Terrazas de Los Andes, Reserva Malbec 2012, Mendoza, Argentina

Tasting Note: This dry, tannic malbec is no sipping wine.

It has bite and lots of oaky tannin. While many malbecs from Mendoza are fruit forward this one leads with oak and would benefit from being laid down longer and having its tannins soften.

Give this wine some air for an hour so more black fruit emerges. The best of this malbec has yet to be realized, but I’d be curious to taste it again in the future.

This new-world malbec tastes like it was made by a French wine maker in old-world style. Bring your red meat and grill; this wine can stand up to it and more.

Bottle Note: Terrazas de los Andes grows its grapes at the ideal altitude for ach variety, allowing them to develop the maximum expression of aromas and flavors. The grapes of Terrazas Reservas Malbec are sourced from specially selected terraces in the top quality districts of Mendoza at 1,067 meters above sea level.

Vineyard: Shallow, sand-free, permeable soils. Significant fluctuation between the day and night temperature (15°C). Vines irrigated by traditional system with the Andes Mountain snowmelt.

Aging: 12 months oak 80% French and 20% American, 30% New Oak

Color: Deep, dark purple red

Aroma: Extremely fruity. Black cherries, prunes and raisins are combined with vanilla, caramel and toasted notes to define a very complex nose. Hints of violets stand out, typical of Malbec.

Palate: Great body, structure and volume. Despite its concentration, its round and ripe tannins provide a soft and young character that anticipate great aging potential.

Altitude: 1,067 Meters, 3,500 feet.