Malbec – Gone with the Wine!

Wine Appraiser

Tonight, our blind-tasting duo heads down south, way down south to Argentina. Malbec is a Bordeaux grape that has become less popular in France but is king in Argentina. Malbec is the most planted grape by far in Argentina. It produces over half of the worlds Malbec. (According to the Oxford Wine Companion) Malbecs from Argentina are riper and more velvety than those from France.

Malbec was a widely planted grape in California before prohibition. Plantings have again been growing in California.

Malbec is a medium to full-body wine, normally fruit-forward. It has red and dark fruit flavors. The warmer the climate, the darker the fruit. Many Malbecs have little oak aging. Cahors in Southwestern France produces a lot of Malbec called Cot. It has darker fruit flavors with higher tannins and smoke or earthiness.

Malbec often has a purple tint.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2022 Kirkland Signature Malbec $6.99 at Costco. The wine is produced in Mendoza, Argentina. Aged 12 months in French Oak Barrels. The Wine Adventure Journal and Reverse Wine Snob say - Aromas: Plum, blackberry, cola, licorice, vanilla, dusty spice, fig, and leather. Taste – Vanilla, chocolate, plum, black cherry. They call it an easy-to-drink wine with earthy characteristics. Reverse Wine Snob calls it a bulk buy.

2. 2022 Zuccardi Serie A $11.99 at Costco. I saw online for $14.00 to $17.00. This wine comes from the Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. Robert Parker gave it a 92. The winemaker says, Aroma: cherry and prunes, with black pepper and tobacco. Also get chocolate, cherry liqueur, and spicy notes. Soft and velvety with firm tannins.

3. 2022 Wapisa Malbec $14.99 from Costco. The wine comes from Patagonia, Argentina. James Suckling gave it a 94. Flavors of dark plums and blackberries, chocolate, ripe tannins, and good acidity.

Next week we are having our first challenge show. It is a Pinot Noir Challenge and features a California Pinot verse a Oregon Pinot. The wines will include:

1. 2019 Talbott, Kali Hart Pinot Noir. Purchased from Costco for $17.49.

2. 2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir. Purchased from Costco for $17.00.