Bodega Mendel Mendel Malbec 2020 750ml

A perfumed red with notes of fresh wild berries, just-picked violets, sweet spices and cocoa-dusted walnuts. Medium-to full-bodied with layers of plush, polished tannins and a lingering, silky mouth-feel. Velvety and seamless with delicious blue-fruit and blue-flower character. Drink or hold.

The 2020 Malbec is a blend of grapes from Drummond and Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo. The vines date back to 1926. Aged for 12 months in one-third new barrels. Purple in the glass. The nose offers intense aromas of violet, fresh plum, gentle woody notes and hints of spice. Plush, broad and agile with refined, polished tannins. The texture is a combination of silk and velvet. Well-made, given the year. (Joaquín Hidalgo)

The 2022 Malbec hails from Mayor Drummond and was aged for 12 months in 33% new French oak barrels. It shows reserved aromas of red fruit, plum and white pepper. Smooth, with delicate, gravelly tannins, plush texture and a lovely fruit flavor, this is a well-crafted Malbec, capturing the essence of Luján’s lower zone.

The estate 2020 Malbec was produced with grapes from their property in Mayor Drummond (Finca Mendel) that was planted in 1928. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in French oak barrels, one-third each new, second and third use, for 12 months. It has 14.5% alcohol and a soft and round palate with integrated acidity. De la Mota thinks this 2020 is very representative of the zone of Luján even if they harvest it a little earlier, and it has a little more fresh fruit, using the oak to keep that character, a balance between ripe and fresh fruit that is very interesting. It is juicy and primary with very fine tannins. A wine that overdelivers for the price. 88,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2021.

The grapes for this red are sourced from a vineyard planted in 1928 in Luján de Cuyo. It exhibits a dense and fruit-forward bouquet. The palate offers ripe plum, blueberry and rosemary, all intertwined. Moderate acidity and supple tannins provide support. It finishes with subtle coffee notes. (Jesica Vargas)

This is great Malbec. Typically a very solidly built, well structured wine, the 2013 Mendel is no exception, with loads of black cherry and blackberry fruit, hints of dark chocolate and well balanced tannin structure.