MaJ CappS

8.9

A funky fruit taffy wafts.

¡Felíz día de Muerto!
A classically great value this one is still young and needs some time.
Luscious strawberry / Betty blend, Greek oregano, sharp persimmon, lively on the tongue, and searing lightning acidity.
Always a good purch. — 4 years ago

Meghan Hamilton

Wine Educator Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.3

So smooth and creamy! It tasted just like butterscotch and clove. Meant to be sipped. — 8 years ago

with John

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Again, I did not take notes but remember liking this wine. It was full bodied with lush ripe dark fruit with edgy minerals and a well polished finish. Good but not as special as their El Cerro Gualtallary.

Jeff and his partner make a number of small production wines under a few different brand names. Vivo o Muerto are their ultra premium wines. They both worked at Catena Zapata for 15 years. They gained a lot of valuable experience but, yearned to make their own wines. They’ve found great sites and great fruit grower relationships. Their wines are beautifully elegant and polished with nothing that bites backs.

Photos of Co-owner Jeff Mausbach hosting our tasting and a couple shots of their cellar.

This was our last visit in Argentina. — 7 years ago

Pirom Phadoemchit

8.9

Incense, spicy nose, almost medicinal? Riper than the muerto, more ripe red fruits, good weight, very thin line in being over riped — 9 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Tempranillo. Cool climate, high altitude.

The nose shows ruby, ripe, elegant fruits; blackberries, blue fruits, dark cherries, black raspberries and some strawberries on the edges of the glass. There is a creaminess about the fruits. Some sweet tarry notes, black licorice, light baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, soft elegant spices, dark rich soil and amazingly, beautiful red, blue & purples florals.

The body is rich and full. Gorgeous mouthfeel. The tannins are; soft, round & velvety with fine powder. The fruits are, round, ripe and beautiful; blackberries, blue fruits, dark cherries, black raspberries, touch of black plum and some strawberries. There is a creaminess about the fruits, as well as, some rustic quality from the 20% Tempranillo. Some sweet tarry notes, black licorice, light baking spices, vanilla, cinnamon, soft elegant darker beautiful more pronounced spice on the palate vs. the nose, nice soft herbaceous notes, dark rich soil, some fine dry rock powder and amazingly, beautiful red, blue & purples florals.

Photos of, the cone shaped tanks that Jeff’s (shown in the photo) partner and Winemaker Alejandro invented. The cone shape along with a mess grater the fits up top keeps the cap or hat-sombrero (expression used here) moist. This avoids punch downs creating more elegance and better florals in the wine. Both Jeff & Alejandro worked at Catena Zapata for 15 years before starting their own project. Their partial barrel room and Jeff (Co-Owner) hosting our tasting. This was a excellent visit and bottle to end our producer visits on. Thank you Jeff for all your time, shared knowledge and this bottle for our dinner tonight.

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher
This is the real deal if you can find it. @Shay A
Luis-Parker 96. $50 was the release price. Such a steal. — 7 years ago