Deep purple color; plum, red fruits, smoke on the nose; plum, blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, green tea, pepper on the palate.
Dry; gentle, rounded tannin; reserved acidity (3.78 pH). Full body. No oak—all aging done in concrete. Soft, tasty, smooth, velvety. Balanced easy drinker. Medium-plus finish. 14.5% ABV
Malbec was somewhat minor grape in France. Frenchman Jean Pouget introduced malbec to Argentina in 1868. Malbec had found its home. Bodegas Caro is a joint venture between Nicolás Catena and Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in Mendoza. The website notes: “Initial enthusiasm quickly became a concrete plan to produce a single wine that would combine French and Argentine cultures and the two signature grapes of each producer, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.”
“Aruma” means “night” in the language of the Quechua, the native Indians of the Mendoza region. Caro chose the name because of the intense darkness of the Andes, mirrored by the black-purple of the wine. For many wine enthusiasts, Mendoza is synonymous with Malbec. It has experienced major success in the past 20 years, driven by its dense fruit flavors and soft, approachable tannins.
Bodegas Caro Aruma Malbec 2018 is Bodegas Caro’s introductory-level malbec. Sensational value. Ripe, rich fruits. Tasty easy drinker with substantial weight and richness. Pair with beef—grilled steak, gourmet hamburger; roasted leg of lamb; pork roast and grilled pork; poultry, especially dark meats like duck; chicken and spaghetti with meatballs. $15-17
Taub Family Selections, U.S. importer website
