This is without question one of our favorite Malbec bottlings in terms of authenticity, character, and depth. Rarely do we come across a wine that communicates “place” as this does. Brilliant color, wild aromatics, rich mid-palate, incredible texture, this has it all.
Deep ruby red color with some bluish highlights. Aromas of red fruits, such as sweet plums combined with hints of vanilla and chocolate. Slightly spicy. Mouthfeel is long and gentle with soft tannins which finish in a lingering, rich aftertaste. Pair with grilled meats and pasta with red sauce.
Elaboration: Classic fermentation with prolonged maceration between 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Aged 12 months in second and third use French oak. Unfined and unfiltered.
Martino Wines is located in the town of Luján de Cuyo, just 20 minutes from the city of Mendoza, its winery dates from the beginning of the century, 1901. Its construction is typical of the late nineteenth century with thick adobe walls, ceilings of cane and mud cake. It was acquired by Martino Wines in 2012 and restored and later re-insured in 2013, maintaining its original structure and functionality. The winery is equipped with the highest technology to vinify the grapes from the vineyards of the most exclusive regions of Mendoza, respecting the environment and making responsible use of natural resources.
The 18.5-acre estate vineyard is situated at 3850 feet above sea level in Agrelo, a sub-district within the Luján de Cuyo appellation of Mendoza. The ungrafted Malbec vines were planted in 1942. Stylistically, Fincas Don Martino stands solidly in the old-school camp, with savory aromatics (cigar bands, polished leather, coffee) balancing floral lift.
In 2015 the winery was expanded with a new tank room, barrel room and fractionation room in order to increase production capacity. We are the winery chosen by prestigious premium range producers to carry out the production of their wines.
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
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2021 Martino Viña Violeta Malbec - $25 = 16.67%
Viña Violeta, 2021, Old Vine, Single Vineyard, Mendoza Argentina Malbec.
100% Malbec, Non-Grafted, French Clone…Check
Vineyard at 3850 feet, Planted in 1942…Check
Rocky & Alluvial Soil, 6” of Rainfall/year…Check
Prolonged Maceration, Native Yeast, 14.5%…Check
12 Months in 100% 2nd and 3rd use French Oak…Check
I think I’m gonna like this!
My thanks to Alice and the crew at Casemates. You must have known that today is my birthday…Happy Birthday to me!
Back to the wine. Checked CellarTracker, older vintages get better ratings, Pro Ratings are 90 and 91 Points, and the 2022 is out (Southern Hemisphere).
I was also sent a new Casemates glass, but I pulled out the big guns for this one.
This wine is dark, not opaque, but substantial, a regal dark maroon color. The nose is nice, brooding, tentative, dark fruits, is that licorice? Some alcohol on the nose, but not too much (14.5% is about right). So far so good. I’m procrastinating now, swirling, sniffing (if you call inserting my nose as deeply into the glass as possible and inhaling like a yogi, “sniffing”)…gotta give it a chance.
OK, I’m going to be critical. Mind you, this is not your average fruity grocery store Malbec. It’s not real smooth, it’s got a little bitterness, like the pith of a citrus fruit, but no harsh tannins on the end. The wine is dry and the fruit is dark with a hint of citrus, maybe grapefruit. The finish is medium and pleasant. Let’s try this with some food. Stuffed peppers are on the menu, with the 60/40 Brisket/Short Rib mix made for me by my meat guy.
Yes, it compliments the peppers nicely, could easily go with Burgers, Italian or BBQ. Wow! Goes well with Dill Pickles and Green Olives too! I get it! This wine is Old-World, and does it very well. This may be one of the best young Bordeauxs I’ve ever had. Let’s see what tomorrow holds for this wine…will it age well (I predict that it will).
4:23AM. (I do this for you) Yes, this puppy will cellar well.
Conclusion: In my opinion, all the clues are there, but I had difficulty realizing what this wine is. This is a well-made Bordeaux. It is good now, but will reward those with patience. It can be had for $18.99 elsewhere, so I was hoping that we would get an offer of somewhere around $12/bottle. Our case price is even less. For those of you who like old-world wines, this is a steal! I’ma buy a case and put it in the back of the cellar…my future self will think I’m a genius!
@danidani12@kaolis Thanks. Malbec is a Bordeaux varietal that is usually used for blending. And, some of those rich French guys went over to Argentina to provide input for winemaking. Probably bought cheap vineyards too. But, you knew that.
Thank you to Alice and co for the bottle and the glass and the opportunity to opine with you fine folk.
On to the review!
Bottle & Pour:
It’s a classically styled bottle - has an old world feel to it. Handsome. Pours like a classic Malbec a shade more toward purple than the traditional inky black - almost opaque long thick legs
Nose:
Some cherry, vanilla, baking spice and chocolate a whiff of alcohol
Taste:
True to the nose - some cherry, vanilla, a bit of dried herb - very long finish, medium body (would have benefited from being fuller imo) medium to high acid - soft tannins but present.
Now some commentary:
This wine was… well… not great Bob. Not great indeed. My wife refused to deeper after a few sips and I struggled to drink this without food. It has a bitter component to it that we just can’t get past. Reminiscent of the old bitter beer face. It’s remarkably better with food but the bar was low.
Honestly I think you could do better here.
Gratitude to Alice and co. The anticipation and the experience was still grand. Thank you much!
Ps I can’t seem to figure out how to add the pics I took. If I figure it out I’ll amend. Apologies.
Seems to be 3 different labels for this wine? Or 3 different wines? There is the label in the offering, the label on FritzCat’s rat bottle, and a different label on Elixir’s website. All show 2021 so doesn’t seem to be generic bottle shots…but who knows what gets imported/exported and so on
Spectator said:
90 Points. This medium-bodied red opens with layers of savory, thyme and leather notes that join a core of spiced cherry pastry, with details of chalky saline notes folding in, echoing back to the core flavors on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 2,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. 11/22
2021 Martino Viña Violeta Malbec
90 Points, Wine Spectator
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$227.88/Case for 12x 2021 Martino Viña Violeta Malbec at elixir wines
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, Oct 16 - Wednesday, Oct 18
2021 Martino Viña Violeta Malbec
6 bottles for $74.99 $12.50/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $124.99 $10.42/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).
2021 Martino Viña Violeta Malbec - $25 = 16.67%
Viña Violeta, 2021, Old Vine, Single Vineyard, Mendoza Argentina Malbec.
100% Malbec, Non-Grafted, French Clone…Check
Vineyard at 3850 feet, Planted in 1942…Check
Rocky & Alluvial Soil, 6” of Rainfall/year…Check
Prolonged Maceration, Native Yeast, 14.5%…Check
12 Months in 100% 2nd and 3rd use French Oak…Check
I think I’m gonna like this!
My thanks to Alice and the crew at Casemates. You must have known that today is my birthday…Happy Birthday to me!
Back to the wine. Checked CellarTracker, older vintages get better ratings, Pro Ratings are 90 and 91 Points, and the 2022 is out (Southern Hemisphere).
I was also sent a new Casemates glass, but I pulled out the big guns for this one.
This wine is dark, not opaque, but substantial, a regal dark maroon color. The nose is nice, brooding, tentative, dark fruits, is that licorice? Some alcohol on the nose, but not too much (14.5% is about right). So far so good. I’m procrastinating now, swirling, sniffing (if you call inserting my nose as deeply into the glass as possible and inhaling like a yogi, “sniffing”)…gotta give it a chance.
OK, I’m going to be critical. Mind you, this is not your average fruity grocery store Malbec. It’s not real smooth, it’s got a little bitterness, like the pith of a citrus fruit, but no harsh tannins on the end. The wine is dry and the fruit is dark with a hint of citrus, maybe grapefruit. The finish is medium and pleasant. Let’s try this with some food. Stuffed peppers are on the menu, with the 60/40 Brisket/Short Rib mix made for me by my meat guy.
Yes, it compliments the peppers nicely, could easily go with Burgers, Italian or BBQ. Wow! Goes well with Dill Pickles and Green Olives too! I get it! This wine is Old-World, and does it very well. This may be one of the best young Bordeauxs I’ve ever had. Let’s see what tomorrow holds for this wine…will it age well (I predict that it will).
4:23AM. (I do this for you) Yes, this puppy will cellar well.
Conclusion: In my opinion, all the clues are there, but I had difficulty realizing what this wine is. This is a well-made Bordeaux. It is good now, but will reward those with patience. It can be had for $18.99 elsewhere, so I was hoping that we would get an offer of somewhere around $12/bottle. Our case price is even less. For those of you who like old-world wines, this is a steal! I’ma buy a case and put it in the back of the cellar…my future self will think I’m a genius!
@FritzCat I’m in! By the way, “Violeta”, SWMBO detected floral notes…just sayin’.
@FritzCat happy birthday!!
@danidani12 @FritzCat Happy birthday! And hey…when did Argentina start producing Bordeaux? ha!
@danidani12 @kaolis Thanks. Malbec is a Bordeaux varietal that is usually used for blending. And, some of those rich French guys went over to Argentina to provide input for winemaking. Probably bought cheap vineyards too. But, you knew that.
@FritzCat Another 12 hours on the counter. Better integrated. Better flavor. Still has that old-world dryness at the finish.
@FritzCat
Thank you to Alice and co for the bottle and the glass and the opportunity to opine with you fine folk.
On to the review!
Bottle & Pour:
It’s a classically styled bottle - has an old world feel to it. Handsome. Pours like a classic Malbec a shade more toward purple than the traditional inky black - almost opaque long thick legs
Nose:
Some cherry, vanilla, baking spice and chocolate a whiff of alcohol
Taste:
True to the nose - some cherry, vanilla, a bit of dried herb - very long finish, medium body (would have benefited from being fuller imo) medium to high acid - soft tannins but present.
Now some commentary:
This wine was… well… not great Bob. Not great indeed. My wife refused to deeper after a few sips and I struggled to drink this without food. It has a bitter component to it that we just can’t get past. Reminiscent of the old bitter beer face. It’s remarkably better with food but the bar was low.
Honestly I think you could do better here.
Gratitude to Alice and co. The anticipation and the experience was still grand. Thank you much!
Ps I can’t seem to figure out how to add the pics I took. If I figure it out I’ll amend. Apologies.
@pete0744 if from a phone, start in landscape. Moon and mountain icon below the compose area. Apple images not in jpg or png don’t work.
@pete0744 We took that slight bitter flavor as a feature, not a bug.
Seems to be 3 different labels for this wine? Or 3 different wines? There is the label in the offering, the label on FritzCat’s rat bottle, and a different label on Elixir’s website. All show 2021 so doesn’t seem to be generic bottle shots…but who knows what gets imported/exported and so on
Spectator said:
90 Points. This medium-bodied red opens with layers of savory, thyme and leather notes that join a core of spiced cherry pastry, with details of chalky saline notes folding in, echoing back to the core flavors on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 2,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. 11/22
fwiw
