Lujan de Cuyo is known historically as the prime zone for wine-growing in Mendoza. Its high altitude location at around 2,500 feet, in combination with a semi-desert climate and low-nutrient stony soils provide ideal conditions for cultivation of high quality fruit.Inky, dense violet in color, this Malbec offers a fine balance of poise and power. The nose brims with raspberries, anise, cherries and black pepper notes while in the mouth, the full-bodied impression carries flavors of cassis, red licorice, figs and hints of smoke. A long finish leaves the mouth enveloped in big, chewy tannins.From James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 10/29/08:90 points. Dark and muscular, with a nice loamy undertow to the braised fig, melted black licorice and raspberry ganache notesFrom Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate, 12/31/08:94 pts. It offers up an alluring nose of cedar, tobacco, spice box, cola, and black cherry. This is followed by a full-bodied, layered smooth-textured wine with gobs of fruit already revealing considerable complexity. The wine has superb depth, concentration and length. It can be enjoyed now but should easily last for another decade.