ANTIGAL | Uno | Malbec | 2019
malbec
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Today we are going to review a single-varietal malbec wine from the famous Mendoza region of Argentina – Uno Malbec 2019 by Antigal. Known for its plump, dark fruit flavors and smoky finish, malbec wines have been adored for centuries, especially by the royal houses of England and Russia. With elegant notes of blueberry, plum, tobacco and hints of violets, modern malbec offers a great alternative to its higher priced siblings: merlot, cabernet sauvignon or syrah. Although the malbec variety originated in the famous Cahors region of France, Argentina proved that there’s more to malbec than just value, as it can offer an unmatched complexity and elegance, if produced in an expressive new-world style, with a nuanced and juicy, fruit-forward character. Uno (or One) is the winery’s signature wine, made of 100% malbec grapes and crafted to reflect the essence of the Uco Valley, the high-elevation heart of Mendoza. Always in search of perfection, each vintage is crafted from the best parcels from each vineyard, thus creating the One wine. In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the malbec grapes and those delicate, terroir-driven hints, Uno has been aged for a period between 8 and 10 months in french and american oak barrels (both, new and used). But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:
//Visual
color: deep ruby color
clarity: hazy ruby shades on the rim
//Olfactory
intensity: rich & oaky
fruit character: ripe & overripe
The opening aromas of this wine are bold and captivating. A burst of ripe black fruit takes center stage, with notes of dark cherries, black plums and black mulberries, however, hints of overripe sweetness peek through as well. Woven throughout these primary aromatics are nuanced hints of oak, adding a touch of toasted oakwood and cigar box. In the background, a wave of warming spice emerges, offering hints of peppercorn, nutmeg and clove alongside subtle earthy undertones. This intriguing bouquet suggests a wine that prioritizes bold fruit with a touch of oak influence over the terroir-driven, earthy complexity.
//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: medium+ | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: crisp
The palate mirrors the nose, offering a wave of ripe black fruit flavors. The wine’s exuberant acidity cuts lovely through the richness of the fruit, keeping the wine fresh and lively. A touch of oak influence comes through more prominently here, adding more complexity and sophistication on the wine’s flavour profile. The tannins are ripe, with a slightly seedy grip that lingers on the finish, while a touch of alcoholic warmth becomes more apparent on the palate, lingering slightly through the aftertaste. Despite that warmth, the aftertaste itself remains crisp and bright, echoing the initial burst of fruit.
//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 3 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential
Overall, this malbec wine feels bold and fruit-forward, boasting aromas of ripe black fruits, accented by a nuanced oak presence and hints of warming spice. The palate follows suit, delivering a wave of expressive black fruit flavors that are supported by a noticeable oak influence. Despite its expressive fruit character and firm structure, the wine feels a bit angular and lacks the finesse one might expect from a well-crafted Mendoza malbec. This is a wine that will benefit from additional bottle aging, to allow the structural elements to integrate further and round up those sharp edges on the mouthfeel.
//Scoring
ANTIGAL | Uno | Malbec | 2019
variety: malbec
country: Argentina
region: Mendoza | Uco Valley
rating: 92.9
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This is definitely a fine wine of Argentina and, with a total of 92.9 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.
Pairing: Due to this wine’s ripe and overripe fruit character, noticeable oak influence, and that nuanced touch of alcoholic warmth, it would be best suited for rich and flavorful dishes with a smoky accent, that can stand up to the wine’s boldness. An argentinian skirt steak with chimichurri sauce would be a perfect choice, as the richness of the marbled steak would complement the wine’s ripe and slightly seedy tannins, while the smokiness from the grill would echo the oak character in the wine. In the same key, the acidity in the wine would help cut through the fat-rich texture of the steak, while the herbaceous notes of the chimichurri sauce would add a refreshing contrast to the wine’s warmth and that subtle earthiness. Cheers!
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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.
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By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
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WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a monthly donation so that we can review even more wines.
WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a yearly donation so that we can review even more wines.
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