I feel the need to start off this review by first apologizing to Alpasión. These wines were originally supposed to be reviewed quite awhile ago but kept being pushed back as entire months were dedicated to certain themes (International Merlot Month), wineries (Market Vineyards) and portfolios (Terlato). So, Alpasión, please accept my apologies. I am sorry.
Speaking of Market Vineyards, Alpasión's origin story is actually quite similar. A group of friends were enjoying some wine together and started talking about how cool it would be if they would start making their own. We've all done this from time to time, jokingly. But the founders of Alpasión actually went ahead and followed through with it.
Located in the Uco Valley region of Mendoza in Argentina, this winery owns 85 hectares of land (60 of them being vineyards) at 1,200 meters above sea-level. Although it doesn't look like they're certified just yet, they live by the code of sustainable organic farming. Right now they only make two wines. Today I'm reviewing their 2013 Malbec and next week I'll be reviewing their 2012 Private Selection.
After being hand harvested and fermented with native yeasts, this Malbec saw ten months in 100% new French oak and has an ABV of 14.9%.
Lately I've been really getting into atmospheric death metal after it was suggested by a friend / coworker for gaming. I play A LOT of DC Universe Online and I've discovered a few albums that have gone perfectly with it. I've found it also goes well with wine drinking. So tonight my music selection is Caladan Brood's Echoes of Battle. Try not to let the hairs on your neck stand up when thinking about kicking some digital ass.The color of the wine is straight-up purple. On the nose there's a dusty minerality, a big wallop of vanilla, dried brown spices, weathered wood, homemade cranberry sauce and juicy, ripe plums.
In the mouth it's a little lighter than medium bodied but with a rich and round mouthfeel and silky tannin. The flavors are fruit forward with plum, cranberry and spoiled cabbage. Just kidding! There's no spoiled cabbage. I just wanted to make sure you were actually paying attention. The flavors are fruit forward with plum, cranberry and blackberries. A great mix of red and black fruit. The swallow is fantastic as it sees a brief visit into mocha-land. It finishes with those fruits on the palate, the addition of cola, and a silky coating that keeps those flavors going for quite awhile.
I really enjoyed this Malbec. It has that sustenance that made Argentinian Malbec popular in the first place, and we're seeing less and less of it as it becomes more industrious. There's way too many watery Malbecs being poured in my glass nowadays and it's depressing. For $25 I simply have to give this one a recommendation. In all honesty, I kept drinking it just to return to that fine, fine finish. You should get there, too.
In the mouth it's a little lighter than medium bodied but with a rich and round mouthfeel and silky tannin. The flavors are fruit forward with plum, cranberry and spoiled cabbage. Just kidding! There's no spoiled cabbage. I just wanted to make sure you were actually paying attention. The flavors are fruit forward with plum, cranberry and blackberries. A great mix of red and black fruit. The swallow is fantastic as it sees a brief visit into mocha-land. It finishes with those fruits on the palate, the addition of cola, and a silky coating that keeps those flavors going for quite awhile.
I really enjoyed this Malbec. It has that sustenance that made Argentinian Malbec popular in the first place, and we're seeing less and less of it as it becomes more industrious. There's way too many watery Malbecs being poured in my glass nowadays and it's depressing. For $25 I simply have to give this one a recommendation. In all honesty, I kept drinking it just to return to that fine, fine finish. You should get there, too.
QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $25
Rating: 4/5 = Recommended (what does that mean?)
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
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