2019 Carlos Basso Dos Fincas Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Tasting Notes
Shows jammy berry aromas backed by plump blackberry and strawberry flavors. Solid and flush throughout with surprising softness.
The use of two separate vineyards in Argentina is a traditional practice to safeguard against the threat of hail. For the Basso family, it also allows them to make a more interesting blend by combining the attributes of two distinct microclimates. The dark, powerful fruit from their vineyard in San Carlos, matched with the softer, more nuanced fruit from their vineyard in Tunuyan makes for a memorable wine. A terrific value!
Originally from Genoa, Italy, the Basso Family has been producing wine since 1922, and in Argentina since 1935. Carlos Basso has been a true pioneer in Uco and is one of the great “gentleman farmers” of the region. Since 1996, Basso’s focus has been on two projects: Viña Amalia, the iconic estate in Carrodilla, Uco Valley producing and the “Dos Fincas” (“Two Farms”) wines, born of two distinct vineyards in Uco. The style is fresh and aromatic, with Uco’s floral notes and black fruit showcased to beautiful effect. The value is remarkable considering the impeccable sourcing and boutique scale of production.
The legacy continues: Carlos’ son Adolfo is now directing all day-to-day efforts at the winery and is cut from the same cloth as his father: a wonderfully talented winemaker, an innovator constantly in pursuit of perfecting his craft as well as a kind & gracious soul.
Originally from Genoa, Italy, the Basso Family has been producing wine since 1922. In the beginning, they owned the “Purísima” winery from where they sold wines in 220-liter wooden barrels.
In 1935, Carlos Basso, together with his brother Tulio, purchased the “Santa Ana” winery, eventually turning it into one of Argentina’s largest premium brands. Seeking to simplify their lives and once again become involved in small production winemaking, the family sold “Santa Ana” in 1996. Using the profits from this sale the Basso’s purchased and remodeled a small winery in Carrodilla, Mendoza the following year. Inside this space, the Vina Amalia winery was born. The winery uses 100% estate fruit, with two vineyards in Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Carlos and his son Adolfo run the day-to-day operations of the winery.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Labrat reporting for duty. Very excited to evaluate this Argentine Cabernet Malbec blend.
Appearance:
Nearly Opaque, dark garnet. Good legs.
Nose:
Plum, blackberry, and red current on the nose. Fresh and enticing, drawing you in for a taste. A little green herbal note, maybe a faint cedar hint.
Taste: Lovely Strawberry and blackberry notes.
Mild acidity and decent tannins lead to a nice softness, but with some drying on the palate.
We paired it with a prime ribeye, grilled blue cheese mashed potatoes, and cabbage cacio e pepe. The Ribeye and Mashed potato pairing were on point. Worked nicely with the wine. The cabbage. Not so much. What wine fricking pairs with cabbage?
The delightful pairing was the double chocolate cake my wife had from Portillo’s for her birthday. (If you know, you know). It was blissful.
Nice wine with food, with a beautiful round mouthfeel.
@efamily Mmm, the cabbage quandary. such a great and durable vegetable that at times sustained humans for thousands of years. I would say an oakey Chardonnay or Viognier. If used in Kimchi, a good Riesling or NZ Sauv Blanc probably.
But your dinner menu sounds good; is the caccio e Pepe made normally but with sautéed cabbage?
@efamily@Lidio I’m not sure of where @efamily lives, but there are dozens of Portillo’s restaurants around the Chicago area (and elsewhere). Interesting that their chocolate cake says “1 serving”! (Also, the whole cake sells for $28.99 if you pick it up at one of their locations.)
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Carlos Basso Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec - $20 = 16.66%
Just want to give Mrs. WdD a shout-out. She took a taste of my wine yesterday and correctly identified it as a Malbec on the first try - and she wasn’t even trying!
2019 Carlos Basso Dos Fincas Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$179.88/Case for 12x 2019 Carlos Basso Dos Fincas Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina at Elixir Wine Group
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Sep 16 - Tuesday, Sep 17
Labrat reporting for duty. Very excited to evaluate this Argentine Cabernet Malbec blend.
Appearance:
Nearly Opaque, dark garnet. Good legs.
Nose:
Plum, blackberry, and red current on the nose. Fresh and enticing, drawing you in for a taste. A little green herbal note, maybe a faint cedar hint.
Taste: Lovely Strawberry and blackberry notes.
Mild acidity and decent tannins lead to a nice softness, but with some drying on the palate.
We paired it with a prime ribeye, grilled blue cheese mashed potatoes, and cabbage cacio e pepe. The Ribeye and Mashed potato pairing were on point. Worked nicely with the wine. The cabbage. Not so much. What wine fricking pairs with cabbage?
The delightful pairing was the double chocolate cake my wife had from Portillo’s for her birthday. (If you know, you know). It was blissful.
Nice wine with food, with a beautiful round mouthfeel.
@efamily Mmm, the cabbage quandary. such a great and durable vegetable that at times sustained humans for thousands of years. I would say an oakey Chardonnay or Viognier. If used in Kimchi, a good Riesling or NZ Sauv Blanc probably.
But your dinner menu sounds good; is the caccio e Pepe made normally but with sautéed cabbage?
@efamily There’s a bodega-like shop in East Boston called “Portillo Food Market”… but something tells me they do not have the chocolate cake I seek.
@efamily @Lidio I’m not sure of where @efamily lives, but there are dozens of Portillo’s restaurants around the Chicago area (and elsewhere). Interesting that their chocolate cake says “1 serving”! (Also, the whole cake sells for $28.99 if you pick it up at one of their locations.)
@Lidio Nope, Portillos chain from the Midwest.
@Lidio @Mark_L Yes! Portillo’s Chocolate Cake for the win! “1 Serving”
@pmarin Yes exactly, with cabbage and no pasta.
2019 Carlos Basso Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec
6 bottles for $59.99 $10/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $99.99 $8.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Carlos Basso Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec - $20 = 16.66%
Obviously banned in PA bc it doesnt pair with cabbage! Damn those Amish food groups!
@KSchweitz
Just want to give Mrs. WdD a shout-out. She took a taste of my wine yesterday and correctly identified it as a Malbec on the first try - and she wasn’t even trying!