Amanda Barnes, Madeleine Stenwreth MW and Dirceu Vianna Junior MW tasted 136 wines with 8 Outstanding and 74 Highly recommended.
Premium Argentinian Malbec: Panel tasting scores
136 wines tasted
Exceptional 0
Outstanding 8
Highly recommended 74
Recommended 44
Commended 2
Fair 8
Poor 0
Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their current-release wines labelled as single-varietal Malbec, in which Malbec represents at least 85% of the blend, with a minimum retail price of £15 or US$18
You would be surprised at how exciting it can be to taste nearly 140 Malbecs back-to-back. Far from any monotony, there was a compelling diversity of wine styles, regions and expressions in this panel tasting. Proving that premium Malbec remains at the forefront of the evolving face of Argentine wine, the tasting highlighted not only an ever-greater focus on terroir – particularly in the sub-regions of Mendoza’s Uco Valley – but also a quest for freshness and elegance.
‘The best examples displayed excellent varietal definition and a real sense of place,’ commented Dirceu Vianna Junior MW. ‘It is wonderful to see great premium Malbec emerging from all corners of the country, with especially high quality coming out of Mendoza’s Uco Valley and more specifically [Paraje] Altamira.’
