Finca El Origen Reserva - Malbec - 2022

$20.99

Uco Valley Malbec at a fair price. Finca El Origen farms high in Mendoza, with sites in Los Chacayes at 1,200 meters and Vista Flores around 3,900 feet, where alluvial soils full of pebble and sand drain hard and the desert climate swings cold at night. That gives thick skins, deep color, floral aromatics. James Suckling gave the 2022 ninety-one points. A weeknight steak wine that punches above its shelf tag.

Dark plum, cherry blossom, lavender and pink peppercorn. Creamy and fruit forward, sweet berry and floral notes, ripe tannins, full body. Blackberry and spice carry into a long finish.

Empanadas first. Then game, hard aged cheeses, or a pasta with a long-cooked meat sauce.

The estate works several high sites in the Uco Valley, including Finca La Esperanza at 1,200 meters and Las Pintadas at Colonia Las Rosas around 1,000 meters. Deep permeable alluvial soils, heavy sun, wide day-to-night temperature swings.