Deep ruby color; black cherry, plum, raspberry, strawberry, violets on the nose; plum, black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, herbs, pepper on the palate.
Dry; subtle tannins with balancing acidity; slightly rough mouthfeel that softens with air. Medium body. Dark fruit forward. Pure malbec play. Grapes de-stemmed and crushed. Maceration—exposing the juice to the skins and stems to extract phenolics (tannins, color, flavor precursors, glycosides) prior to fermentation. Fermented 20 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel. Natural malolactic fermentation. Only a thoughtful 15% of the wine aged with oak staves; the remainder in stainless steel. 13.8% ABV
With production approaching four million gallons, sustaining quality is a significant achievement. This compares similarly to the previous vintages. With the huge production—approaching 20 million bottles—and good distribution, this is very widely available. And well worth a try as a go-to, everyday malbec.
Established in 1996 by the Chilean wine giant Concha y Toro, Trivento is one of Argentina’s larger and most-respected estates. Mendoza is the country’s premier wine regions. Trivento’s name means “Three Winds”—it is a reference to the three winds (Polar, Zonda, Sudestada) that sweep through Mendoza and are a distinguishing feature of the region’s climate and environment.
Trivento is part of Excelsior Wine Estates, a sales and marketing partnership of Banfi Vintners and Concha y Toro to sell in the U.S. market. Excelsior is the exclusive distributor of the Chilean wines of Concha y Toro, Trivento, and the California wines Little Black Dress and Five Rivers. So, this is an excellent effort from a major player in the wine world, and—as Argentine malbecs usually are inclined to be—an outstanding bargain.
The website notes their prominent position: “We have forged an exclusive portfolio of wines that preserve the character of Mendoza’s terroirs and defy the moods of the winds. The continuous investment and research in technologies, infrastructure and know-how, positions us among the main exporters of bottled wine in the country and as the best-selling Argentine wine brand in Europe. The company’s human rights, environment, and quality and safety policies are supported by its 420 employees and the millions of consumers around the world who choose it.”
Trivento Reserve Malbec, Mendoza 2020 is well-made, everyday malbec. Dependable quality vintage after vintage. This is varietally-correct expression of Argentina’s signature grape. The makers allow the land and the grapes to speak with very limited oak. Outstanding quality-price ratio. Pair lighter beef cuts; lamb; poultry; pork; veal; pizza; comfort food—meatloaf, burgers, sliders. Cheese—asiago, muenster, gouda, brie, gorgonzola, camembert, cheddar. $10-12
