2019 Paanam Malbec Red Wine

The 2018-2019 growing season has been wonderful, with nearly perfect growing conditions, delivering healthy grapes with nice balance of fruit ripeness and acidity. The season started with a rainy spring but we have had a dry summer and fall, with the exception of some of some sporadic rains that helped the vines reach a nice balance between canopy and yield. We have had lower temperatures during February and March, which has us harvesting 4 days later than last year. The mild temperatures are letting the grapes ripen slowly while preserving a nice natural acidity. While quality is excellent in almost all varietals, we are seeing lower production in the Malbec, due to the early frost and Zonda winds. So far whites, rose and Pinot Noir wines are displaying a nice expression of fruit and freshness. We project a fantastic harvest for most grapes but Malbec and the Cabernets are really looking exceptional.

Our representative red varietal is originally from the Southwest of France, in Cahors, where it was used just to adding colour to the region’s red blends. As with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the Malbec grape is generally used for blending in other parts of the world. A hundred years ago, found its place in the world in Argentina. Nowadays, even though it is planted in more than seven countries, Argentina represents over 75% of the Malbec acres around the world. Through its success in the vineyards of Mendoza, in a few short decades Malbec has shot from relative obscurity to international fame, simultaneously bringing new-found attention and respect to Argentina as a wine-producing nation. French Malbec tends to be more meaty, rustic and tannic, while examples from Argentina seem to be uniformly rich, ripe, jammy and juicy.

On both sides of the Atlantic, Malbec wines are generally aged in Oak to enhance the wine’s structure and aging potential. Argentinian Malbec vines produce a wide range of wine styles. At lower altitudes, the variety’s skins tend to be thinner, and the fruit soft and supple ideal for rosés and mass-produced reds. On the lower slopes of the Andes Mountains, the variety develops a thicker skin and a deeper concentration of flavour. Wines from these altitudes (particularly above 3000ft/1000m) are more aromatic and have intense, vibrant colouring, and rank among the most respected of all South American wines. In the Uco Valley, it is the vivid expression of plums and berries mixed with spices and floral notes like violets.

Malbec’s most significant characteristic is its intense dark colour. Its aromas evoke cherries, violets and plums; in some cases, it is reminiscent of marmalade, depending on when the grapes were harvested. In the mouth Malbec is warm and soft, with non-aggressive tannins. When it is aged in oak, it develops a nice complexity of sweet spice and tobacco.

Malbec

Brimming with ripe dark fruit character and inky black pigments, Malbec is a versatile, food-friendly red wine with significant roots in Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Malbec claims southwest France, specifically Cahors, as its original homeland where it is known simply as “Côt.”

Flavour Profile: Malbec is an extrovert. Dry, full-bodied, leaning higher in alcohol, with robust tannins, and decidedly forward fruit – this grape is hard to miss in the glass. Plenty of Mendoza sunshine at altitude gives the grapes a chance to carry considerable sugar levels, which converts to elevated alcohol levels in the bottle, with higher levels of innate acidity as well. Malbec grapes tend to sport thicker skins that give way to firmer tannins in the wine, thankfully this tighter structure is well balanced by engaging aromatics and rich dark fruit character. In terms of aromas and flavours, expect a Malbec berry medley to take the spotlight with plenty of blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and plum to dominate initial impressions. Delicious, warm vanilla spice, pepper, dark chocolate, exotic mocha notes along with the earthier aspects of leather, smoke and tobacco may all make their way into the heady palate profile of this versatile grape. While tannins may be considerable, the textures tend to round themselves out to a rich, velvety touch.

Pairing Picks: Malbec is a meat-lover’s wine. Perfectly happy with all sorts of red meat, and a natural with burgers, brats, wild game, sausage, ribs, braised lamb and roasted pork, Malbec’s innate tannins and bright acidity slice through the fat and protein structure with considerable ease. Versatile with veggies too, Malbec can find its way around vegetarian cuisine without a hitch, the earthy side of the grape welcomes the complementary character of root vegetables, wild mushrooms, and pungent (often blue) cheese. Given the higher alcohol levels and firmer structure, Malbec typically shows best when served at around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Malbec’s Place: Mendoza is home to more than 70% of Argentina’s vineyards and is the regional host to many of the most well-known Argentinean producers. The most important and familiar growing region around Mendoza is the Valle de Uco (Uco Valley). A combination of well-drained soil, consistent sun and significant altitude give the growing zones surrounding Mendoza a significant edge on the viticultural front. Most vineyards capture close to 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and average around 3,000 feet in elevation, while showcasing the classic alluvial soil structure – a combination of sand and clay. Tucked into the distinguished Valle de Uco, The Vines of Mendoza cultivates over 1,500 acres offering wine lovers the exclusive experience of vineyard ownership and hands-on winemaking for the ultimate introduction to Malbec from grape to glass.

Fermentation Curve

Making Red Wine