94-Points by James Suckling.
The 2021 Malbec Don Nicanor Barrel Select comes from the Uco Valley and was half-aged for 12 months in 15% new French oak barrels. Generous, tasty oak spices are deftly woven between layers of blackberries, black olives and dark figs, all nestled in warm, velvety tannins for a rich but soft texture. Big but friendly.
 
OUR HISTORY
In 1888, a group of Italian immigrants buried their hands in the land of Vistalba, Luján de Cuyo, the area of Mendoza that gave rise to Argentine viticulture. There they built our iconic colonial-style house, planted vineyards that are part of our current Finca Villa Blanca, and founded a new winery.
In 1969, the Nieto and Senetiner families acquired the estate, expanded the facilities and consolidated a presence that had already become unavoidable in the history of great Argentine wines.
In 1998, Nieto Senetiner became part of Molinos Río de la Plata, one of the leading food and beverage companies in the country. Committed to the highest standards of winemaking and quality, it has consolidated its leadership by developing a portfolio of recognized brands.
 
 
Valle de Uco (Uco Valley), Mendoza — what it is
Valle de Uco is one of Mendoza’s most important wine areas, sitting southwest of Mendoza city along/near the Andes foothills. As a wine GI, it’s an inter-jurisdictional zone made up of the departments Tupungato, Tunuyán, and San Carlos.
Why it’s famous:
High elevation + dry mountain climate are the headline: vineyards commonly sit around 900–1,500 m (and some plantings push higher), bringing cooler temperatures, strong sunlight, and big day–night temperature swings that help grapes keep fresh acidity while still ripening.
Terroir
Soils: Much of Valle de Uco is built from alluvial material washed down from the Andes—think stones, sand/silt, and in many places calcium carbonate/limestone influence. That combination is a big driver of the “mineral / chalky / structural” feel people talk about in top Uco wines.
Water: It’s very arid, so irrigation (often from Andean meltwater systems) is fundamental.
Subregions and the names you see on labels
Valle de Uco is the umbrella; within it are smaller Geographical Indications (GIs) that signal more specific terroirs.
Commonly referenced Uco GIs include:
Gualtallary (Tupungato)
Paraje Altamira (San Carlos)
Los Chacayes (Tunuyán)
…and others like San Pablo, Vista Flores, El Peral, El Cepillo, San Pablo, etc., which critics often discuss when mapping “micro-terroirs.”
Grapes and wine styles you can expect
Malbec: Uco’s signature—often more lifted aromatically, firmer/straighter structure, and brighter acidity than many warmer Mendoza zones.
Cabernet Franc: A standout in modern Uco Valley—frequently herbal/floral, fresh, and structured (one reason it’s surged in prestige alongside Malbec).
Chardonnay (and other whites): High sites are increasingly prized for tense, focused whites (often with a mineral edge), not just reds.