Spring is certainly in the air and conventional wisdom calls for a bright, crisp white or a glass of something pink…yet it’s cold, damp days like today that call for a rich, savory red to warm the soul! This installment of Wine of the Week brings us to a historical vineyard in Argentina, featuring a stellar Malbec.
Since 1922, Bodegas Los Toneles has been perfecting the curation of it’s vineyards, one vintage at a time. With nearly 100 acres spread across 4 zones throughout Argentina’s diverse landscape, there’s much to consider with each parcel’s individual attributes and their ultimate contribution to the flavors in your glass. Recently, we had an opportunity to sample their Tonel 46 Malbec which hails from 3 single-vineyards, each with unique elevations and soil composition. The wine is 100% Malbec, yet from a combination of these vineyards the resulting wine is simply put: REMARKABLE. Layers of bold dark fruits intermingle with brighter notes of cherry, violets and mineral. Satisfying with it’s full body, there’s an energetic lift to the middle palate, finishing with a toasty, oaky note.
A wise winemaker once said, ‘give me great grapes and I’ll give you good wine’. Coming up on a century’s worth of practice, Bodegas Los Toneles has certainly proven their ability to get the best from their vineyards while stewarding the winemaking process to best reflect their land. Not only are we big fans of this one, but Robert Parker’s team at the Wine Advocate echo our thoughts, bestowing a 90 point review on this $15 bottle. In a mixed/solid case, the price drops to $12.74, begging the question, “Can you afford to miss this?”
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