It’s been quite a while since I’ve been able to enjoy a Malbec Monday with you! Life can move pretty fast and before you know it, it’s been months since you’ve gotten together.

To get back in the swing, I chose a random pick; I hadn’t done any research before going to the wine store. What intrigued me abut this wine was the blend: 60% Malbec, 40% Bonarda.

Bonarda ~ Until recently, this was one of the most widely planted grapes in Argentina; Malbec has now eclipsed Bonarda. A high yield grape, Bonarda is usually cultivated on flatter, warmer regions, and is usually picked at the end of harvest to ensure that it fully ripens. Mainly used to produce large quantity, easy drinking table wines, Bonarda is light bodied, lo tannin, fruity wine. and perfect to blend with Malbec to give a little more depth of flavor. Bonarda, on its own, is ready to drink early on. It’s also a versatile little chameleon; it can easily be made into white wine, sparkling, rose, or traditional red.

Flavor profile: Ranges from, plum, cherry jammy to fig, raisin ~ higher altitude plantings yield herbal and rose flavors. Oak aging brings out chocolate and delicate leather aromas.

Plays well with: chicken, beef, cedar plank salmon steaks, and anything sweet and sour. 

Malbec ~ We’ve gone over this before but it never hurts to have a review. Cooler condition Malbec grapes are more hardy, with dense skins and produce lusty wines that have higher acidity and tannins. These wines can be cellared for a while as compared to their lower- altitude relatives who have thinner skins, lighter bodied, and are best consumed young. Many are aged on concrete and then oak to intensify flavors.

Flavor profile: Cherry, plum, raspberry and currant. Generous oak gives a vanilla, smoke and slightly spicy vibe.

Plays well with: dark meat poultry, roast pork, lean cuts of meat (sirloin, filet), buffalo burgers.

This Tikal Patriota did not disappoint. It had flavors of bright cherry, creamy vanilla and a hint of spice. Beautiful rich scents of currant and smoke on the nose, with medium to high acidity.

So cheers to being Patriota-ic on this Malbec Monday! And enjoy thoroughly!

Next post: My spooky annual Halloween wine round up. Stay tuned!

Cheers!