Available for $19.99 at Oscar Super Cash & Carry in Puerto Rico. After bemoaning the quality of the Malbecs at Trader Joe’s on twitter, Carlos Toro from Oscar’s sent me a bottle of this wine to try. According to the Lariviere website their wines are currently only exported to Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Denmark, Uruguay, Guatemala, and Australia. From the winemaker:
GRAPE: Malbec 100%.
HARVEST: 2008
LOCATION VINYEARD: Luján de Cuyo, Ugarteche, Mendoza a 975 msnm.
DESCRIPTION OF WINE: Red ruby with a twinkle of violet, intense, brilliant; it has a frutal expression prevailing over the oak. This important presence of fruit will later transform into the velvet, elegant and lasting flavour of the bouquet.
GUARD: 14 months in contact with French and American oaks, medium plus toasted.
ASSORTMENTS: Excellent with strong cheeses, red roasted meats and pastas with red sauces.
SERVE: between 16 and 17 ºC.
Terroir Luján de Cuyo have special characteristics, that had to be respected, in order to be revealed in the final product. Mario Toso refers to a concept which involves a detailed planning, deep knowledge and commitment that needs to the present to obtain such a purpose. The result is a complete and humble agriculture which doesn´t search to impose itself in a context but to respond to what the place is looking for, with a deep respect to the terroir.
Wines The objective is to produce wines with a strong personality and elegance given by a french savoir faire with the talent of Mendoza’s team and the incredible taste of the grapes. To focus on the elaboration of few wines but all of them with a very unique style.
So here we have a great story, a cool label with individually numbered bottles and limited availability, which makes for quite an exclusive wine at around $20. (This one looks like it could do well in the American market!) While all this is nice, I’m much more interested in how the wine tastes. I’m not a big fan of all those other things (which can so easily feed into the wine snobbery I so dislike) — taste and value are what this blog is about. However, if the wine can back up all the talk and window dressing with great taste then I can live with it.
The 2008 Lariviere Yturbe Malbec Partida Limitada does indeed come through with great taste. Ripe fruit and a bit of coffee/vanilla on the nose. Smooth and fruity in the mouth with some spice and heavier tannins on the lingering finish. Overall quite good and much more complex than a typical Malbec. Words don’t really do this one justice. If you are in Puerto Rico, you need to go pick up a bottle and give it a try. For the rest of us, here’s hoping that this wine makes it to the States soon!
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
Taste Rating: 8 I’m only giving this one a Taste rating for now since it is not available in the U.S. yet.
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