La Posta Pizzella Mendoza Malbec 2017

We were impressed by La Posta’s Pizzella Malbec from the very first. Past vintages have been superb, but we think this month’s feature, the 2017 La Posta Pizzella Family Malbec, is even better than its predecessors. Apparently, we are not alone; the 2017 La Posta Pizzella Malbec made James Suckling’s 100 Best Wines Under $30.00, and garnered a 93 point rating. Sporting a rich purple color and plenty of rich berry aromas, our tasting panel members were all in even before the first sip. The 2017 La Posta Malbec displays refined complex flavors and silky smooth tannins, which complement its ripe berry flavors and savory notes of chocolate, espresso, licorice, sandalwood, and wild violets. If one is accustomed to brawny, simplistic Malbec and nothing more, La Posta’s Pizzella Malbec will come as a revelation. Medium to full-bodied, this textured Malbec delivers its largesse with precision and polish before finishing with true grace and verve. For ultimate enjoyment, we suggest serving the 2017 La Posta Pizzella Family Malbec at cool room temperature after 10-15 minutes of aeration. Enjoy!

La Posta’s 2017 Pizzella Family Malbec is a dynamic, superbly crafted wine that is born to be enjoyed with food, family and friends. Some favorite accompaniments to the Pizzella family’s food-friendly Malbec include beef, poultry, pork, and vegetables. Grilled Quail with a quinoa, currant and pine nut pilaf provides an especially tasty companion to this wine as does Wild Boar accompanied by a sage and dried cherry risotto. Grilled Polenta with a wild mushroom ragout makes for another splendid partner to the 2017 La Posta Pizzella Malbec. Lentil Quinoa Carrot Cakes with a mild tahini sauce and crumbled feta offers another tasty vegetarian offering. Whether plain or fancy, simple or spicy, the 2017 La Posta Pizzella Family Malbec was bred to be enjoyed at the table with food. Buen Provecho!

The 2017 La Posta Pizzella Family Malbec makes an ideal accompaniment to many kinds of cheeses. A creamy Harvarti, rich Cheddar or Double Gloucester pairs beautifully with Malbec’s savory flavors. Aged Gouda and Pecorino Toscano also provide flavorful companions to the La Posta Pizzella Malbec. For more superb wine and cheese pairings or to learn more about gourmet cheeses, contact us at www.cheesemonthclub.com. Enjoy!

La Posta was created by fourth generation vintner Laura Catena whose family is practically synonymous with Malbec and widely regarded as the first family of Argentine wine. La Posta fashions several special Malbecs, each from a distinguished, individual family vineyard. La Posta’s Pizzella Malbec emanates from the Pizzella family vineyard in Mendoza’s Uco Valley. The Pizzella vineyard is renowned for yielding wines with rich berry flavors, touches of exotic spices, sandalwood, and smooth, ripe tannins. Wines from the Pizzella vineyard have received many 90+ point ratings over the years from Robert Parker Jr., James Suckling and others. They have also been the recipients of many Gold Medals at trade tastings.

La Posta translates to “the tavern,” where local farmers meet to discuss their soils, their vines, their quest for superior flavors, and their passions for life. In collaboration with wine pioneer Laura Catena and esteemed winemaker Estela Perinetti, La Posta highlights the hard work and skills of the people behind some of the finest family vineyards in Argentina.

Malbec is one of the original red wine grapes of Bordeaux, France (where it is also called Cot or Pressac). While Malbec plays a purely supporting role today in Bordeaux, adding color and body to the region’s Merlot and Cabernet blends, it remains one of the six legal grape varieties permitted in red Bordeaux (along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Carmenère). However, south of Bordeaux in the region of Cahors, Malbec still reigns supreme. It remains the chief grape used in what historically has been called the “black wine” of Cahors.

Despite Malbec’s deep French roots, it is Argentina which has come to fore as the contemporary champion of Malbec, where the varietal reigns as the most important grape variety, both in terms of quality and quantity. The best Argentine Malbecs and Malbec blends offer considerable flavor and body at a relatively young age, yet they remain age-worthy wines capable of true distinction, especially in the hands of Argentina’s most accomplished winemakers.