Argentina Malbec Showdown
Malbec - born & blender in Bordeaux, bold in Cahors and famed in Argentina. This is no ordinary red grape variety. It’s soft, juicy “damson fruit” (plum species), floral perfume and lovely dark purple are it’s tell tale signs of Malbec. A favorite of warm, dry climates. This grape is skillfully grown in Argentina, it’s the country’s signature red variety. They maximize it’s perfume character and lush structure.
Tobacco Leaf, damson, violets, lush fat dark fruit flavor, soothing ripe tannins, loves new oak (but you don’t want to smother it natural deliciousness)
Fun fact: First brought to Argentina in 1852 from Bordeaux.
Have you ever compared 2 wines so similar on paper except for 1 small yet important detail - ageing. These two wines are from the Barbarians wine group - a group of independent family wineries that focus on hight quality wines from Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco, in Mendoza, Argentina. Each family has their own style and mark on the wines, but ultimately they share the same passion for wine and common goals - respect for the terroir, sustainable farming, natural winemaking and support the local community.
Both wines from the same region, the same altitude, hand harvested, 100% Malbec, young aged vines HOWEVER one is aged in oak vs. no use of oak.
Barbarians Gualta Malbec 2018
Gualtallary D.O., Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
14%
Fun Fact: The name “Barbarians” was inspired by the legendary rugby team (founded in 1890).
Pre-fermentation maceration for 10 days, followed by a 15 day fermentation using indigenous yeasts.
Pours in the glass a bright ruby purple color
Swirl and the sweet, candied red & black are followed by vanilla, sweet tobacco leaf and violets.
Sip and the soft medium tannins coat your mouth are balanced with the medium fresh acidity. The fresh, fruity flavors of candied cherry, raspberry, red plum, blackberry, licorice, mint, earth and violets. It starts off sweet and finishes dry on tobacco note. I chilled it just slightly to bring it to proper room temperature. I found on the first sip it was too warm (alcohol) but once chilled the alcohol tasted well integrated with the fruit.
This is a fresher, juicer style of Malbec - expect loads of fresh fruits (blackberry, raspberry) & floral, soft ripe tannins and balanced acidity.
Bocanada Malbec 2018
Gualtallary D.O., Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
14%
Founded in 2012 by young winemaker Leandro Boullaude, a 5th generation winemaker who’s family moved to Mendoza in 1896 from Veneto. He studied winemaking and viticulture both in Spain and Argentina. Bocanada Wines are known for high quality wines and innovation. They use concrete egg-shaped vessels for the fermentation and aging in order to preserve the powerful terroir and varietal characters.
The vines are at an altitude of 1 400m in sandy loam soil. The grapes are manually harvested and undergo a 10 day pre-fermentation maceration, followed by 15 days of fermentation in concrete eggs using ambient yeasts. Once complete, the must is pressed and aged for 12 months in small French oak barrels.
Pours into the glass an intensely deep purple ruby color.
Swirl and you are hit with intense leather, manure, barnyard, dirt followed by blackberry, plum.
Sip and you taste the fruit notes first of tart black plums, ripe black cherry and blackberries, medicinal mint, licorice, red pepper flakes, bramble, cocoa and hums into the sweet tobacco, earthy finish. The high alcohol is well integrated with the fruit, medium acidity and medium soft ripe tannins that lingers in the mouth.
A seductive Malbec that has a lot character and charm.
Burgers with blue cheese anyone? Bison filet with plum sauce? Roasted duck medallions? Yes to all of the above.
