I love wine. I love to pair it with my favorite foods, try new wines when out and about and sometimes, at night, collapse in a heap with a lovely glass of… something good. Wine Wednesday should come more than once a week, IMHO.
Recently, I had the opportunity to try something good – Graffigna Centenario Malbec 2009. Malbec has surpassed Pinot Noir as my favorite red so I was really looking forward to checking it out. Malbecs have the body I love, the deep and inky color, the lingering tang from the tannins and the spices and pepper that make a wine interesting … it reminds me of Bordeaux which makes sense because the Malbec grapes are one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of a Bordeaux.
Graffigna Centenario Malbec met all of my expectations and more – it is 100% Malbec. Deep and rich, I loved the purple highlights in the color. It also has surprising toasty hints with currents of vanilla and the bouquet is all about berries and spices and pepper. This is a substantial wine. I always chill my wine – the proper temperature makes all of the difference and takes away the distracting bite – Graffigna Malbec is best served at 15-17°C (59/62°F).
look at that color!
In my haste to try the wine, I paired it with a creamy pasta and it was good but the next night, I experienced the full potential of the wine with a grilled steak and mushrooms and WOW. The berries and peppers and some coffee flavors came forth. Then it was gone. And I can’t wait to go and buy more.
The Graffigna Malbec will become a standard on my wine rack and it would also make the perfect hostess gift – imagine a summer barbecue – this wine can stand up and more to the char from the grill!
Be warned – this is a dry wine so make sure you like that!
Standard Retail Price is about $13 – perfect range.
- Web: http://graffignawines.com/g/main/home_landing.php?lang=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graffignawines
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/graffignawines
About the Winery:
Suggested Food Matching: Lamb Ossobuco with hot spicy pumpkin risotto in Malbec reduction. (I would love to try this!)
Established in 1870, GRAFFIGNA has the honor of being the oldest winery in San Juan and the second oldest winery in Argentina. The Graffigna Centenario Malbec has its origin in San Juan in Pedernal Valley located at 4.593 ft above sea level and Tulúm Valley located at 2.066 ft. This remote, unspoiled area is home to a highly unique terroir. San Juan enjoys a dry climate and an average of 310 days of sunshine per year. Runoff streams originating in the Andes Mountains flow through the area, providing ample water for irrigation. These ideal conditions grant the grapes optimal
ripeness, with softer tannins and exceptional concentration. Because the Zonda wind that blows through San Juan helps prevent disease and mildew rot, fewer pesticides and chemicals are used, resulting in superior fruit quality. The first to sell branded wine in Argentina, GRAFFIGNA now has a healthy export business to more than 40 countries worldwide.
I received this bottle from Pernod Ricard as a courtesy to review. My opinions are my own and I don’t change them … even for wine.
