Chakana Estate Selection Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this delicious, vegan-friendly Malbec from Argentina. After a two year absence, the Yaguarete (Jaguar) of the Uco Valley returned to LCBO VINTAGES on August 21st and is widely available across the province.

It is produced by Chakana Wines, a winery that was founded in 2002, after taking up the family legacy that began in the 19th century when their ancestors made quality wines in the mountainous region of Valtellina in Lombardy, Italy. Chakana is dedicated to studying and understanding some of the best terroirs in Argentina, with the primary goal of producing authentic wines that express the identity and character of its soils. They are located in Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), but also have vineyards in Altamira (Uco Valley), all within Mendoza.

In 2012, Chakana began work to recover and maintain the harmony of its soils by transitioning to organic and biodynamic viticulture. They also produce their wines with minimal intervention, using indigenous yeasts, and favouring the use of porous materials (i.e. concrete without epoxy and barrels) in ageing, in order to preserve the character of the place in the wine. The winemaker is Gabriel Bloise, a member of the new generation of winemakers. Gabriel understands oenology as a means of expressing nature and believes that the best wines are those that do not bear the mark of whoever makes them, but of the places where they are developed.

The last time I tasted this wine was over two years ago when the 2016 Chakana Estate Selection Malbec showed up in VINTAGES in spring 2019. Because of Chakana's constant soil and terroir research, the grapes that make up this Malbec seem to be sourced from different regions each vintage. For the 2019 vintage, this Malbec comes from Gualtallary (Tupungato) and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán), within the Uco Valley, at an altitude of 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) on sandy loam soils with gravels near the surface. The climate is cool and sunny with good diurnal temperatures, but is relatively more humid than other areas of Mendoza. It was aged in used French oak barrels and concrete vats for 12 months. Let's see how this latest Malbec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION MALBEC 2019 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#219261) (XD) - $19.95
100% Malbec from Gualtallary (Tupungato) and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán). Generous aromas of wet earth, game, savoury, and brett are accented with ripe red berry, cherry, floral, and sweet spice notes. On the medium-full bodied palate it has very ripe red fruit and cherry flavours joined by savoury, earthy, and wood notes, supported by fresh, balanced acidity and grainy, textured tannins that are slightly grippy. Tangy with savoury earth notes linger on the finish, with good length. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines by Chakana Wines are available through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.