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Argentina is currently the world's fifth largest wine producer by volume and is becoming a serious player in the international wine market. The Argentine wine industry is positioned to reap the benefits of its heritage - old vines, unique geographical conditions - with new technology and a mix of modern and traditional methods. Malbec has become synonymous with Argentine wine in recent years, overshadowing its history in southern France. Malbec was widely planted in Bordeaux in the 1800's, but was not successfully replanted after the phylloxera plague of the 1870's. While it is now used as a minor component in many red Bordeaux wines,so that only in Cahors has it recaptured its prominence of 140 years ago. The Malbec grape today makes more and better wine in Argentina than anywhere in the world It has come a long way since the first vines were planted more than 400 years ago when the monks arrived from Spain.
Like the rest of Argentina's wine-producing
regions, the climate in the Famatina Valley is dry (the average
annual rainfall is 150 mm) and relatively windy. The region has
alluvial soils which are typical of ancient valleys. The altitudes
in this territory are relatively high: between 800 and 1,400 meters
above sea level. Varietal: Malbec
About the Producer: Las Lajas is produced in the Famatina Valley, the center of the La Rioja region.Las Lajas Malbec offers remarkable richness, depth and complexity for its very affordable price. The winery started operations in 2002, with the HACCP standards as part of its management ethos. Full traceability started from day one. The winery is located on the property and meets all the needs of modern winemaking: all stainless tanks and equipment, adequate chilling and cooling, pneumatic bag press, controlled temperature fermentation, high quality wood treatments, pure yeast culture and inert gas use. This technology gives our team the management and control of the quality of the wine. For the Malbec: Fermentation: 6 to 7 days at 28ºC in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Maceration Period: 12 to 20 days in contact with its solid parts and with oak inner staves. Malolactic Fermentation: The wine is pumped to larger vats and kept at 18ºC for malolactic fermentation to occur. Finally the wine is clarified, cold stabilized, filtered and bottled.
Tasting Notes: A lovely deep ruby in color, the '08 Las Lajas Malbec gives a fine visual impression. The bouquet is wonderfully rich and complex with bright plum and blackberry fruit scents underscored by subtleties of vanilla, earth, herbs, allspice and black pepper. On the palate it is luscious, balanced and smooth. The layered, plummy, black cherry fruit of the Malbec grape is backed by hints of toasty oak, herbs, and spices. The subtle vanilla and spice overtones linger nicely at the finish.
Recommended Food Pairings: Try this spicy, velvety red with your favorite rich pasta preparation - it's a fine match. The '08 Las Lajas Malbec also pairs well with a wide range of lamb, beef and richly-flavored fowl recipes. It will provide marvelous drinking pleasure over the next year or two. Grilled Beef, Lamb, wild game, pasta dishes, potages, and cheeses. |
