El Esteco Blend de Extremos Malbec 2021 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely, high-altitude Malbec from Argentina. This new arrival landed at the LCBO recently as part of the December 17 LCBO VINTAGES Release. (Although the VINTAGES magazine and LCBO website may list 2020, it's actually the 2021 vintage that arrived in stores.)

It is produced by El Esteco, a pioneering institution founded in 1892 that was one of the first in Argentina to master the art of viticulture and winemaking. They are situated in northwestern Argentina in the heart of the Calchaquí Valleys - a hidden treasure in the summit of the world and a gem in the world of winemaking. With nearly 1,000 acres of vineyards, El Esteco condenses all the spirit of the region in their fruit. El Esteco also stands at an ideal elevation of more than 1,700 metres (5,500 feet) above sea level and benefits from ever-present sunshine and a perfect diurnal temperature range, an environment that is perfect for the creation of fine wines. El Esteco is surrounded by vineyards and housed in a 100-year-old, iconic vallisto Spanish colonial-style building, while inside the winery they have the latest wine production technologies such as concrete containers, stainless steel tanks, and French and American oak barrels, all of which allow them to craft wines of diverse styles, aromas, and flavours.

This red wine is from their Blend de Extremos range of wines that aim to perfect the balance between two different expressions of the Calchaquí Valley - the Cafayate with its potent base and characteristics, and Chañar Punco, an exclusive region with highly valued vines that pours its virtues into its wines. Blend de Extremos wines are an adventure that merges the best of two extreme regions.

The Malbec in this wine comes from Finca La Maravilla in Cafayate, which situated at 1,700 metres above sea level, and Finca Chañar Punco which is situated even higher at 2,000 metres above sea level. In Cafayate, the broad temperature range is marked by warm days and cold nights, allowing for the development of ripe berries that condense all the best that the region has to offer. The desert climate and soils, which are poor in organic matter, help define the unique terroir in Cafayate, allowing El Esteco to produce distinct wines with great concentration of colour, deep aromas and well-defined flavours.

Chañar Punco is a a hidden treasure at the top of the world. A unique sub-region surrounded by the Quilmes Mountains, Chañar Punco is located in the southwest of the Calchaquí Valley and has poor, rocky, and calcareous soils combined with the scarce heat load and radiation in the months prior to harvest, thus allowing the grapes to slowly develop its maximum expression. The vineyards in Chañar Punco run north-south, allowing moderate winds from the north to improve the microclimate of the canopy, while distilled water is pumped deep from the soil, along with drip irrigation to hydrate the vines. Let's see how this Malbec from Calchaquí Valleys is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL ESTECO BLEND DE EXTREMOS MALBEC 2021 - Valles Calchaquíes, Argentina (#24863) (XD) - $18.95
Screw cap. This unoaked Malbec from Cafayate and Chañar Punco has a funky, reductive nose off the top, revealing dark berry, plum, black and blueberry and subtle white pepper spice aromas. It's medium+ bodied with spicy flavours of dark berry, blackberry, blueberry, and dried herb, with some mineral notes, all backed by fresh, balanced acidity and smooth, refined tannins that have a subtle chalky grip. Minerally with subtle spice and dried herb notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by El Esteco can be ordered through their Agent - Dandurand.