis, red berry and blackberry fruit and a fine, persistent finish. One of the wines of the vintage. 2025-35