Trapiche is one of Argentina's best known wineries and based in the country's wine HQ, Mendoza, where it owns over 1,000 hectares of vineyards, devoted mostly to Malbec - the great red of this part of South America.

Trapiche's Oak Cask Malbec sees a minimal amount of oak, which adds a touch of spice and complexity to this otherwise fruity, dry, medium bodied red. Great value for money and lively drinking year round.

South America is known for many things, including dark and spicy Argentinian Malbecs, such as this one by winemaker Ernesto Catena. He is the man responsible for this tasty  Malbec from Mendoza; the heart of the country's wine industry and a region equally renowned for its spectacular beauty at the foot of the Andes Mountains.

Argentina does Malbec better than anyone on a mass scale, much of it due to the plentiful vineyards planted at altitude in the foothills of the Andes Mountains where sunshine enhances ripening and cool night temperatures elongate the ripening season to accentuate much needed acidity in this grape. These factors combine to provide growing conditions that are unmatched anywhere else in the world that Malbec is planted on a large scale. Wines like this one are testament to the dense fruit character, spicy notes and complexity of good Malbec, often at a relatively modest price.

We love this wine and it also carries organic certification, another thing the dry climate in Argentina allows for with relative ease, but that's another story. 

If you love big reds, try this one out for size. 

100% Malbec grown on shallow, alluvial, loam and clay-loam soils on sites that are over a 1000 metres above sea level in Lujan de Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina. 

This is all about juicy Argentine Malbec fruit that we all love so much and seems a given from this part of the world. Handpicked grapes are macerated for 10-15 days and then fermented cool prior to ageing in stainless steel and 15% French oak barriques for eight months.

Dark, dry and full bodied Argentinian Malbec made from a blend of grapes from two great Malbec vineyard areas, Agrelo and Lulunta. This accessibly priced, drink-me-now red has no oak maturation, which accentuates the bold fruity flavours of this wine. 

Agrelo is situated 35 km south of Mendoza city and considered to be a great area for intensely flavoured Malbec grapes. Lulunta is another well regarded sub region of Mendoza area.

Another Malbec cracker from the Catena stables.

The Alamos Malbec has a dark purple colour with violet highlights. The nose offers bright black berry aromas with light floral notes and a touch of toast. The mouth-feel is full and rich, with ripe, concentrated cassis and black raspberry fruit interwoven with a touch of chocolate and sweet spice from light oak aging. The finish shows ripe, silky tannins."

Terrazes Malbec is one of our favourite Argentinian reds and is made from grapes grown at over 1000 metres above sea level. The vineyard was planted by Moet & Chandon in the 1950s and was the champagne giant's first winemaking venture outside France. 

It is a spicy, dry, full bodied red that ages superbly for at least a decade and drinks well young with its dark fruity flavours, great structure and long finish. A keeper and one to enjoy right now.

Belasco de Baquedano is a leading winery located in the Mendoza region of Argentina. The winery is lucky enough to have very old vines of original Malbec vines first planted in 1910 - these old vines are the secret to Belasco De Baquedano's success. The old vines consistently produce wines that are full-bodied, juicy and complex with layers of flavour development.

100% Malbec from vines that are over 100 years old.  6 months in oak barrels.

This blend boasts an elegant aromas and flavors of plums, cherry, and violet flowers. It is ripe with strawberries and dark fruit. This full-bodied red finishes with well integrated tannins and moderate oak.

This blend can pair with a handful of dishes but a few we highly recommend trying are: baked ham with a honey, Dijon and thyme glaze or an old fashioned meat loaf.

The fruit for this succulent Malbec is 50% from the Uco Valley, with a majority of calcareous soils and 50% from Luján de Cuyo with loam clay soils. The vineyards are located between 950 and 1.400 metres above sea level. In our vineyards, we do not use any herbicide or systemic product, managing it in an agro-ecological way.

The wine is vinified with 20% whole clusters grapes, and the rest is destemmed. Fermentation is in small concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and at temperatures between 24º and 26ºC. Maturation continues in small concrete vats until next harvest.

This is a succulent juicy expression of Malbec (as it should be) with red fruits combining with floral aromas and black pepper. Ripe tannins lead to a soft and opulent finish.

Belasco de Baquedano is a leading winery located in the Mendoza region of Argentina. The winery is lucky enough to have very old vines of original Malbec vines first planted in 1910 - these old vines are the secret to Belasco De Baquedano's success. The old vines consistently produce wines that are full-bodied, juicy and complex with layers of flavour development.

Here we find Torrentes, Argentina's flagship white grape, made in  a juicy fruit forward style.

Argentinian Malbec is one of the best winter wines around with its dark smooth full body, richness of black plum flavours and spicy notes adding delicious complexity to every sip. This one is certified organic and offers a lively, lovely complex expression of the great Malbec grape. 

The Payada is a competitive composing and singing of verses native to Argentina, usually accompanied by guitar. The performer is called a Payador and in performances two or more payadores will compete to produce the most eloquent verse, each answering questions posed by the other, often insulting. 

El Payador is a contemporary and fruit driven Argentinian Malbec created in partnership with third generation Mendoza wine-maker Jorge Daniel Falasco. The wine is sourced from a single high altitude vineyard at over twelve hundred metres above sea level and primarily matured in season French oak.

Winery

Tapiz is one of the new and successful wineries in Argentina. Our success is based on our great terroirs, our brand new equipment and technology and, above all, our strong and experienced team. Winemaker Fabian Valenzuela was joined by Jean Claude Berrouet in 2012. Jean Claude is the recently-retired winemaker of Petrus, having presided over 44 vintages at this revered Bordeaux winery. We are proud that Jean Claude chose to work with us exclusively in Argentina.

We are a 100% family business, that started 10 years ago with a clear mission:  to produce the best wines and olive oils possible, protecting the environment and preserving regional cultures.

Our terroir defines us and our products are our finest expression of this identity. We are convinced that to achieve these goals, we must produce our grapes, so that every year each segment remains its style and quality.  We have 8 vineyards in the best and most representative wine areas, Globalgap and Good Manufacturing certified, allowing us to have lines with specific characteristics of each region.

Tasting Notes

The aromas and flavors of fresh fruit such as apple, pear, and peach are amalgamated with mineral touches and orange peel. French oak adds notes of caramel and honey. It is a long-lasting wine in the mouth.

93 Points James Suckling

Technical Information

Vineyards: San Pablo Estate  

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay.

Average Vineyard Altitude: 1350 Metres 

Fermentation: Pre-fermentative cold maceration. Alcoholic Fermentation is carried out in new and second use French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation.

Aging: 6 to 8 months of barrel.

Alcohol: 14.0% 

Structure and purity of blackberries, ripe currants and concentrated ripe fruit all intermingle in this beautiful Argentinian red wine. Full bodied and intense with the balance of fresh acidity and ripeness all add up to a great red wine with presence. Drink now or keep for another 9 to 10 years. This wine will last the distance. 

Winery

Tapiz is one of the new and successful wineries in Argentina. Our success is based on our great terroirs, our brand new equipment and technology and, above all, our strong and experienced team. Winemaker Fabian Valenzuela was joined by Jean Claude Berrouet in 2012. Jean Claude is the recently-retired winemaker of Petrus, having presided over 44 vintages at this revered Bordeaux winery. We are proud that Jean Claude chose to work with us exclusively in Argentina.

We are a 100% family business, that started 10 years ago with a clear mission:  to produce the best wines and olive oils possible, protecting the environment and preserving regional cultures.

Our terroir defines us and our products are our finest expression of this identity. We are convinced that to achieve these goals, we must produce our grapes, so that every year each segment remains its style and quality.  We have 8 vineyards in the best and most representative wine areas, Globalgap and Good Manufacturing certified, allowing us to have lines with specific characteristics of each region.

Tasting Notes

Garnet red color with intense violet tints. The aromas and flavours of fresh red fruits such as blackberries and plums are interspersed with aromas of flowers and spicy notes. The oak aging provides vanilla and toasted almonds notes. Balanced and voluminous.

93 Points - James Suckling