With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Malbec Masters provides a chance for your wines to star, whether they hail from the great vineyards of Europe or lesser-known winemaking areas of the world. In the glass, this Argentine wine shines in a strong ruby red with purple reflections. The nose reveals intense notes of juicy plums and plums, ripe cherries and raspberries - accented by hints of chocolate. On the palate, this red wine presents a fruity, juicy, subtly mineral character, accompanied by a gentle tannic framework. The finish radiates red fruits once again and convinces with a wonderful length. Vinification of the Trapiche Malbec Pure

Indeed, Catena seems to be providing the most powerful argument for an upwards revision of Malbec’s quality potential, and an improvement of its global reputation – and, to add controversy to this compliment, even provide a reason to elevate the grape to ‘noble’ status alongside the likes of Cabernet. Meanwhile, we’ve seen other developments take place in the Malbecs from other nations. In past competitions, we’ve seen a real rise in the quality of wines from Chile, which tend not to be as intensely fruity as the Malbecs from Argentina, but offer an appealing spice and tannic structure, as well as an excellent blending component for Cabernet and Syrah. Please read on to see the results in full from this year’s competition, as well as our judges’ comments, and further information about The Global Malbec Masters. Why was Cahors not caught up in the Malbec craze? For a start, few knew that this part of France, where the wines are sold by their regional designation rather than grape, was a source of Malbec, let alone the historical home of the variety.Brisk acidity, well-controlled tannins and appropriate use of oak with high alcohol less evident are all attractive features in the wines judged. Even at the end, not too much palatefatigue. Other positive aspects of the tasting were the blends of Malbec and other, mostly Bordelais, varieties. In the past, the former were the best examples at the cheaper end and the latter were the best examples at the top end. OVER THE years we’ve been running The Global Malbec Masters, we’ve witnessed a number of changes taking place among the wines made from this fashionable grape. Many of these have concerned the Malbecs from Argentina, and primarily Mendoza, where we’ve seen a gradual shift from almost over-ripe styles, sometimes overlaid with sweet barrel-sourced flavours, to brighter wines with less overt oak influence.

After the grape harvest, the mash is fermented in stainless steel tanks. There it remains on the lees for a total of 8 months (sur lie aging). Subsequently, this wine continues to rest in concrete tanks. A special way to develop a wine and therefore also 100% unoaked. Food recommendation for the Pure Malbec TrapicheThis year it was another nation that came into the spotlight – France, and above all Cahors, an area in the southwest of the country that’s thought to be the native home of the grape.