Malbec
Wine 1:
Catena Alta Malbec 2021 - 13.7% ABV
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
The region of Mendoza in Argentina is known for it’s arid climate and high altitude. It is in a rain shadow as a result of the neighboring Andes Mountains. The grapes for this wine were grown in vineyards ranging from 3,000 to 4,700 feet above sea level, resulting in a high level of acidity in the resulting wine. The wine was fermented and matured in French oak barrels, of which 70% were new French oak barrels, and the wine was matured for 18 months prior to bottling, and later matured in bottle for another 24 months prior to distribution.
Wine 2:
Crocus ‘Le Calcifère’ Malbec 2017 - 14.5% ABV
Region: Cahors, France
The grapes for this wine were grown on stepped terraces along the Lot River in Southwest France. The soil type of the vineyard is primarily Limestone, which results in a high level of acidity in the resulting wine, albeit not to the extent as seen in the Mendoza Malbec. This wine was also fermented and matured in French oak barrels, of which 100% were new French oak barrels, and the wine was matured in barrel for 24 months prior to bottling.
Malbec is a dark-skinned grape originally from southwest France (Cahors, where it is also called Côt) that has gained significant notoriety in Argentina, especially in the region of Mendoza. It produces deeply colored, plush reds with flavors of ripe plum, blackberry, violet, and often a hint of cocoa or spice, framed by smooth, velvety tannins. Malbec grapes have thin skins and grow in loose clusters, making it sensitive to frost and rot, but the high altitude and sunny vineyards with large diurnal temperature changes located in Mendoza help it ripen while maintaining a bright acidity. In Argentina it’s typically fruitier, whereas wines made from the Malbec grape in Cahors tend to be firmer and more savory, with higher tannin and alcohol levels.
Both wines presented in this blind tasting feature aromas and flavors of red plum and dark fruit (blueberry and blackberry). Since the Crocus ‘Le Calcifère’ Malbec was matured in 100% new French oak for 24 moths after fermentation, it has much more prominent aromas and flavors of vanilla, clove, cedar, and charred wood. Additionally, the lower elevation and warmer climate of Cahors results in a wine with a noticeably higher level of alcohol, and lower level of acidity.
