2018 Bodegas Caro Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon

Caro is made with the same attention to detail as Lafite’s Bordeaux Grands Crus. A blend of 76% Malbec and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon matured for 18 months in barrels coopered by Lafite Rothschild.

Magnificent inky black heart with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Sailing through the nostrils are intense blackcurrant and dark plum aromas which are trailed by liquorice, dried herb, vanillin cedar, earthy tobacco and spice notes. Rich, concentrated and powerful the full bodied palate is engulfed with opulent blackcurrant, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Vanillin cedar, dried herb and spicy tobacco characters lend further nuance along with some subtle earth. Ripe polished tannin structure. Voluminous and deeply fruited it none the less manages to show a sense of refinement through the long finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Beautiful, complete aromas of currants, sweet tobacco and iodine with some crushed cement, following through to a medium to full body with fine, linear tannins and a chewy finish that lasts a long time. Finesse with structure. Give it two or three years to soften. Try after 2022.
95 points
JamesSuckling.com

Subtle, graceful and perfumed, this carries its structure and concentration lightly, with graphite, cassis and blueberry fruit, fresh acidity and harmonious, caressing tannins. Superb stuff. It combines the considerable talents of Fernando Buscema and Philippe Rolet (the former made the wine, the latter did the blend), and Caro was one of the finest wines of the 2018 vintage. Paraje Altamira is the source of this finely judged cuvée of 76% Malbec and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 80% new wood. Drink 2023-2033.
98 points
Tim Atkin MW - Decanter

Made by the Catena Zapata and Rothschild families with grapes from Paraje Altamira, Caro 2018 is an exquisite assemblage of 76% Malbec and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in barrels made by Domaine Rothschild in Pauillac. Thanks to an excellent season, offers extraordinary elegance with its aromas of dark fruit, mountain herbs, violets and lavender. Velvety in feel with an inviting texture, good freshness and polished tannins. Drink 2022-2030.
96 points
Alejandro Iglesias – Decanter

The harmonious, classical and elegant 2018 Caro was produced with 76% Malbec and 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the two grapes feel very integrated and complementary of each other. It has a very classical vinification and élevage in French barrique for 18 months. The oak is neatly integrated and folded into the fruit, the nose is complex, clean and elegant and the palate reveals a velvety texture with juicy fruit and round tannins. It should integrate the notes from the barrel with a little more time in bottle. 45,600 bottles and 1,250 magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2020. Drink 2022-2028.
94 points
Luis Gutiérrez – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate