![]() ![]() Mendoza is a large province (nearly the size of Illinois) that is home to 75% of Argentina’s vineyards, and Malbec is the region’s most celebrated grape. San Raphael shows potential and offers excellent value. Region Specific: The Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza’s sub-regions, consistently produce the top-rated Malbec wines.Also, residual sugar is little to none (less than 1 g/L). Tech Notes: Acidity (sourness) is usually between 5–7 g/L and pH ranges from 3.65–3.75 in the top-rated wines we could find tech sheets on.It’s not uncommon to see quality Malbec wines age for 15–24 months before release (regardless of whether it’s oaked or neutral oak/tank-aged). Typically, the more time a wine spends in the cellar, the higher investment the winery is making into giving the wine ample time to develop before it hits the market. Extended Aging: Good Malbec can handle cellar aging.While mechanized harvesters continue to improve, there is still no comparable substitute for a delicate hand and a choosy set of eyes. Manual Harvested: Great wines are almost always hand-harvested.Drink Now–5 Years: If the Malbec didn’t fit those two profiles, aging ranges were reduced or not listed.īasic Tips for Seeking Quality Mendoza MalbecĪ comparative tasting at Pulenta Estate, whose wines are manually harvested.Of the wines that were rated, we noted this style typically received 90–92 points. 7–11 Years Aging Potential: Malbec wines with dark fruit flavors, notable acidity (“juiciness”), moderate tannin, and a chocolatey, oak-driven finish were usually recommended to be consumed within 7–11 years of the vintage.Of the wines that were rated, we noted this style typically received over 93 points. 10–20+ Years Aging Potential: Structured, racy Malbec wines with dark fruit flavors, notable acidity, and a powerful, chewy, or tight (tannic) finish aim for drinkability within 10–20 years of the vintage.To answer this question, we scoured hundreds of reviews from WS, WE, JS, and WA. But, that raises a fundamental question: if these wines improve with age, are they likely to return on investment? Now that Argentine Malbec has garnered top scores from critics, many of us who love the stuff want to add it to our cellars. Get the Wine 101 Course 75% OFF with the purchase of Wine Folly: Magnum Edition. ![]() Why use less oak aging? Well, oak barrels and aging cost money. $12–$20 Good Introductory Wines: Entry-level wines usually produced in large quantities, tend to focus on Mendoza’s smooth, juicy-fruity style without too much oak.Extended aging (in tank or oak), brings out rich chocolatey flavors and velvety textures. ![]()
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