Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFrom Tupungato inside the Uco Valley, Trapiche is working with old vine malbec now over forty years old. The nose is a polished mix of fresh berries and violets with a savoury, umami-like undercurrent and vanilla streaks. The palate apes the nose with supple textures and sweeter black fruits. It is slick and generous, but at five years old, beginning to wear out. It is fully ready to drink. Winemaker Daniel Pi ages this big value red for 18 months in French oak. Steak, anyone?Tasted: 27 February 2021Tasted by: Prices:
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis malbec comes from Tupungato in Argentina's Uco Valley, off mature vines that are well into their 4th decade. It has a lovely youthful colour: deep, rich, dark purple with a telltale pinkish rim. The nose is somewhat closed and unyielding at first, but opens to present an appealing mix of concentrated berry, bramble, plum, and cherry combined with earthy, herbal, and dusty gravel complexity, along with a clear vanilla oak signature. The palate is rich, ripe, mouthfilling, and full of plummy generosity, with a satisfying, fruit drenched finish. Aged for 18 months in first fill French oak barrels, but the wine easily absorbs this. It's a lot of wine for the price, and winemaker Daniel Pi has embued it with elegance and refeshment.Tasted: 27 February 2021Tasted by: Prices:
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis polished malbec comes from vineyards in Uco Valley, and aged 18 months in new French barrels. Sultry violets perfume wild dark cassis, blackberry, black plum along a smooth, supple palate, buoyed by a wave of acidity and a bump of RS. Tannins are plush and long, drawing the fruit through the spiced, pressed finish. Easy to drink now, with some maturity. Nice to see the sweetness dropping off over time on this label.Tasted: 27 February 2021Tasted by: Prices:
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis is a full throttle, heady malbec aged in all new French barriques for 18 months. The oak is certainly present, with no shortage of chocolate and toast, but it doesn't overwhelm the fruit. The soft, plump black fruits work nicely with the wood, and a violet lift gives it added aromatic intensity. Suave and polished, this is nicely balanaced and will hit that big, bold red craving as we head into barbecue season.Tasted: 27 February 2021Tasted by: Prices: