Last Week's Tasting Notes

Santa Julia Organic Malbec ($9.99)
From the producer:
"Santa Julia Made with Organic Grapes is a range of wines coming from certified organic vineyards and it expresses our goal of emphasizing organic agriculture, peacefully coexisting with the environment.

Organica is a clear example of the combination of unique style and diversity to be found in Mendoza soils. From working in the vineyard and in each of the stages of development, Santa Julia winery has a genuine commitment to sustainable production and care of all those details that allow obtaining wines that win
consumers worldwide.

COLOR: Violet-intense purple, concentrated and bright.
AROMA: A complex nose with varietal notes of ripe fruits, figs, prunes, jam and raisins.
FLAVOR: A good body, with sweet tannins and well balanced by acidity. A lingering and complex finish."

From me:
This is a medium-bodied wine that sees no oak, so the fruit really shines through. It's a great introduction to Malbec, as it is smooth and drinkable, with a good balance of fruit and acidity. It has enough body to be a good cool-weather wines, but it's fresh enough to enjoy in warmer weather, too.

Kipu Malbec ($10.99)
From the producer:
"From our best vineyards in Altamira (at 1,150 meters [almost 3,773 ft] above sea level) and Gualtallary (at 1,350 meters [almost 4,430 ft] above sea level), KIPU Malbec displays the unique characteristics of the Uco Valley, a terroir with cold climate, mineral and rocky soils. The trellis system used is espalier and the grapevines are head trained. The average yield is 8 t/ha (approximately
3.24 t/acre). Drip irrigation is used. Our vineyards have always been managed using sustainable agriculture practices.

Manual harvest takes place in the first week of April. Destemming is gentle,
without breaking the grains. A cold pre-fermentation maceration is carried out, following KIPU style, to preserve primary aromas. Then, fermentation at low temperatures and a short post-fermentation maceration are performed. The wine is aged in first, second, and third-use French oak barriques for 10 months.

Intense violet color. In the nose, aromas of black fruits, violets and spices. Mineral and graphite notes. Great balance and freshness in the mouth, with good concentration and medium structure. Soft tannins and persistent finish."

From me:
Kipu is a little more my speed when it comes to Malbecs: it has a little more body and the spicy notes are apparent. This is a full-bodied, smooth wine with a nice round mouth feel. You can pair this with red meats or hearty vegetable dishes, as well as charcuterie and bolder cheeses.

Tintonegro Uco Valley Malbec ($13.99)
From the producer:
"TINTONEGRO, meaning 'black wine' in Spanish, is meant to celebrate the essence of Malbec in Mendoza. Known for its dark, blackish color, Malbec is definitely a TintoNegro.

TINTONEGRO wines are meant to reflect the heart and soul of Malbec in Mendoza. The portfolio explores the terroirs of Mendoza where Malbec does best, gradually isolating unique vineyard sites and winemaking techniques which can showcase the heights of concentration and complexity to which Malbec can aspire.

Sourced from Mendoza’s high altitude Uco Valley, this blend is meant to showcase the cool climate style of Malbec. Intense floral aromatics, dark fruit flavors, rich texture and a bright, fresh finish –cool climate Malbec. The wine is aged for 9 months in French oak, 5% new."

From me:
This is, so far, my very favorite Malbec. The first time I tasted it, I was hooked, and I have to say that many of my customers have had the same experience. This wine has deep, dark fruit flavor and a meaty, velvety feeling on the palate. I could drink this all day long, with or without food. For me, the best pairing with this wine is rare beef, but it can complement a hearty vegetarian meal just as well.