Most malbec we come across in the US comes from Argentina, but that’s not the only country in South America growing this variety. This one comes from Chile.
This wine is produced by Concha Y Toro, the largest wine producer in Chile, under their Serie Riberas Gran Reserva brand. It’s from the Colchagua Valley region, which is one of my favorite regions for red wine in Chile. Although I most often think of cabernet sauvignon when I think of Colshagua Valley, it’s nice to taste a malbec from the region. More specific than Colchagua, this is from the D.O. Marchigue region.
Black cherry is the most prominent feature on the nose of this wine. It also reveals some dark chocolate, leather, cedar, black pepper, blueberry and blackberry aromatics. On the palate there is plenty of fruit flavors like blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and some black pepper spice. The fruit isn’t overly sweet, like it can be on some inexpensive malbec. The acidity is good. The mouthfeel is OK, but could be more luxurious. There’s a touch of bitterness on the finish, but otherwise it’s nice.
Wine: Concha Y Toro, Serie Riberas Gran Reserva
Variety: 90% malbec, 10% syrah
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol: 14%
Rating: 84
Price: $14.99
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.
