Back to Home Advertise Subscribe
Email this Article ARCHIVES Back to newsletter

Trapiche Single Vineyard Malbecs
Mendoza, Argentina

The best vintage of three distinctive areas of Mendoza, are hand-harvested, hand-sorted and vinified by Trapiche Winery to produce limited quantities of rich, powerful, yet exquisitely elegant wines. This year’s Single Vineyard Malbecs honor the region and the growers – proud, passionate about their work, their vineyards, their land and their way of life – who live to grow and deliver the highest quality grapes.

by Simone Zarmati Diament

At the foot of the Andes, Mendoza is perfect for vine growing: high altitude, arid and pebbly volcanic soil, dry and desert-like climate, hot day time temperatures that drastically drop at night, no rainy season and an abundant, but intelligently diverted flow of water from the Andes. Yet, with all these ideal conditions, it took Argentina’s growers and winemakers many years of hard work, persistence and know-how to produce the superb wines that one can find there today. In Argentina, one in ten bottles sold internationally is made by Trapiche. The number one exporter of Argentine wine is also a modern winery using state-of-the-art equipment and cutting edge practices.

With over 120 years of history and over 1000 hectares of vineyards, the company must buy grapes from 1000 hectares sourced from over 100 grape growers working very closely with the viticultural team led by Daniel Pi, Trapiche’s Chief Oenologist and Marcelo Belmonte, Director of Viticulture. There are many places in Mendoza for the production of top quality Malbecs, some better than others. Excited over Argentina’s indigenous grape which thrives in Mendoza’s amazingly diverse terroirs, Trapiche embarked on the Single Vineyard Malbecs project to honor the growers. For many years, these people -- passionate about their work, their vineyards, their land and their way of life – have made their living delivering the highest quality grapes.

Each year, Daniel Pi and his team, select the best vineyards from three Malbec grape growers in three different areas in Mendoza to make outstanding wines. This year the exquisite 2004 Single Vineyard Malbecs are Trapiche's homage to the men behind the grapes: Jose Blanco, Felipe Villafañe and Pedro Gonzalez, from three distinctive areas of Mendoza: Lunlunta in Maipú; El Peral in Tupungato and El Cepillo in San Carlos, featuring their names prominently on the label. Hand-harvested, hand-sorted and vinified with natural malolactic fermentation at their winery, Trapiche Single Vineyard Malbecs are produced in limited quantities, and are available per bottle as well as in sleek wooden three-packs. These rich, powerful, yet elegant wines which spend at least 18 months in new French oak are best decanted 1-2 hours before serving. They stand up well to rich meat stews, grilled beef, venison and game, hard cheeses, and are excellent with delicate casseroles, pastas and truffles.

Trapiche Malbec Viña Victorio Coletto Single Vineyard 'El Peral' 2004 ($45)
This vineyard in one of the highest growing areas of Mendoza, 3,700 ft high, with 50 year-old vines growing in alluvial, sandy soil with pebbles throughout the profile, was founded in 1939 by Victorio Coletto, a young soldier who was in the military service in the area and dreamt of lying down under the willow tree by a stream running through the land. When he planted his vineyard with Malbec Victorio had no idea that El Peral in Tupungato, in the Uco Valley would become one of Mendoza’s most prized areas. When asked why he decided to plant Malbec, Don Victorio answered simply, “Because I like red wine!” Now 83, Victorio has been selling fruit to Trapiche for many years, and his grapes, curiously oversized berries and bunches, have always been prized for their sweetness and exceptional high quality. The 100% Malbec with a deep garnet hue has intense peppery aromas of plums, figs and red fruit which develop in the mouth into delicate accents of caramel and coconut from the oak with hints of chocolate and pomegranate molasses. Is ample yet well-balanced tannins are subdued into elegance by a lively and fresh acidity.

Trapiche Malbec Viña Carlos Gei Berra Single Vineyard 'Lunlunta' 2004 ($45)
Founded in 1930 by Carlos’ father at an altitude of 2880 ft, Parcel #56, the subsection where this Single Vineyard Malbec comes from, is a 33 year-old vineyard planted on alluvial, loamy clay soils, with olive trees planted between the vines, poplar trees and a breathtaking view of the Mendoza River. This “viticultural nightmare” with an unusually low trellis system, rebellious and crooked vines produces some of the most spectacular fruit in the area. Carlos believes that his vineyard is “protected.” It has never been hit by the frequent hailstorms or the frost that plague his neighbors.

This 100% Malbec is a brilliant example of the Malbec of Mendoza. Intensely violet red with strong aromas of mature berries, leather and tobacco, this luscious, full-bodied wine bursts with rich complexity as it hits the palate. Good acidity combines with sweet, chewy tannins make it an elegant, vibrant, velvety wine, with a delicious lingering finish.

Trapiche Malbec Viña Pedro Gonzalez Single Vineyard 'El Cepillo' 2004 ($45)
This is the second vintage in a row for Pedro Gonzalez and his wife Rosa. Inseparable, Rosa handles the administration and, at harvest, controls the quality and quantity of each basket unloaded in the sorting bin
. El Cepillo’s unique terroir and climate have created a wine of unbelievable concentration. Located in one of the coolest winegrowing areas of Mendoza at 3,414 ft. high on shallow alluvial, loamy clay soils, this low yield vineyard head trained with cane pruning is 8 years old and delivers a wine of intense, dark ruby color with plum marmalade, cherries, honey and white chocolate on the nose. Full-bodied and well textured with muscular, intense tannins, yet ripe and smooth, it exhibits flinty aromas enriched by tart and dark fruit, licorice, spices, hints of mocha, vanilla and praline and a long lasting finish.

The three wines equally wonderful albeit with the different characteristics of their particular terroir are an exquisite way of deepening one’s knowledge and understanding of the Argentine Malbec.

Home

Advertise

About Us