Mendoza

Restivo Silver Series Malbec 2012

The 2012 Restivo Silver Series Malbec is sourced from a vineyard (with up to 60 year old vines) in the Barrancas sub region of the Maipu Province inside the Mendoza grape growing area of Argentina. Mendoza is the heart of Argentina’s wine industry and is responsible 2/3 s of Argentina’s wine production. The Barrancas region…

Read More

Origin Malbec 2011

The 2011 Origin Malbec is a Supermarket wine, no that is not a derogatory term, it is a wine brand made exclusively for Albertson’s, Lucky, Jewel-Osco, Shaws, Cub Foods and Farm Fresh stores. This Malbec is produced and bottled by Andean Vineyards in the Mendoza region of Argentina. Produced and bottled means a winery fermented,…

Read More

Acordeon Malbec 2011

The Acordeon Malbec is sourced from high altitude (4,165 feet) estate vineyards in the Tupungato section of the Uco Valley inside the larger Mendoza region in Argentina. The Uco Valley is in the Southwest corner of Mendoza and the Tupungato section is in the northern part of the Uco Valley. This is an under $10…

Read More

Sottano Cielo y Tierra Malbec 2011

The 2011 Sottano Cielo y Tierra (translates to Heaven and Earth) Malbec is 100% Malbec sourced from vineyards in the Maipu and San Rafael grape growing regions of the Mendoza Province in Argentina. The Sottano family has been making wine since 1890, but their current winery, Bodega Sottana, was founded in 2004. This is a young…

Read More

Real del Pedro Oak Cask Malbec 2011

The 2011 Real del Pedro Oak Cask Aged Malbec is a $6.99 Aldi’s import exclusive sourced from vines grown in the Mendoza region of Argentina. The cork says this wine was Estate bottled, but not which Estate. The back label says this Malbec was aged in oak casks or barrels for 6 months. Red wines…

Read More

BOXWINE Malbec

BOXWINE Malbec is a non-vintage Malbec sourced from several vineyards in the Mendoza grape growing region of Argentina. Ok, the name is not all that exciting, but who would have thought that the name BOXWINE was still available? Box wines are beginning to overcome their stigma, it was always the kind of wine you didn’t…

Read More

2010 Trapiche Varietals Malbec

The 2010 Trapiche Varietals Malbec is sourced from several vineyards in the Mendoza grape growing region of Argentina. Trapiche was founded in 1883, in 2002 they were purchased by a US investment bank and their facilities were updated at that time, Trapiche is the leading exporter of Argentinean wines. The Trapiche line includes 11 different…

Read More

2010 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec

The Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec is 100% Malbec sourced from vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina. Trapiche was founded in 1883 and the facilities and vineyards were updated, under new ownership, in 2002. Trapiche owns 7 vineyards in Mendoza and they are the largest Argentinean exporter of wine. This Malbec was produced with all the bells and…

Read More

2010 Bodega Elena de Mendoza Chardonnay

The 2010 Bodega Elena de Mendoza Chardonnay is one of E & J Gallo’s Argentinean wine labels (Alamos is the other), it should sell for under $10, I found it for $6.97. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Mendoza Region which accounts for 2/3’s of Argentina’s wines. The vineyards in Mendoza have some…

Read More

2010 Ruta 22 Malbec

Most Argentinean Malbecs you see the wine shop shelves these days come from the Mendoza Province in Eastern Argentina in the foothills of the Andes. I went to a Wines of Argentina Trade Show a couple of years ago and out of the 25 wineries represented 23 had been founded in the last 14 years….

Read More

2010 Hacienda Del Plata Zagal Malbec

The 2010 Hacienda Del Plata Zagal Malbec is sourced from a single Estate vineyard,  Las Marias Vineyard, located near the town of Chacras de Coria in the Lujan de Cuyo district of Mendoza, Argentina. Hacienda Del Playa is a small, family owned and operated winery and the New York Times named their 2004 Malbec as…

Read More

2009 Zamarro Chenin Blanc/Torrontes

The 2009 Zamarro (90%) Chenin Blanc and (10%) Torrontes is sourced from the Mendoza region of Argentina. Zamarro is a brand name, not a winery, this a brand created to be sold at Safeway (and other) grocery stores, I found it selling for $3.99 on sale at Jewel’s (Chicago’s Safeway Store). This is a wine that…

Read More

Benegas 2009 Libertad Malbec

Malbec is one of those varietals that’s always been hit or miss for me. Originally a minor blending grape in Bordeaux, Malbec is truly at its best in Argentina and has put Mendoza on the map.  It tends to have spicy and dark fruit flavors – which I love – but often with an inconsistent mouth feel. Sometimes…

Read More

2010 Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir

The light red, see-through color on this pinot from Mendoza (Argentina) tricks you into thinking it’s going to be one of those wimpy, light-and-breezy pinots that do have their time and place, but you tend to avoid when you’re in the mood for a nice full body. It smells of a barrel full of cherries…

Read More

2010 Tussock Jumper Malbec

The Tussock Jumper Malbec is sourced from grapes grown in the Mendoza growing region of Argentina. The Mendoza region is in the foothills of the Andes and is the highest (in altitude) wine growing area in the world. The high altitude gives the grapevines intense exposure to sunlight. The Tussock Jumper Malbec is the Argentinian…

Read More