See below for what happened.........

Malbec - The New Millennium Grape

During the past decade there has been a virtual explosion in the influx of Malbec varietals to the wine market, almost entirely from Argentina.  Heretofore this grape has been little more than a minor grape used in  Bordeaux blends and has been almost abandoned for use in France.  Clearly there is a curious phenomenon if not an outright revolution occurring in the wine world today.

At this tasting we will experience the flavor of seven moderately priced Malbec wines and explore the causality for its resurgence and newfound popularity.  Three cheeses especially chosen to pair well with the rich robust Blackberry flavor of Malbec will be served with the wines.

 Please bring your own glasses & pens. No smoking or strong fragrances, please. 

Attendees recognize they will consume alcohol and assume responsibility of having done so.

Attendance will be limited to the first 32.

Members  $22.00            Guests   $25.00

What Happened.........

This tasting was organized and presented by Bob Bilenchi and Rosemary Lauder. 

Bob led the tasting, starting with a description of Argentina’s unique wine country.  The principal area is Mendoza Province, on the eastern side of the Andes with vineyards at altitudes of 2000 to 5000 feet.  The high altitude provides more intense sunlight and wide range of day to night temperature and a cool dry climate.  Rainfall is low and irrigation is needed for the alluvial soil.  Malbec is the most important varietal.

Bob explained that in France Cabernet Sauvignon is most prominent in Bordeaux because it is both flavorful and resistant to disease due to its tough skin, whereas Malbec is soft skinned and therefore prone to botrytis rot, a disease called shatter where berries fall off the cluster in the green state and is also prone to frost damage due to its early budding habit.  Move Malbec to a high altitude cool dry climate and the disease problems disappear, ripening can be extended to desirable levels and the less variable mountain climate reduces the risk of frost damage. 

Bob found the following wines selected from 28 Malbecs pre-tasted.   All were very well made.   Prices ranged from $ 7.99 to $16.99. They were dark, flavorful and dry with a relatively high alcohol content that reflects a long hang time and late ripening.  Opinion as to the favorite wine varied among the attendees but many favorable comments were given to the Antucura, the Dona Paula, the Fabre Montmayou and the Trinvento Golden Reserve.

 Trivento Malbec Reserve  2010 Mendoza   

  Aged 6 months in French oak, from Lujan de Cuyo sub region

 Antucura Malbec  2010 Mendoza  Uco Valley

Fermentation in stainless steel tanks and aged for 3 months in used French oak

Dona Paula Estate Malbec  2009 Mendoza   Uco Valley and Lujan de Cuyo

Grapes from 2 vineyards: Finca el Alto-Lujan de Cuyo and Finca Alluvia at 4400ft elevation.  Grapes underwent 2 weeks of cold soaking, then 8 months in French oak.   R. Parker rating 91

Finca el Origen Reserva Malbec 2009 Uco Valley

  Aged 9 mo. in oak.      R. Parker rating 90

Diseño Old Vine Malbec 2010 Mendoza  Uco Valley and Lujan de Cuyo

Fabre Montmayou Gran Reserva 2008 Malbec 

50 & 100 year old vines.       R. Parker rating 91

Trivento Malbec 2008 Golden Reserve Mendoza Lujan De Cuyo

Grapes were given a 10 hour soak followed by a 25 day fermentation and a malolactic fermentation.   Then aged for 12 months in French oak with 12 months in the bottle.

Accompanying the wines were very well selected cheeses, Collier's Welsh Cheddar, Bishop's Creamery Blue Stilton, and Piave Vecchio.

We much appreciated Bob’s fine selection of wines and introduction to Argentina’s increasingly popular signature wine.