June Tasting - Argentina, Malbec and more...

June's Tasting was supposed to be Malbec, but slowly evolved to show an element of elevation and book-ended by a couple of Argentina's other most popular grapes. Malbec originally fails from Bordeaux of France being one of the 6 red grapes allowed within the blend. It also dominates in the Cahors region just east of Bordeaux; these wines are worth exploring for any Malbec fan. It was originally introduced to Argentina in the mid 19th century and has since become the countries signature grape. With some of the best examples are coming from some of the highest vineyards in the world. 



1. TILIMUQUI  - Single Vineyard Torrontes - 2016 - Argentina $15.99 - Everything Wine

This is a great single vineyard Torronte's from Argentina's largest producer of Torronte's. This is Argentina's signature white variety and are usually crisp floral and fruity. This is a good example that is also Fair Trade and organic. It has notes of melon, peaches and a bit of citrus with the signature floral note. Dry with high acidity and med body.





2. TRAPICHE - Pure Malbec - 2016 - Uco Valley, Argentina $13.99 - Everything Wine

This is a nice entry level Malbec from Mendoza's high elevation area Uco Valley. This wine sees no oak therefore making it a little lighter and just gives pure fruit expression. It is dry with some plum, blackberry notes with just a nice touch of spice.







3. BLEASDALE - Second Innings Malbec - 2015 - Langhorn Creek, Australia $14.99 - BCL

I originally built this tasting for more people but a few couldn't make it, so this Aussie Malbec was going to be paired with a nice BC one. I was going to show how Malbec can be expressed in other terroir's. This wine had red berries, chocolate mocha, a hint of spice and the typical violet notes from Malbec. I nice wine on it's own or with food and a rare one for Australia.




4. LAS MORAS PAZ Malbec Pedernal Valley - 2016 - San Juan $15.99 - BCL

This Malbec hails from the south San Juan sub-region of Perdernal Valley about 100km north of Mendoza. San Juan is traditonally too hot and desert like for grape growing, but the Perdernal Valley gets the vineyards up to between 1100m-1300m. This wine had ripe plum, with hints of vanilla violets and a bit of smoke.







5. AMALAYA SALTA VALLE CALCHAQUI Malbec (blend) - 2015 - Salta $21.99 - BCL

This Malbec has 10% Tannat and 5% Syrah and comes from the lower vineyards of the Salta region. The vineyards start at around 1,750m and go up to the world's highest at Bodega Colomé with 3,111m. This wine was well balanced with notes of strawberries, and wild raspberries accompanied by spicy vanilla and soft velvety tannin's on the palate.







6. CATENA - High Mountain Vines Malbec - 2014 - Mendoza $21.99 - BCL

This lovely wine is a good benchmark into $20+ Malbec's. Catena Is one of the larger producers in Argentina having first planted there in 1902. This wine comes from a blend of 4 select vineyards ranging in elevation form 920m-1450m. This wine had blackberry and cherry fruits intermingling with some mocha, earthy and mint notes. Dry, med+ body, and well balanced with a nice lingering finish that never disappoints.




7. CATENA ZAPATA - Catena Alta Malbec - 2013 - Uco Valley $52.99 - Everything Wine

This wine comes from Catena's mid range label, Alta. These are small lot single variety wines sourced from some of the best rows within their vineyards. This was hands down the favourite wine on the night and allowed people to see what paying a little more can add to the depth of flavour and enjoyment. This wine was complex with a long lasting full finish. On the nose it had red and black berries, with a nice floral note rounded by some leather, spice and licorice. This is an unfiltered wine made with wild yeasts helping add to its density and complexity.



8. VALLE LAS ACEQUIAS - Bonarda - 2011 - Mendoza $22.49 - Everything Wine


To round out the flight I threw in a wine made from Bonarda, the 2nd most planted grape in Argentina that originally hails from Italy. It has slightly lower tannin and a bit higher acidity compared to Malbec. This wine had notes of wild strawberries, plum, with some earthy dried figs, and hints of black pepper hidden in the long complex finish.







FINCA FLICHMAN ROBLE - 2016 - Malbec Argentina $10.99 - BCL

This wine was not part of the flight but was opened near the end of the night. It is entry level Malbec that is light and fruity, unoffensive and easy drinking. Subtle notes of red fruit with a bit of spice and leather.






Happy sipping, and let me know if you get to try any of these.