Ask any knowledgeable red wine lover about their favorite varietal from South America and many of them will say malbec. But this delicious wine varietal has an impressive history that wine geeks like me and Alexei want to share with the MyStory Malbec wine lovers. Malbec’s origins are traced back to southwestern France, namely the small Cahors region. While French wine enthusiasts know Cahors, there isn’t a lot available in the market. The first records of malbec date back to the 16th century when it was labeled Auxerrois. The name Malbec was introduced at some point in the 1780s, most likely because Monsieur Malbeck planted it in Bordeaux.
The history of malbec is storied. During the middle ages, the wine was produced only in Cahors and was shipped to Bordeaux where it was sold. Cahors sold well to the British at the time who were huge wine fans that paid well for the varietal. Malbec really put itself on the world wine map in the mid-1880s when the variety was introduced in Argentina and planted in the Mendoza region. This totally revitalized the varietal. The climate in Argentina is nearly perfect for growing Malbec and it soon became one of the most planted varieties in Argentina. Even today, Malbec vineyards account for one-third of all red wine vineyards in Argentina.
So why did Alexei decide to go out on a limb and produce a domestic malbec? First of all, he thinks the varietal makes easy-drinking, juicy wines that have popular appeal. And then one night he had a dream that told him he should not only produce domestic malbec but also one that is barrel-aged in bourbon barrels.
So what sets the MyStory Malbec aside from the historic malbecs produced in France and Argentina? We believe in the flavor profile that the barrels impart to the wine. Please enjoy these tasting notes on the MyStory Malbec and look for it at your favorite wine and spirits retailer soon. Hints of red berries, wild sage, and black currant are intertwined with subtle vanilla notes from bourbon barrels. Flavors are balanced and rich with layers of pleasantly assertive tannins overlaid with enticing oak. The finish is rich and complex which enables additional aging. While enjoyable currently, this intense red wine will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 3-5 years in the bottle. The plateau of best drinkability is from 2021-2025.
Photo by Dan-Cristian Pădureț on Unsplash
