2021 Paanam Malbec Blend Red Wine

The 2021 harvest was notable for a series of out of the ordinary weather events. The vines began their budbreak cycle very similarly to the previous year’s, with a perfectly dry, warm spring. But in October a late frost was recorded, and ended up affecting yields by an average of 20 – 30% depending on each grape variety. Luckily, this decrease in quantity did not translate into a decrease in quality. Then, in February and for part of March, we were hit with intense rains reaching 350mm, which necessitated increased preventative spraying and an additional leaf removal and green harvest to avoid potential botrytis issues in some tight grape clusters.

The vines were able to recover nicely though, enjoying sunny days with a wide temperature range between day and night through the entire second half of March and all of April, which allowed for high quality in most of the grape varieties.

The white varieties have very good acidity and lower alcohol, making this a year of fresh and elegant white wines. The reds had somewhat varying results but on the whole did very well. Varieties such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Mourvedre and Syrah suffered a little more because of the rain, but our careful response in the vineyard and the winery allowed them to nevertheless reach a good level of quality. Longer cycle varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah, as well as some Mediterranean varieties such as Grenache and Monastrell, did not reach full polyphenolic ripeness due to the rains. However, we vinified them using a soft extraction, which helps the grapes produce medium-bodied, elegant wines. The short- and medium – cycle varieties such as Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc, on the other hand, have expressed great polyphenolic maturity – another high quality year – for these grapes. Overall, we will have wines with very expressive fruit, pleasant tannins and moderate alcohol levels. In general, the acidity is good, meaning great aging potential. We are happy to report that winemaker Pablo Martorell and the team are very pleased with the results of the 2021 harvest. Cheers!

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 the 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