Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Leading up to Malbec World Day celebrations on April 17th, tonight's wine review is this delicious Malbec from Paraje Altamira that first arrived at the VINTAGES late last year (with bottles still available), and a new shipment arriving later this month as part of the April 30th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Susana Balbo is Argentina's first female winemaker and after almost two decades dedicating her talent to national and international companies in the wine business working as a consultant, in 1999 she founded her namesake wine brand and the Dominio del Plata winery in the heart of Lujàn de Cuyo, Mendoza. Some of Susana's many accomplishments include being elected by her industry peers as the first President of Wines of Argentina, and also chairing the Buenos Aires W20 summit - a group within the G20 organization that promotes gender equity in the world's 20 leading economies. With a pioneering spirit and innovative winemaking, Susana continues to the push limits searching for uncharted territory in the wine world. In 2011 and 2012, Susana was joined by her son José and daughter Ana. Together, the Balbo family continues to focus on environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

This red wine is from Susana's Signature range of wines that captures her ultimate expression as a winemaker by creating bold wines with artistic finesse. The Signature range highlights Susana's breadth of winemaking expertise, while her approach is to seamlessly apply her human touch to enhance the grape's character and preserve all elements of terroir.

The Signature Malbec is actually a blend of 96% Malbec and 4% Merlot with the grapes coming from Susana's favourite vineyard - Finca La Delfina. This vineyard, which is also named after her mother, is located in the high altitude winegrowing region of Paraje Altamira at 1,250 metres (4,100 feet) above sea level, in the Uco Valley. The grapes were hand-harvested, fermented with selected yeasts, spent some time on lees with battonages. The wine was aged for 13 months in 70% second-use and 30% new French oak.

Across Argentina, the 2019 vintage is receiving rave reviews as a chilly spring with cool breezes kept frost and disease mostly at bay. Summer was hot and dry, particularly in Mendoza where temperatures regularly reached 40 degrees Celsius. Noticeably cooler temperatures at the tail-end of summer preserved acidity and aromatics. Harvest was mostly smooth and grape quality was excellent. The 2019 vintage is described as one for the history books, so let's see how this 2019 Malbec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2019 - Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#79798) (XD) - $20.95
Blend of 96% Malbec and 4% Merlot, the fresh, medium+ intensity nose is wood spiced with vanilla surrounding a core of red and black fruit, black cherry, plum, and violet with hints of dried herb and florals emerging with time in the glass. It's full-bodied and quite tangy on the dry palate with black cherry, plum, and violet flavours, turning savoury and woody on the back palate. It has fresh, juicy acids and elegant, smooth, and supple tannins with just a touch of grip. Savoury, earthy, and wood spiced on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines my Susana Balbo are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent -Profile Wine Group.

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Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Malbec 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Continuing my journey towards Malbec Word Day which is being celebrated globally this Sunday, April 17th, tonight's red wine review is this lovely Malbec from Mendoza that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the April 16th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by Nieto Senetiner, a winery that was founded in 1888 by Don Nicanor and a group of Italian immigrants in the town of Vistalba in the Luján de Cuyo region of Mendoza. The families planted their first vines and shared their winemaking secrets with each other, while also sharing their love of nature, respect for terroir, and the value of patience.

In 1969, the Nieto and Senetiner families acquired the estate and started the next chapter of producer's story of growth and development by expanding the facilities and consolidating their presence in the marketplace. In 1998, Nieto Senetiner became part of the Pérez Companc family group of wineries. With a commitment to high standards of winemaking and quality, and backed by continual investments in both the vineyards and technology, Nieto Senetiner continues to evolve and grow without losing its a noble origins.

Today, Nieto Senetiner combines tradition with artisanal winemaking and technology to create their fine wines. Nieto Senetiner has three estate vineyards - Finca Las Tortugas in Agrelo, Finca Las Toracazas in Alto Agrelo, and their original estate vineyard Finca Villa Blanca in Vistalba which is home to vines planted in 1900. Let's see how this Malbec from Mendoza is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

NIETO SENETINER DON NICANOR MALBEC 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#178657) (XD) - $16.95
100% Malbec from Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, and was aged for 12 months in French oak. The medium-high intensity nose is quite attractive with violets, ripe black fruit, blackberry, spice, and dark plums with subtle mineral notes rising out of the glass. On the dry, chewy, medium-full bodied palate it has salty mineral and peppery spice notes that join the black fruit, blackberry, and violet flavours. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, while the salty, smooth, and fine-grained tannins have a pleasant, slightly chalky textured grip. Minerally and slightly chalky on the finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Some bottles of their lovely 2019 Nieto Senetiner Semillon are available at the LCBO, while other wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Sylvestre Wines & Spirits.

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April 16, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: California

Wines from California is the theme of the upcoming April 16, 2022 LCBO VINTAGES Release. Also coming in this release is April's monthly selection of Online Exclusives (OE) that will be available online only at lcbo.com.

We begin with the theme titled "State of Grace" that focuses on the elegant and refined wines of California that are loved the world over. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are generally two grapes that first come to mind when thinking about California wines, and of the thirteen wines featured in the theme, the two wines that are included among my top wine picks are made with these two varietals. The first wine is an excellent Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, while the other wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon made with fruit from Sonoma County and Contra Costa County. Not part of the theme, but a great wine coming as an Online Exclusive is the excellent Fumé Blanc which is a blend of 93% Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Semillon that was barrel-fermented in French oak.

Italy is showing strong in this release with five of my red wine picks coming from this old world wine region. From Tuscany, the Super Tuscan Crognolo is a blend of 90% ancient Sangiovese clone and 10% Merlot, while the Montecucco consists of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Ciliegiolo, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. From the Chianti Classico DOCG, the Riserva is 100% Sangiovese, while the Gran Selezione should be mostly Sangiovese with some Merlot. The last wine from Italy is a Nero d'Avola from Sicily, while the Crozes-Hermitage from northern Rhône in France is crafted with Syrah.

From my white wine recommendations, there are no blends and single varietal wines include an organic Soave that is made with 100% Garganega, while the Chablis is an unoaked Chardonnay. Wines that spent some time in oak include the Viura from Spain, the Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, and the Chardonnays from Australia and Niagara. For those that prefer some sweetness to their wines, you should try the off-dry (i.e. lightly sweet) Vouvray that is made with Chenin Blanc, or the medium-sweet Riesling from Niagara that always delights!

Among my sparkling wine picks, the 2007 Champagne is a blend of 57% Chardonnay and 43% Pinot Noir, while the Limoux consists of 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay.

Enjoy my wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• NIETO SENETINER DON NICANOR MALBEC 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#178657) (XD) - $16.95  89 pts  wine review
• FEUDO MACCARI NOTO NERÉ NERO D'AVOLA 2018 - DOP, Sicily, Italy (#339101) (XD) - $17.95  89 pts  wine review
• VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2020 - DO Valle del Maipo, Chile (#57513) (XD) - $18.95  89 pts  wine review
• HOLLICK WRATTONBULLY SHIRAZ 2019 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#165944) (XD) - $19.95
• CLINE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Vegan, Contra Costa County, Sonoma County, California, USA (#24914) (XD) - $22.95
• CASTELLO DI COLLEMASSARI MONTECUCCO ROSSO RISERVA 2016 - DOC, Tuscany, Italy (#23039) (XD) - $22.95

 

• WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Clare Valley & Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95  90+ pts  wine review
• LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE PINOT NOIR 2019 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#33894) (XD) - $24.95
• SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#716266) (XD) - $29.95  91 pts  wine review
• TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO 2018 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#727636) (XD) - $34.95  91 pts  wine review
• PHILIPPE & VINCENT JABOULET NOUVELÈRE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2016 - Sustainable, AP, Rhône, France (#635680) (XD) - $36.95  OE
• TENUTA SAN VINCENTI GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2015 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#414417) (XD) - $39.95  OE
  

White Wine:

• ONTAÑÓN VETIVER VIURA 2018 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#437707) (XD) - $16.95
• WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2020 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#468728) (XD) - $16.95
• TESSARI BARCO ORGANIC SOAVE CLASSICO 2019 - DOC, Veneto, Italy (#14345) (XD) - $17.95
• DOMAINE GENDRON CUVÉE CLOS CARTAUD VOUVRAY 2018 - AC, Loire, France (#22584) (D) - $18.95
• URLAR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019 - Gladstone, North Island, New Zealand (#22852) (XD) - $19.95
• TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE NORTH BLOCK RIESLING 2019 - Estate bottled, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#431593) (M) - $21.95
• J. MOREAU & FILS CHABLIS 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#466144) (XD) - $24.95
• ON SEVEN THE PURSUIT CHARDONNAY 2018 - VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (#25856) (XD) - $45.00  OE
• FLOWERS CHARDONNAY 2019 - Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA (#215210) (XD) - $59.95
• ROBERT MONDAVI TO KALON VINEYARD RESERVE FUMÉ BLANC 2016 - Napa Valley, California, USA (#326165) (XD) - $79.95  OE
  

Sparkling:

• J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX - Traditional method, AP, Midi, France (#180323) (XD) - $19.95  89 pts  wine review
• GOSSET CELEBRIS EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2007 - AC, France (#344952) (XD) - $204.95  OE
  

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Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Super Tuscan that returns to the LCBO next weekend in the April 16th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Tenuta Sette Ponti is a story of passion, dedication, and love for vineyards and their traditions. Their business philosophy is based on quality, research, long-lasting knowledge, age-old customs, respect for the land and its balance, while also keep pace with modern agricultural and enological practices.

Although Tenuta Sette Ponti is a relatively new producer that was only established in the 1990s, it's history begins in 1935 when Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta and Viceroy of Ethiopia planted the first vineyards on this property in Tuscany between Florence and Arezzo to celebrate having taken over the Ethiopian Empire. It was called "Vigna dell'Impero", or Vineyard of the Empire, and is home to an ancient clone of Sangiovese that is the only one of its kind.

In the 1950s, Architect Alberto Moretti Cuseri acquired the first 55 hectares of land directly from Princesses Margherita and Maria Cristina of Savoy-Aosta, daughters of Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, and dedicated himself to the production of winegrowing and olive oil. For many years, he produced grapes to sell to producers.

Antonio Moretti Cuseri, Alberto's son, was driven by a passion and interest in wine since he was a young boy. In 1997, he took control of his father's winery and worked alongside the best viticulturists and enologists to evaluate the suitability of the land for the production of quality wines, although the area was already declared one of the most suitable areas for wine production in Tuscany in 1716 by Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. After numerous studies, research, consultancy, and testing, Antonio stopped selling grapes to other producers and established Tenuta Sette Ponti, releasing his first label - Crognolo - in 1998. The name "Tenuta Sette Ponti" comes from the seven bridges that extend over the Arno River on the road from Florence to Arezzo, while Crognolo is named after a wild plant that is also known as Cornelian cherry or cornus mas, and grows abundantly on the estate. With in-depth research, an incredible love for vines, and for age-old expertise about the art of winemaking, Tenuta Sette Ponti makes exceedingly high quality, organic wines in line with Tuscan traditions. Their iconic Oreno Super Tuscan red wine is among the top wines in the world.

In 2018, the third generation of the Moretti Cuseri family joined the business with Amedeo taking on the role of director and Italian market manager, while Alberto is the communications and export director. This new generation continues to represent the company's strong values of tradition and great passion passed down by their father. With a fresh and new vision that is strengthened by high quality wines, Tenuta Sette Ponti is consistently recognized globally and are becoming symbols of Italian excellence and authentic style.

The 1997 Crognolo was Antonio Moretti Cuseri’s first quality wine. It was crafted from clones of the historic Sangiovese vines in the estate's oldest vineyard, Vigna dell'Impero. This unique Sangiovese clone was multiplied across Tenuta Sette Ponti's other Sangiovese vineyards and is still incorporated in this wine. This particular vintage of Crognolo is made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot that was grown on clay and sand soils, as well as Tuscany's special stony galestro limestone. The area offers ideal sun exposure and a climate tempered by the Mediterranean, which are ideal for cultivating the Sangiovese grape. Yields are kept low, while the fruit is hand-harvested, sorted, and de-stemmed. After fermentation in a combination of temperature-controlled and lined open-top tanks, the lots are blended and aged in French Allier barriques for 10-14 months, followed by 5-6 months in bottle prior to release. After enjoying the 2016 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo a few years ago, I am curious to see how this 2018 edition is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO 2018 - IGT Toscana, Italy (#727636) (XD) - $34.95
This Super Tuscan is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot and has a medium-high intensity nose with a lovely bouquet of sweet red cherries, rose floral, and sweet spice aromas with subtle earthy and mineral tones. On the medium-full bodied, chewy palate it has lovely, balanced replays of red cherry, rose floral, and savoury wood spices. It's really nicely balanced with juicy acidity, and plush, textured tannins that have just subtle chalky grip. A pleasing mix of savoury, woody, minerally, and red berry notes linger on the long, very satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Tenuta Sette Ponti's iconic Oreno is available at the LCBO, while other lovely wines from their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Terrazas de Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Ahead of Malbec World Day celebrations that will be held on Sunday, April 17th this year, tonight's red wine review is this lovely Malbec that arrived at the LCBO a couple of months ago in the February 5 LCBO VINTAGES Release, with plenty available across the Ontario.

Established in 1996 with 35 years of winemaking experience, the story of Terrazas de Los Andes actually began when the current winery was built in 1898 by Sotero Arizu, one of the pioneers in the production and commercialization of Argentinian wines. The winery is located in the heart of Perdriel, at the foot of the impressive Andes mountain range, while the majority of their vineyards are situated in the heart of Mendoza's Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley, surrounded by the high peaks of the Andes. The scarcity of the high-altitude climate with its low rainfall, rocky soil, and lack of organic elements in the ground, forces the vines to work hard for hydration and nutrients, resulting in grapes that are vivid and intense. The high-altitude also means warm, sunny days for grapes to flourish, and cool nights that slow down the ripening process. Each variety is cultivated on terraced vineyards at a specific altitude to optimize the grape's purest expression.

While Terrazas has quite a few vineyards spread out over 925 km across Argentina, their oldest is the Las Compuertas vineyard in Luján de Cuyo that was planted in 1929 at 1,070 metres (3,500 feet) to produce the ultimate expression of Malbec. The land characteristics of each vineyard is carefully studied to determine which grapes are most suitable. Furthermore, each parcel of land is segmented into sub-blocks to precisely consider the slightest variations so they can adapt and improve viticultural practises. This process allows Terrazas to achieve the best quality of each micro-terroir to optimize fruit expression and wine precision.

Today, the Terrazas de Los Andes project is owned by luxury brand LVMH, with fruit coming their own 500 hectares of vineyards. This Malbec is from Terrazas' Reserva range of wines - their signature style that aims to be consistent, layered, and generous. The Reserva range offers a panoramic picture of their high elevation terroirs in Mendoza, while also delivering a consistent expression of each varietal, vintage after vintage.

This regional blend of 100% Malbec is crafted using their own grapes located in vineyards aged between 15 to 90 years old across Mendoza in Las Compuertas (Luján de Cuyo), Paraje Altamira, Eugenio Bustos Los Chacayes and Gualtallary (Uco Valley) at altitudes between 1,020 - 1,250 metres (3,346 - 4,101 feet) above sea level. The grapes were hand-harvested, cluster de-stemmed, and only slightly crushed. After fermentation, 40% of the wine was aged in 4th use French oak barrels for 12 months.

The 2018 harvest was marked by a temperate and dry spring, followed by a warm January with temperatures above the norm in the lower areas and similar to the average in the higher zones, while autumn was very even and mild, allowing the grapes to be harvested at optimum maturity. Overall, the memorable 2018 growing season was a return to normality with excellent grape quality. Uco Valley was a stand out with very good natural acidity. Temperature conditions and exceptional thermal amplitudes helped to obtain fresh and healthy fruit with very good concentration of colour and coarse skins, all of which produce very high quality wines. Let's see how this 2018 Malbec from Mendoza is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES RESERVA MALBEC 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#29280) (XD) - $19.95
The fresh, medium-high intensity nose offers lovely aromas of freshly crushed dark berries, blackberry, violets, and savoury earthy, stony minerality notes. It's medium-full bodied on the ripe, chewy palate with more dark berry, blackberry, violets, dried herb, and earthy mineral characters on the flavour profile. Showing a touch of warmth at this stage, but still balanced, while the acids are fresh and juicy. Smooth tannins have a fine, dusty texture. Minerally with violet, dark berry, and subtle oak notes linger on the long finish. Recommended buy to drink now. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Terrazas de Los Andes can be ordered through their Agent - Charton Hobbs.

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Domaine Bousquet Gran Malbec 2018 and Virgen Natural Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Reviews

Continuing my trek towards Malbec World Day that is coming up on April 17th, tonight's wine reviews are a pair of delicious, organic, and vegan-friendly Argentine Malbec wines that recently came to LCBO VINTAGES as new arrivals.

Both of these wines are produced by Domaine Bousquet, a family with 4 generations of winemaking tradition originating in the city of Carcassonne, in the South of France. Third-generation winemaker Jean Bousquet vacationed in Argentina in 1990 and fell in love with the country. It was love at first sight when he visited the scenic and remote terrain of the Gualtallary Valley high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina's Mendoza region. At the time, it was virgin territory as the locals dismissed the area as too cold for grape growing due to altitudes ranging up to 1,600 metres (5,249 feet). However, Bousquet reckoned that he'd found the perfect blend between his French homeland and the New World that was sunny with high natural acidity, and the potential for relatively fruit-forward wines. Today, Gualtallary occupies the highest extremes of Mendoza's viticultural limits and is the source for some of province's finest wines.

Bousquet's daughter, Anne Bousquet, and her husband Labid Al Ameri, were both working in fields outside of wine, but were soon drawn to the cause and offered to put their shared philosophy of sustainability into effect. In 2005, Al Ameri joined his father-in-law full-time to help with the construction of the winery, and Anne joined the family business in 2008. In 2011, the couple assumed full ownership of Domaine Bousquet.

Today, the estate consists of 240 hectares in Gualtallary at an altitude of 1,200 metres (4,000 feet) and due to its location the vineyards benefit from a cool climate and constant fresh air. With very little rainfall, the vineyards are irrigated using a drip system that harnesses pure (and special) Andean mountain snowmelt run-off that creates lower pH in the grapes, resulting in higher acidity. The climate is also desert-like with high 15° C (59° F) day/night temperature differential. The soil surface has low concentrations of organic material, which produces favourable stress in the vines, while the sandy soils offer great drainage and help create elegant wines. Farmed organically since 2001, Domaine Bousquet is Argentina's leading exporter of organic wines, exporting to more than 50 countries. Let's see how these two wines that are brand new to the LCBO in Ontario are tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE BOUSQUET GRAN MALBEC 2018 - Vegan, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#21983) (XD) - $24.95
From the Gran Bousquet line that stars the best grapes from their "home" vineyard that was originally planted by the Bousquet family in the late 1990's. Blend of 85% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 5% Syrah that was organically grown on sandy soils with low fertility, the grapes were manually harvested, selected, and sorted. It was fermented using selected yeasts and aged for 10 months in French oak. The medium-high intensity nose is rich and dark with fine wood spice aromas layered over blackberry, currant, cassis, violet, and vanilla. Full-bodied, structured, and dry on the palate with lightly tangy blackberry, herb, black currant, cassis, wood spice flavours with touches of pepper. Fresh, juicy acids whet the palate, while the youthful tannins have some grip. Savoury wood and spice notes linger on the structured finish, with very good length. On the bigger side of Malbec and a recommended buy. Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on March 5. Score: 90+ pts

VIRGEN NATURAL MALBEC 2019 - Vegan, Sustainable, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#21987) (XD) - $17.95
From Bousquet's Virgen line that has no sulfites added, Virgen wines offer the purest expression of terroir from grapes grown on a mix of sandy and gravel soils. This organic 100% Malbec is crafted from estate fruit grown at a cool 1,200 metres (4,000 feet) elevation in Tupungato, Alto Gualtallary, in the foothills of the Andes. Screw cap. This unoaked Malbec has a fresh and fragrant nose that is ripe and fruit-forward with black-blue-purple fruit, plum, grapey, and white pepper spice aromas, plus whiffs of stony mineral. On the medium-full bodied palate it shows impressive fruit concentration with more fruity black-blue-purple fruit, and grapey flavours joined by touches of dried herbs and spice adding a pleasant savoury component. Mild tannins have a refined, slightly dusty texture. Acids are juicy. Tapers to a minerally, finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on April 2. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Bousquet are available in limited quantities at the LCBO, while the rest of their portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - B. Cojocaru Agencies Inc.

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Trapiche Medalla Malbec 2018 (Argentina) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2017 Trapiche Gran Medalla Malbec last November, tonight's red wine review is its little sibling that arrived at the LCBO today as the Wine of the Month in the April 2nd LCBO VINTAGES Release. This wine is also part of a collection of Malbecs I'll be reviewing in the lead up to Malbec World Day 2022, which is celebrated worldwide every year on the 17th of April.

Founded in Mendoza in 1883, Trapiche Winery has grown to become one of Argentina's most internationally recognized brands. Not only is Trapiche Argentina's largest producer of wine, but they are also one of the industry's leading innovators while pioneering new sites, partnering with premium grape growers, and developing a new generation of talented winemakers. Trapiche was a pioneer in working with Bordeaux varieties, exploring micro-terroirs, and developing modern winemaking techniques. Today, Trapiche owns more than 1,000 hectares of vineyards across Mendoza's Primera Zone and Uco Valley, as well as having longstanding partnerships with some of the province's revered grape growers.

Trapiche has quite a few different ranges of wines and this wine is from their Medalla collection that was borne in 1983 to celebrate the winery's 100th anniversary. This vegan-friendly red wine is 100% Malbec using fruit from their own vineyards in Uco Valley. The grapes were manually harvested, selected, and de-stemmed, followed by fermentation in small concrete vats. It was aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months and further 6 months in bottle prior to release.

The 2018 vintage in Argentina was celebrated for its return to normality with warm day time temperatures and cool nights, and without any unwanted rains. Overall, the harvest showed excellent quality with full maturation and healthy grapes. In the Uco Valley, Malbec stood out for it's great intensity and character. Let's see how this 2018 Uco Valley Malbec is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TRAPICHE MEDALLA MALBEC 2018 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#547869) (XD) - $19.95
100% Malbec mainly from their vineyards in Tupungato, Uco Valley, situated between 1,060 and 1,200 metres (3,500 and 4,000 feet) above sea level. The nose seems somewhat quiet, offering glimpses of ripe plum, purple fruit, peppery spice, and stony mineral aromas with subtle oak nuances. The medium-full bodied palate is rich and ripe with fleshy concentration and lovely flavours of purple and black fruits, plum, white pepper spice, and stony mineral notes. Acids are juicy and succulent, while the dusty, fine-grained, and lightly structured tannins offer a pleasingly textured mouthfeel. Stony mineral and meaty notes linger on the savoury finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Trapiche are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Dandurand.

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