Gascón
Gascón
GRAPES: Malbec
VINTAGE: 2018
REGION: Mendoza, Argentina
ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 14.5%
PRICE: $13.99
More information can be found HERE
I’ve perused the last few bottles of wine that we have sampled during TJ Tuesday, and an overwhelming amount of them have been from Italy. Surprised? Maybe it’s my love for “la dolce vita” or perhaps I’m coping with canceled travel plans, who knows. All I can say, it’s clear that I have lots of love for Italian wine. This week, I decided to venture to a new part of the world, Mendoza, Argentina, and experience the signature wine of that area, Malbec.
Before I became so passionate about food and wine, I had the opportunity to visit Mendoza, and it was spectacular. Given the recent devastation in Napa, I’ll be looking for new wine regions to explore and this is certainly one that I want to revisit. Anyone else ready to book a plane ticket to Argentina when we can travel again?
As much as I love opening a bottle and taking that first sip, I’ve been trying to be mindful of letting the wine open up so I can experience all the flavors.
TASTING NOTES:
Classic cork
Deep violet hue
On the nose, notes of dark fruit and a little bit of spice
As the wine opens, the dark fruit notes evolve- think blackberry, dark cherry, and plum
Spiciness in the back of the mouth with almost a mocha-like finish
Very mild tannins; a bit of acid at the finish
Lovely balance between sweetness and boldness
Verdict:
What a wonderful weeknight wine. Honestly, I forgot how fantastic and complex Malbec wine could be. For the 13.99 price point, this is a solid purchase. This is one bottle that would be wonderful to pair with a beef or lamb dish or even a pizza. But, it’s also enjoyable as a standalone glass. Next time you find yourself at Trader Joe’s, pick up a bottle, and let me know what you think!
