Trapiche, the most Innovative Argentine Winery
Trapiche Winery’s wines stand out for their elegance and personality, with Malbec being their flagship variety. In this article, we will tell you a brief summary of the story of this winery. And finally, we’ll introduce you to some of its most recognized Malbec.
Table of Contents
What type of wine is Trapiche?
Combining tradition and cutting-edge technology, the Trapiche winery produces high-quality wines. The Fond de Cave, Colección Roble, Fond de Cave Reserva, Medalla, Gran Medalla, Iscay and Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard are wines that receive exceptional care from the vineyard itself.
Trapiche has 1,255 hectares of its own plantations and also works together with more than 300 producers from different areas of the Mendoza province. The winery advises them in all stages of vine growth to maintain the quality of the wines and constantly improve it. Trapiche has an outstanding team of wine experts led by winemaker Sergio Casé.
The Story of Trapiche Winery
In 1883, a family of Italian immigrants founded Trapiche in Mendoza, Argentina. Therefore, it was one of the first wineries in Argentina. This vineyard has always been characterized by innovation. So, it became a pioneer in the introduction of strains of French origin and the creation of varietal wines, as well as the importation of oak barrels from France and the use of stainless steel tanks. Nowadays, these aspects are crucial to getting a wine of exceptional quality.
On the other hand, it was also one of the first Argentine wineries to export and produce premium wines. In recent years, Trapiche has been recognized by prestigious specialized media, such as Jamessuckling.com, Decanter and Wine Spectator. Also, the WRW&S (The World Ranking Wines & Spirits recognized it as “The Most Awarded Argentine Winery in the World” for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, the prestigious English publication Drinks International chose it among the “50 Most Admired Wine Brands”. It has also been the only winery in Argentina to obtain five nominations: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 & 2019. So, in 2019, Wine Enthusiast awarded it as the “Best New World Winery”.
One of Trapiche’s latest innovations was to open a winery a few kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean, something unthinkable in Argentina.
Who owns Trapiche nowadays?
Trapiche belongs to the Bemberg Group, owner of the Peñaflor wineries. This company is among the ten leading wine production companies worldwide. Peñaflor also owns the El Esteco, Las Moras, Navarro Correas, Santa Ana, Suter, San Telmo and Mascota Vineyards brands, among others.
The group got to position itself as the largest Argentine exporter of bottled wine. So, it is the leading producer of Malbec in the world. This company has annual exports of US$180 million. On the other hand, the Bemberg Group acquired a controlling stake in the company WX Brands. This is one of the largest wine distributors in the United States.
What is Trapiche in English?
The trapiche is a mill to extract the juice of cane. It is usually used to obtain sugar. In the past, this machine worked with animal traction. But nowadays, trapiches use electricity or gasoline motors.
Trapiche Malbec Wines
Here is our selection of Trapiche Malbec Wines.
Alaris Malbec
Red in colour with violet hues, this wine opens with fruity aromas of plums, cherries and traces of spices and wet leather. In the mouth, it presents a round flavour with a seductive touch of truffles and vanilla. After brief ageing in oak, this wine gets finesse and enhances the noble characteristics of the variety. Alaris combines with empanadas and your favourite series. So, this great value Malbec is a smooth and easy-drinking wine.
- Ageing potential: 1 year
- Service: We recommend drinking this Malbec between 15 and 17°C.
Fond de Cave Reserva Malbec
Fond de Cave is one of the best-kept secrets of Trapiche. This intense purple-red colour wine with ruby hues expresses character, elegance and sophistication. With 14 months in French oak, its tannins are soft and sweet, so this is an easy-drinking Malbec. A deep, complex nose gives up layers of black fruit jam and an elegant touch of smoke, vanilla and chocolate. Generous and ripe on the palate, Fond de Cave delivers an incredibly long, textural finish.
To sum up, Fond de Cave is ideal for enjoying any time. It’s not just a very nice Malbec, it offers as well great value for money. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
- Varietal: 100 % Malbec
- Service: We recommend drinking it between 16 and 18 degrees, uncovering 15 minutes before serving.
- Ageing potential: 6 years
Origen
Trapiche made this wine the old-fashioned way, with few additives and without wood, of course. So, this is a low-intervention wine. This ruby-coloured red Malbec holds the Uco Valley’s ultimate expression. You’ll find aromas of a typical Malbec, among which ripe plums stand out, and flavours of cherry and red fruits.
Velvety, kind tannins find a fruity finish with small toasted notes supported by mouthwatering acidity. Very fruity and enjoyable wine. The result is an easy-drinking Malbec that deserves a chance.
Trapiche Reserva Malbec
Trapiche Reserva is an emblematic wine born at the foot of the Andes Mountains that showcases the excellence of Trapiche Winery. This Malbec is defined by its delicacy, harmony and complexity, given by its ageing in French and American oak for 12 months.
With an intense purplish-red colour, this Malbec expresses sweet aromas of blackberries and plums, with smoky notes with an elegant presence of vanilla. You will find a velvety texture in your mouth with a friendly and persistent finish.
In a nutshell, Trapiche Reserva is a wine that delivers on all fronts. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience the power and balance of Trapiche Reserva Malbec.
- Varietal: 100 % Malbec
- Service: We recommend drinking it between 16 and 18 degrees.
- Ageing: French and American oak for 12 months.
- Ageing potential: 4 years
- Pairing with mature cheeses, grilled red meats, meals with red sauces, stews and the typical Argentine asado.
Trapiche Medalla Malbec
Trapiche Medalla is an iconic wine from Trapiche Winery, born in 1983. So, Trapiche created this outstanding wine to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the winery. Trapiche Medalla was conceived as a revolutionary wine for its time, but over time it became a classic.
Trapiche Medalla wines originate from vineyards cultivated in the First Wine Region. This is the highest zone of the Mendoza River, the most traditional, where Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown. Besides, it is the place where the producers introduced the first French strains. Here are also the oldest vineyards, which have got a natural balance over time. This has allowed Trapiche to achieve the expected quality for this type of wine.
Over the years, the winery incorporated new barrels and more technology. But they always maintained the style of the First Wine Region. Therefore, Trapiche Medalla is a classic and modern wine at the same time. In addition, it was the first high-end Argentine wine and always preserved its quality standard.
On the other hand, Tim Atkin awarded Trapiche Medalla 91 points. Also, this excellent wine was rated 92 points by James Suckling.
Trapiche Medalla Malbec prances out of the glass with impressively flamboyant scents of ripe fruits, plums, cherries and raisins. Full-bodied, the palate is impactful yet maintains compelling restraint, featuring layers of vanilla, coconut and toasted bread thanks to its ageing in oak. So, its ripe fruit flavours stand out, with spicy notes. What is more, this exceptional wine is framed by firm, exquisitely ripe tannins, finishing with epic length and depth. Without a doubt, this is one of those stunning Malbec that will blow you away. Don’t miss it!
- Aged in first-use French oak barrels for 18 months.
- We recommend drinking it between 16 and 18°C, uncovering 15 minutes before serving.
- Ageing potential: 10 years
Wines comparison table
Prices may vary
