Deep ruby-purple color; plum, red cherry, vanilla on the nose; red plum, cherry, red and black currant on the palate.
Dry; somewhat harsh tannin on the pop-and-pour, but decanting significantly tones things down and smooths things out. Equal blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec; the cab dances the lead in this effort. Oak is relatively modest—six months in French barrels—lending some vanilla. This has some roughness to it, even after decanting, but it certainly can stand up to and complement heavy beef. Folks into big red wine will find several elements to enjoy—not the least, the price—while those possessing more bashful palates probably will find this too much for their dainty tastes.
Trivento is the Argentinean property of Chilean wine powerhouse Concha y Toro, Latin America’s leading wine maker. Founded in 1883, Concha y Toro produces wines at every price point, employs more than 3,000 people, and headquarters in Santiago, Chile. Concha y Toro exports to 135 countries. Excelsior Wines is a sales and marketing venture of Concha y Toro and Banfi Vintners in the United States, revolutionizing the way brands are brought to the U.S. market. They also sell and market California wines Little Black Dress and Five Rivers.
Trivento means “three winds”—Zonda, Sudestada, and Polar. Zonda winds are dry and frequently carry dust and can blow at 25 m.p.h. While Zonda is hot and dry in the lower regions, it is the main snow producer in the higher elevations of the Andes; the winds occur between May and November, fall through and spring seasons in Argentina. The Sudesta winds blow from the southeast; they also are dry but usually bring rain between July and October—late winter and early spring in Argentina. Polar—or Pampero—winds are blasts of cold air, often taking form as squall lines. They bring a noticeable drop in temperature and are most common in winter—May through August—but they also occur in summer (July-August-September), bringing welcome relief for periods of high humidity and extreme heat.
Trivento vineyards cover more than 3,750 acres and eight vineyards in the Mendoza region of northwest Argentina. All the vineyards use drip irrigation systems—Mendoza is high dessert with less than eight inches of annual rainfall. Water comes the snow-capped Andes immediately to the west.
Trivento proudly proclaims it is “The Official Wine of Major League Soccer” in the United States beginning in January, 2018. Argentineans are soccer crazy, but the likely U.S. marketing move is motivated by surveys showing MLS indexes higher for wine purchases than those of any other major U.S. professional sport.
Trivento Argentinean Blend Cabernet-Malbec Reserve 2016 is somewhat rustic red blend where red fruits and nippy tannins dominate. This is not smooth, easy drinker, although decanting and exposure to more air in the glass significantly smooths it. It’s a red wine for lovers of red wine with cab in the lead, even though the blend is 50-50. Decanting is virtually a must unless you are hard core rustic red wine lover. Pair with grilled or roasted beef, lamb, venison, other wild game, red-meat-based pasta dishes with tomato sauce. Very nice value-for-price position. $10-11
