There are wines built around power, and others built around precision. Las Notas de Jean Claude belongs to the latter.
This limited-production Bordeaux blend comes from Tapiz’s high-altitude San Pablo estate in the Uco Valley, where the vineyards rise to approximately 4,430 feet at the foot of the Andes. Merlot forms the heart of the wine, supported by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
Las Notas was created by Tapiz winemaker Fabian Valenzuela alongside Jean-Claude Berrouet, the celebrated Bordeaux winemaker responsible for 44 vintages at Château Pétrus. Their approach brings together the ripeness and intensity of Mendoza fruit with the restraint, structure and detail associated with classical Bordeaux winemaking.
The 2020 opens with red plum, raspberry and cassis, followed by layers of black fruit, wild mountain herbs, truffle, tobacco and black pepper. Time in French oak adds restrained notes of coffee, dark chocolate, cinnamon and smoke. The palate is concentrated but composed, with fine, polished tannins and a remarkably persistent finish.
Only 400 cases were produced.
Tasting notes
Appearance: Deep, dark red.
Nose: Raspberry, cassis, ripe plum and black fruit, layered with truffle, wild herbs, tobacco, dry earth and delicate spice.
Palate: Concentrated and finely structured, with polished tannins, generous fruit and well-integrated notes of coffee, dark chocolate, black pepper and cinnamon.
Finish: Long, refined and persistent, with fruit, spice and earthy complexity continuing after each sip.
Food pairings
Serve with grilled or roasted beef, rack of lamb, duck breast, braised short ribs, wild mushrooms or aged hard cheeses. Its combination of ripe fruit and polished structure also makes it an excellent match for an Argentine asado.
Serving and cellaring
Serve at approximately 60–65°F / 16–18°C. Decanting for around one hour is recommended if drinking now. Wine Enthusiast suggests a drinking window through 2035.
Critical acclaim
96 Points – James Suckling
Praised for its tobacco, white-truffle, plum and berry character, as well as its polished tannins, refinement and exceptionally persistent finish. Named among James Suckling’s Top 100 Wines of Argentina 2024.
95 Points – Wine Enthusiast
Recognized for its red-plum, licorice, smoke and mountain-herb character, with fine tannins and layers of red fruit, earth, black pepper and dark chocolate. Selected as a Top 100 Wine of the Year.
95 Points – Vinous
Highlighted for its ripe black fruit, wild herbs, tobacco, black pepper, spice and subtle laurel notes.
About Tapiz
Tapiz is located in the San Pablo Geographic Indication of Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Under the ownership of Patricia Ortiz, the winery helped develop San Pablo’s reputation as one of Argentina’s distinctive high-altitude wine regions.
Its estate vineyards sit close to the Andes, benefiting from elevation, cool conditions and varied soils. The vineyards are sustainably farmed, and the grapes for Las Notas are harvested by hand. Tapiz’s winemaking team is led by Fabian Valenzuela, working with Bordeaux consultant Jean-Claude Berrouet.
The name Tapiz means “tapestry” in Spanish, reflecting the many elements woven together in each wine: altitude, soil, sunlight, fruit and the people who cultivate the vineyards.
