Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec – It’s Good

Last Updated on November 4, 2024

Checking out if a top of the line wine from Bodega Trivento still lives up to its name. We review the Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec.

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec - It's Good

100% Malbec from Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. The wine is aged mostly in oak barrels (20% new) for 12 months and contains about 8% Malbec from the 2021 vintage. It is also vegan friendly.

Sample submitted for review. The Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec has an SRP of $20 and is available for as low as $16. Imported by Eagle Peak Estates.

From the bottle:

Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec is crafted in vineyards over 100 years old in Luyan de Cuyo, the source of the finest and mot complex Malbec the world has to offer. Hand-selected grapes are aged for 12 months in oak barrels and developed into a vivid garnet red wine with lively fruit aromas and silky tannins to fill the palate with sensations.

14% Alcohol

As we’ve said many times before we’re not fans of using terms like “reserve” when there’s no agreed upon definition or standard (like there is in Spain). That said, for wineries that produce different levels of wines, these terms can be helpful for distinguishing quality levels. This is assuming, of course, that they are used correctly and are not just for marketing purposes. Today’s wine ups the ante even more, adding in the “Golden” term. (What’s next, “Platinum Reserve”?) [Funnily enough, we originally wrote the preceding line in 2015 when we reviewed the 2012 vintage of this wine. Since that time Trader Joe’s have indeed introduced their “Platinum Reserve” (and “Diamond”) level of wines.]

Despite our reservations with the naming strategy, it actually does help to differentiate among Trivento’s many different wines with the Golden Reserve being a step up in price from their normal Reserve line. Let’s find out if it is also a step up in taste.

The 2020 Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec opens with pleasing aromas of plum, black cherry, some floral notes and a bit of spice. It’s a good start.

The medium-bodied wine features similar flavors to the nose with a little black tea as well. It’s lacking some depth from what we would expect for a “Golden” Reserve but it’s still balanced and enjoyable.

It ends dry, long and lots of lingering spice and was slightly better on day 2.

It’s tasty, but not sure what all the fuss is about honestly, at this price, it just squeaks by with a recommended buy rating. I would have liked more depth and tannic structure.

2020 Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec

Taste: 8 (89-90 points)       Cost: 5
OVERALL RATING: 7.3

Find more of our recommended Malbec as well as information about this popular variety here!

The Best Malbec Under $25

You may also want to check more of our favorite wines from Argentina here!

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Jon Thorsen

ABOUT JON THORSEN

Author and independent wine consumer helping millions of people find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. Sign up for my FREE GUIDE to learn how! Read more about me...