Why it matters
The producer
Anabelle Sielecki recruited Roberto de la Mota as Mendel's winemaker. Roberto had studied in Montpellier, France, before fulfilling his dream of owning his own winery through Mendel. De la Mota and the Sielecki family founded Mendel Wines in 2002.
The name came from Anabelle's father, whose first name was Mendel. He arrived in Argentina with nothing and became a successful businessman in different industries. Mendel's vineyards include Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and a small Tempranillo planting.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Mendoza has a desert continental climate, clearly defined seasons and less than 200 millimetres of rainfall each year. Irrigation is necessary. Mendel's vineyards sit between 900 and 1,150 metres in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley.
Altitude can slow ripening after hot days and help preserve acidity in the grapes. The two Mendoza areas give the range different vineyard addresses, from Mayor Drummond in Luján de Cuyo to the more distant Finca Remota property.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Finca Mendel includes 11 hectares of massal selection Malbec planted in 1928, two hectares of Petit Verdot and a small Tempranillo vineyard. Massal selection uses planting material taken from several selected vines instead of relying on one named clone.
Finca de los Andes in Perdriel contains four hectares of Malbec and two hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon. All of these vines are trellised and drip irrigated. Finca Remota contains eight hectares of Malbec, three hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, two hectares of Semillon, two hectares of Cabernet Franc and two hectares of Petit Verdot.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range includes Mendel Malbec 2023, Mendel Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 and Mendel Semillon 2022. Mendel Malbec 2023 is made from 100% Malbec and aged 12 months in oak barrels. Cabernet Sauvignon is the second red wine, while Semillon is the white wine.
The bottles separate the range by grape and colour. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are reds from Mendoza, while Semillon is a white wine with its own floral, herbal and tropical profile.