Deep purple color; plum, dark cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, raisins, green olive, oak, coconut, vanilla, earth, violets on the nose and palate.
Dry; tannins soft at first, but linger with dry, dusty intensity—an interesting, consistent feature of Trapiche’s malbec. Supporting acidity (3.6 pH; 5.83 g/L TA). Medium-plus body, smooth mouthfeel. Medium finish. Pure malbec play. Grapes from Luján de Cuyo and Maipú in Mendoza. After fermentation, aged 18 months in new and second-use French oak, significantly—but not obnoxiously—contributing to the flavor profile and part of the wine’s intriguing tannin experience. Bottles held for six months before release for sale. Very accommodating, delicious easy drinker. 14.5% ABV
Trapiche is one of the oldest brands in Argentina (established in 1883) and is Argentina’s largest exporter of premium wines, selling in more than 80 countries. The winery produces wine in all price ranges. Many Trapiche grapes go into grape concentrate, which helps make Argentina the leading grape concentrate producer in the world. This is their second tier effort (behind Gran Medalla), making it more of an everyday, easy drinker. Plenty of dark fruit to enjoy.
The Argentine Bemberg family purchased the winery in 2010 from the Penaflor Group/Pulenta family, keeping ownership and control in Argentina. Trapiche has almost 3,000 vineyard acres in the foothills of the Andes Mountains and purchases additional fruit from more than 300 independent growers. It has a dramatically beautiful winery and tasting room.
In the U.S., Trapiche is distributed by The Wine Group LLC, based in Livermore, California. Other brands in The Wine Group portfolio include Chloe, Big House Wine Company, Cupcake, Franzia, Almaden, Corbett Canyon, Concannon, MD 20/20, and others. So this should have wide availability.
Trapiche Medalla Malbec, Mendoza 2020 delivers all you desire in an Argentine malbec and has an especially nuanced tannin presence. While this is second tier wine behind Trapiche’s Gran Medalla Malbec, it still delivers engaging, easy drinking, dark fruit pleasures. A very solid, good quality-to-price wine that is widely available. $15-23
Pairing—grilled and roasted meats; lamb is classic, especially paired with rosemary and garlic; roasted leg of lamb, grilled lamb chops; leaner cuts of beef, sirloin, flap, hanger, filet, skirt steaks; rich stews like Boef Bourguignon; chili con carne. Mushroom-based dishes; the umami qualities of mushrooms complement the fruit and spice notes. Cheese—aged cheddar is ideal; semi-hard cow’s milk cheese, asiago, colby, gouda. Surprisingly, milder blue cheese can work with the fruitier aspects of this wine, gorgonzola.