Typically I avoid anything from Argentina it usually is overly boastful with little substance explaining its cheating ways by explaining the situation being a result of divine intervention. [Ask your friends that follow world cup soccer if necessary.] At long last however I finally have found a reason to give Argentina a chance, this Matuco Malbec.
I was recently reading "The Rembrandt Affair," a spy novel by Daniel Silva. Part of the story took the protagonist to the Mendoza region of Argentina to investigate the theft of a long lost Rembrandt masterpiece. It had a wonderful side story describing the Malbec produced by the grief stricken son of a war criminal who was haunted by the sins of his father.
Soon after I finished "The Rembrandt Affair," I found this Malbec at F&E and being $9 I gave it a try to pair with a pre-seasoned tri-tip roast.
On first glance in the glass it is an intense ruby color that is very visually appealing. The nose is intense and appealing. The Mantuco Malbec is a full bodied wine, and a little heavy on the tannin straight out of the bottle. I poured myself a glass before I went out to the grill and was initially disappointed. When I came in after the tri-tip was done the tannin mellowed appreciably, so Carmen and I enjoyed the remainder of the bottle. The flavor after some airing is very fruity with a deep berry tone which is just the way I like it.
If you give this Malbec a little time to breath you will be pleasantly surprised by this fun and intense wine. Growing up with a bunch of British expats overseas though I still am sore even all these years later about that "Hand of God" play, but if Argentine wineries continue making wine like this we can let bygones be bygones!
Cheers.
