Twigs Reserva Malbec – Deliciously Correct

100% Organic Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.

SRP of $15 and available at that price. Sample received courtesy Twig Wines for review purposes.

From the bottle:

“It shows a brilliant red color. Aromas of raspberry tart and pencil shavings follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium body with nice balance and purity. Finishes in a lingering chocolate covered roasted almond with juicy tannins. 100% Organic Malbec grapes.

13.5% Alcohol”

Today’s wine is the first of several we’ll be reviewing from Twigs Wines, an organic winery over 100 years old in Mendoza, Argentina. You know a winery has been around for awhile when they still use horses to till the vineyard! (They do this mainly because the rows of vines were planted very close together a long time ago when horses were still used to do this job.) Of course, doing things the old-fashioned way isn’t always the best way so let’s check out just how today’s wine tastes!

The 2008 Twigs Reserva Malbec begins with aromas of plum and lavender as well as some baking spice. The wine tastes more earthy than fruity with a smooth and silky texture. Even though it’s quite earthy it still manages to be rather juicy at the same time. More fruit comes through on the finish along with a hint of spice and then lots of chocolate notes. Quite an intriguing wine that’s hard to describe but easy to like. And it gets even better as it has some time to breathe.

I saw one other reviewer say that while it was good, it was not “varietally correct”, something we don’t prescribe to here at The Reverse Wine Snob. Either it’s good or it’s not — by holding wines up to a standard for each grape you inevitably discourage innovation. (Besides, who sets the standard?) Plus I maintain that the vast, vast majority of wine drinkers could really care less if a wine is so-called “varietally correct”, they just want to know if it tastes good! And the Twigs Reserva Malbec does indeed taste quite good.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

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