Keeping it in the family with Falasco Wines
Falasco Family History
From humble beginnings, the Falasco Family story is an impressive and inspiring one. Arriving along a well-trodden path from his native Italy in 1939, Octavio Falasco started a wine business in the small town of Chacabuco outside Buenos Aires. Sourcing wines from Mendoza, his son Haroldo began selling wine from demijohns on his bicycle to the thirsty local population. The business was a huge success, seeing the family leave the eastern side of Argentina and head to Mendoza to buy up vineyards in order to have more control over production.
The Falasco Family Today
Fast forward and the Falasco family own a number of vineyards throughout Mendoza’s premium wine regions, including Uco Valley and Maipu. The winery is based in the town of San Martín, some 15 miles to the Southeast of central Mendoza. Whilst the company has grown immensely and is one of the country’s largest and most respected companies, one factor has never changed: family. Franco, the fourth generation of Falasco, still retains complete control throughout the whole decision-making process at the winery.
Hermandad – Brotherhood
It is this family union that is celebrated in the latest releases from Falasco Family Wines. The Hermandad range is a nod to this current fourth Falasco generation, the siblings of Florencia, Fausto, Franco and Francesco. Hermandad translates as brotherhood and represents the work and new insights and inspiration that this generation is bringing to the company. Interestingly the siblings’ personalities have been aligned to the grapes found in the red blend all sourced from high-altitude vineyards in the Uco Valley!
Falasco Wines
Florencia represents the Malbec for its fruit, friendliness and elegant tannins. The Malbec is sourced from Los Arboles and Vista Flores, in Tunuyán.
Franco represents the Cabernet Sauvignon for its character and wild, unique style. The Cabernet is sourced from Paraje Altamira in San Carlos.
Fausto represents the Merlot, great variety for blends. Sourced from Vista Flores and Los Chacayes in the Tunuyán region.
Francesco represents the Petit Verdot for its elegance and silkiness. Sourced from Tunuyán, Los Árboles district.
Hermandad Blend Valle de Uco
(Malbec, Cab Merlot, Petit Verdot)
2018 14.5% 91 points £21.99rrp
Ripe cherry and dark berry nose. The palate is deeply structured with ripe chalky tannins and oak-led vanilla notes as well as dark berries, violet and cassis. Rich and opulent – this will age well and has plentiful vanilla oak to integrate over the coming years.
Another new addition to the Hermandad range is the 2019 Fausto, Old Vines Malbec. Sourced from vines of around 30 years old in the stunning Vista Flores in Uco Valley at 1,200 m.a.s.l. Elevage takes place in both American and French oak, 70% of which are new. This is a traditional, full throttle Malbec that really speaks of its place.
Fausto Malbec Hermandad
2019 91 points £17.99rrp
Damson and dark fruits, roasted figs and some oaky notes. A weighty palate with cool mint, herbs and dark fruits. Cocoa, bitter chocolate – and a good density of fruit. Good length and weight of fruit with vanilla, clove and cedary oak spice. Traditional, weighty and truly evokes its place.
A sub-label of the Hermandad label, is the Winemakers Series. These wines are only made in years that are deemed of sufficiently high quality. Falasco Wines’ first ever Pinot Noir release was in 2019. Sourced from the famed Los Chacayes vineyards, this is an impressive debut. Elevage takes place in second-use French oak barrels for 9 months, lending an elegance and structure to the wine.
Hermandad Winemaker Series Falasco
Pinot Noir Uco Valley
2019 91 Points £21.99rrp
Impressive first attempt at Pinot Noir! Earthy, red berries and tobacco leaf. A richly textured mid-palate with good levels of fresh acidity to balance it nicely. The tannins are fine and tightly tuned and lead to a clean raspberry-drenched finish. Well-balanced oaking complements the structure here.
As a set of wines, these are what I would call traditional and respectful wines. Made with precision and care, and with a definitive sense of place. I also very much like the innovative and engaging packaging. They make a great addition to the Condor portfolio – showing the increasingly diverse wines that Mendoza is capable of producing, while retaining its unique sense of place.
Written by Alistair Cooper MW
