Deep purple color; plum, red and black fruits on the nose; vivid black cherry, raspberry, grape jam on the palate.
Dry; full, rich body; oak and oak spice, vanilla, caramel; grainy tannins, some balancing acidity, smoke. Easy in the mouth, easy drinker, plenty of fruit without getting too jammy or excessively oaky. Nicely done for the price—what Argentine malbec does so well. The wine benefits from decanting, making it even smoother and blowing off some of the initial oak attack.
Price and approachability is why Argentine malbecs took off in the past decade-plus, and Trapiche was one of the early successes. It is one of the oldest brands in Argentina (established 1883). The Argentine Bemberg family purchased the winery in 2010 from the Penaflor Group/Pulenta family, keeping ownership and control in Argentina. Trapiche has almost 3,000 vineyard acres in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, and purchases additional fruit from more than 200 independent growers. The winery produces wine in all price ranges. Dramatically beautiful winery and tasting room.
In U.S., Trapiche is distributed by The Wine Group LLC, based in Livermore, California. Other brands in the portfolio include Chloe, Big House Wine Company, Cupcake, Franzia, Almaden, Corbett Canyon, Concannon, MD 20/20 and others.
Established in 1883, Trapiche is one of Argentina’s oldest wineries and is Argentina’s largest exporter of premium wines, selling in more than 80 countries. Many of Trapiche grapes go into grape concentrate, which helps make Argentina the leading grape concentrate producer in the world.
Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2012 is tasty value wine, especially if you enjoy malbec and oak (not oak monster). Vivid dark fruits and smooth mouthfeel with tame tannins. Ideal every day, pizza night wine that also can pair with richer red meats, especially as second bottle at a big feast. $11-14
