2018 Mendel Malbec – A Mellow Wine To Warm Up With
As is custom, a few times a month I select a wine other than from California. As we hit our first cold evening in California (40 degrees), went to the cellar and grabbed one of my favorite Malbec’s. It comes from the famous 3,000-foot elevation Uco Valley, in Mendoza wine region Argentina. This was a younger 2018 but have always enjoyed this wine. With the fireplace this turned out to be just a perfect wine!
The Wine -2018 Mendel Malbec
(Photo ©Michael Kelly)
This wine is full bodied on the eyes with dark royal purple coloration. On the nose aromatic floral violets are also present. On the palate almost overpowering black and dark red fruits come to the forefront with tobacco, French oak, chocolate, black licorice and fresh leather. On the finish a smoky almost open fire flavor resides in the mouth along with sharp and defined tannins. Subtle vanilla and caramel sneaks in to round out the finish with just a slight sweetness. Great structure, depth and enjoyment. The wine provides an “old world sense of being” from the Uco Valley. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels. Average price is roughly $23 to $25/bottle. This wine typically gets between 93 to 96 points year after year. James Suckling rated this 94 points. On this cool evening it was a 100 points for us!!
If you like Malbec, this is surely one to have in your cellar.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://thewinesteward.com/ (where I purchased this wine)
California Wines & Wineries 