A Wine for Tonight: 2008 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec



By Kori ~ January 20th, 2011.

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2008 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina.

Our selection criteria include:

  • A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
  • A price tag of <=$15
  • Must be widely available

Trapiche, founded over 125 years ago, is Argentina’s largest exported premium wine brand. They own over 1,000 hectares of their own vineyards and also source fruit from more than 200 other producers throughout Argentina. Trapiche is the leader in Malbec sales in Argentina.

For those of you who are not very familiar with Malbec, its ties go back to Bordeaux, France, where it was originally one of the five varieties used in red Bordeaux blends along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Today it is only used sparingly in Bordeaux but has really come into its own as a stand-alone varietal in Argentina.

“Beautiful, intense red color with violet hues. Sweet aromas of blackberries and plums. Elegant touch of smoke and vanilla. Velvety texture and a sweet, long aftertaste.” –Trapiche

2008 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina): Deep, purplish red in color. Nice nose with blackberry, black cherry, oak, and spice aromas. Blackberry, plum, and licorice come through on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity and medium to high, chewy tannins. Well-balanced with a long finish. The bottle is heavier and nicer than you might expect at this price point making it a great gift wine as well.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $8.79; Available elsewhere, $8 to $13


Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, Argentine Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Malbec, Red Wine, Wines Under $10, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

Reader's Comments

  1. Martin Redmond | January 20th, 2011 at 8:15 am

    The next wine for our wine tasting club is Malbec. I’ll pick up a bottle!

  2. Kori | January 20th, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    Martin,
    Sounds like a great theme. Hope you and your club enjoy it. Cheers!

  3. Renee Keele | January 21st, 2011 at 8:57 am

    Thanks for the post, Malbec is not a wine I drink often. I will use your suggestions and pick up a bottle soon to pair with my meals.

  4. Kori | January 22nd, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    Renee,
    The more Malbec I have, the more I like it. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers!

  5. Bruce Marler | January 24th, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    Malbecs continue to grow on me. A friend of mine has been working on me to like them and they have finally won me over.

  6. Kori | January 24th, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    Bruce,
    Glad to hear it! Cheers to your friend for helping you with your Malbec breakthrough.

  7. Guglielmo Rocchiccioli | January 25th, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    I would like to share the tastng notes of an Argentinian Malbec coming from Salta:

    EL MOLINO DE CACHI BY ALBERTO DURAND – VALLES CALCHAQUÍES 2500 m.a.s.l. – SALTA – ARGENTINA – MALBEC UNOAKED – ESTATE GROWN AND BOTTLED BY ALBERTO DURAND IN BODEGA EL MOLINO – CACHI – VALLE CALCHAQUÍES – SALTA – ARGENTINA 2009 14,8%

    TOTAL PRODUCTION: 2000 BOTTLES

    VISUAL ANALYSIS: limpid, ruby red, quite flowing.

    OLFACTORY ANALYSIS: the olfactory bouquet is composed by redcurrant, red berries, wild rose, grass and musk.

    GUSTATIVE ANALYSIS: it is perceivable a very good mineral taste together with an agreeable astringent note; the final is grass flavoured and just a little bit bitterish. There is a consistent body and a well balanced structure. The gustative aromatic persistence is about 5 seconds.

    WINE-FOOD COMBINATION: empanada salteña (typical Salta dish)

    * The sweet tendency of the meat is counterbalancing the sapidity (mineral salts) of the wine
    * The succulence of the meat is compensating for the astringency of the tannins
    * The sweet tendency of the dough is counterweighing the bitterish sensation of the wine
    * The structure of the recipe is matching to the structure of the wine
    * The gustative persistence of the meat is pairing with the aromatic persistence of the wine

    MY PERSONAL OPINION: it is worth reaching Cachi and tasting this wine with the Durands.

  8. Kyle | November 22nd, 2011 at 7:37 pm

    This was my go to malbec for a long time, It is a very good introduction to Argentine wine although there are better deals to be had in that price range. (Particularly the 2009 Terrazas de los andes malbec!)

  9. Kori | December 6th, 2011 at 11:25 am

    Kyle,
    Glad to hear you enjoy it, too. And thanks for sharing your other recommendation as well. Cheers!