Sensing Malbec: mouthfeel and astringency
Malbecs tend to have an inky dark color and robust tannins. However, Argentina’s varied climatic conditions dictate the result in tacit variations in mouthfeel and astringency. Grapes grown in the North of Argentina are found to have good aging potential, full bodied and emanates spices and dark berries, as opposed to districts in the South that creates complex, fruity Malbecs with floral notes complemented with mineral texture. Then, there’s the High Altitude Mendoza Malbec of the Central region which has attracted numerous notable wine-makers.
In that spirit, it was time to pour Paisaje de Barrancas into each wineglass after an open Misterio Malbec was emptied. Although, the evening was romanticized with the abundance of wine, evident in the sound of clinking and tinkling glasses everywhere, our group had the chance to taste two of Malbecs’ pride like a pro…
Paisaje de Barrancas – Displays a stunning deep ruby red with violet tints. Flavor extracted from hand-picked grapes mingling with the aroma of red fruits from the forest, spices and chocolate. Aged in American (50%) and French (50%) oak barrels for 12 months further 6 in bottle. With a double-dash of Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), with the Syrah and Malbec leading the way. The palate showcases concentrated flavour, fruits and herbs combined with oak. Refined tannins with an elegant, round and long finish makes it a perfect pair for slow cooked lamb stew.
Misterio Malbec – Focusing on fruit and softness, easy but sophisticated, this food-friendly wine is aged in oak for four months and a further three months in bottle. 100% Malbec it is from Mendoza region, has a moderate amount of soft tannin that cuts through any residual sugar that might be present. A touch of chocolate and that of cherry and red plum fruitiness on the palate, this deep red in colour wine has an elegant finish that should round out servings of Risotto, sweetbread or meats with sauces.
Paisaje de Barrancas (left) and Misterio Malbec (right)
There was no attempt of trying to place oneself with the “Sophisticated” but, how lovely it would be to plummet once in a while into wine-tasting and take the opportunity to learn to appreciate that wine-tasting is not JUST LIKE an art. It IS an art. As Miss Mimi Reyes phrased it, “Wine is like travel. You cannot talk about a place with vividness unless you’ve been there yourself.” . And, the three basic steps on how to really taste wine are:
1. Look – After wine was poured into a clear glass, tilting the glass slightly and checking on the colour of the edge of the wine should indicate either youth or maturity. Purple tint suggests youth while, brick or brown-ish should signify a wine’s maturity.
2. Smell – The nose. Swirling the wine will release molecules. Take a whiff. A novice may find it difficult at first to distinguish between similarities and differences. Hence, it may help if you take down notes of your impressions.
3. Taste – Mouthfeel, is when wine tasters take a moment to value the flavour and balance. The midpalate density or the lack of it. And, the finish is the aftertaste.
On this note, I believe it’s not too late to develop a sophisticated wine palate, not to merely impress, but be able to get the most out of every wine-tasting experience where, it makes me proud to say that World Malbec Day made me try the real thing.
Thus, on behalf of When In Manila, let’s raise a toast! To Sarmiento, Pouget, Malbec and Argentina!
WhenInManila meet and greet with Argentina Ambassador to the Philippines, Joaquin Daniel Otero.
To Sarmiento, Pouget, Malbec and Argentina!!!
Here’s the complete list of Wine Importers and the corresponding wine brands they featured at World Malbec Day…
Doña Paula (Forth and Tay)
Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon
Los Cardos Syrah
Los Cardos Merlot
Los Cardos Chardonnay
Los Cardos Malbec
Bodegas Santa Ana (Titania Wine Cellar)
La Mascota Malbec
La Mascota Chardonnay
Bodegas Santa Ana Malbec
Caracter Malbec-Merlot
Espiritu de Argentina (Metro Wine Center)
Espiritu de Argentina Malbec
Rincon del Sol (Artisan Cellars)
Rincon Del Sol Malbec 2012
Rincon Del Sol Reserve Malbec 2011
Moebius Malbec 2010
Condor Peak (Artisan Cellars)
Condor Peak Malbec 2012
Andean Reserve Malbec 2010
Michel Torino Estate (Artisan Cellars)
Coleccion Michel Torino Malbec 2012
Cuma Organic Malbec 2012
Don David Malbec 2011
Don David Premium Malbec 2011
Trivento (Trillo Wines Corp.)
Trivento Golden Reserve
Trivento Reserve Malbec
Tribu Malbec
Dulce Malbec
Trivento Reserve Torrontes
Dulce Natural
Melodía Wines (R Wines and Co.)
Melodía Malbec 2007
Melodía Malbec Rosé Dulce
Melodía Malbec Rosé Brut
Via Libre Malbec 2008
Altos las Hormigas (Wine Depot)
Altos las Hormigas Malbec
Altos las Hormigas Vineyard Selection Reserva
Colonia las Liebres Bonarda
Finca Flichman (Werdenberg Int’l Corp.)
Misterio Malbec Oak Aged 2012
Gestos Malbec 2012
Expresiones Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Tupungato (Cab.Sauv.,Malbec & Merlot) 2009
Barrancas (Syrah, Malbec & Merlot), 2009
Misterio Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Aged 2011
Gestos Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011
Misterio Chardonnay Oak Aged 2011
Misterio Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Andeluna Cellars (Zen Asia Inc.)
Andeluna Altitud Malbec
Andeluna Altitud Merlot
Andeluna 1300 Malbec
Andeluna 1300 Torrontes
Terrazas (Rams House of Wine)
Terrazas Altos del Plata Malbec
Terrazas Reserva Malbec
Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay
Bodegas Norton (Phil. Wine Merchants)
Norton Barrel Select Malbec
Norton Reserva Malbec
Norton Colección Malbec
Kaiken (Philippine Wine Merchants)
Kaiken Corte Malbec Bonarda Petit Verdot
Kaiken Ultra Malbec
Kaiken Reserva Malbec
Trapiche (Philippine Wine Merchants)
Trapiche Malbec
Lagarde
Altas Cumbres Malbec
Altas Cumbres Torrontes
Finca de los Andes Sauvignon Blanc
Finca de los Andes Malbec
Commemorative Wine celebrating the 65 Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Argentina and the Philippines
Join thousands of others in the festivities and find out more about Argentine Malbec at:
Santis Delicatessen
Argentine Embassy & Big, Bold Young & Old Malbec
