This document provides information about Malbec wines from Argentina. It discusses the terroir and climate of Argentinian vineyards, important wine regions like Mendoza, and key grape varieties. Four specific Malbec wines are highlighted - Luigi Boscas Gala 1 2010 and Finca Los Nobles 2009, Catena Hawksmoor Malbec Blend No. 7 2011, and J. Alberto 2012. Pairing suggestions are provided for each wine. A Robert Mondavi quote emphasizes that a great Malbec should have deep color, black fruit aromas with oak hints, and a soft mouthfeel.

1. HAWKSMOOR
[argentine] MALBEC MASTER CLASS

2. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
TERROIR & CLIMATE
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In the top 10 wine producers (by
volume) in the world
Vines planted by Spanish
colonisers in the mid 16th
century
Semi-desert landscapes, very dry
and hot climate
Vineyards at high altitude (as
high as 3,000m)
High diurnal temperature
variation

3. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
IMPORTANT REGIONS
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Mendoza
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Responsible for over half of the
entire wine production of
South America
Sub regions: Lujan de Cuyo,
Uco Valley, San Rafael
Neuquen and Rio Negro
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The nucleus of the Argentine
wine industry
One of the world's least
obvious places for quality
viticulture
Mostly flat and is Argentina's
coolest wine region
Salta, San Juan and La Rioja

4. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
KEY GRAPE VARIETIES - MALBEC
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Originally one of the minor
blending varieties of Bordeaux,
and the main variety in Cahors
Warmer climate: thicker skin →
high acidity and tannins
Cooler climate: thinner skins →
lighter, juicier
Malbec is a very heavy red and
it takes to new oak very well
Associated flavours include
plums, currants, dark cherries
and raspberries

5. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
LUIGI BOSCA GALA 1 2010
If you do brave the Gala 1, bring a helmet, a large piece of
steak and some time
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85% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Tannat
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50 years old vineyards
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Carrodilla, and Finca Los Nobles, Las
Compuertas (Mendoza)
a,
Altitude 960 / 820 / 1050 m
A muscular, elegant wine; deep red, with rich
aromas of red fruit and delicate spiced notes.
Harmonious, full-bodied and persistent, flavours
matching the nose with a vanilla trail in the palate
A perfect match for rib-eye, spiced stewed meat,
and stuffed meat

6. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
CATENA “HAWKSMOOR MALBEC”
BLEND NO. 7 2011
If Mendoza had a Royal Family it would be the Catena Zapata
dynasty
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85% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5%
Cabernet Franc
60 years old vineyards
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La Piramide, Adrianna, Nicasia, Angelica Sur
(Mendoza)
Altitude from 920 m up to 1450 m
Lovely blackberry and blackcurrant aromas, some
very well integrated tannin, a refreshing acidity and
a great, elegant structure with subtle notes of
vanilla on the finish.
Matches our steaks perfectly, especially the Rib-eye

7. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
LUIGI BOSCA FINCA LOS NOBLES 2009
A wine that pays tribute to the terroir where the grapes come
from
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Malbec (predominant) and Petit Verdot (mixed at
the vineyard)
90 years old vineyards
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Finca Los Nobles, Las Compuertas (Lujan de
Cuyo)
Altitude 1,050 m
Lovely vivid spicy nose with hints of coffee, cherry
and violet. The palate is concentrated and bold,
achieves vanilla aromas after ageing 24 months in
new French oak casks and 14 months in bottles.
Balanced and complex. Velvety finish in the mouth
A good match with braised meat, game, pork, lamb,
hard cheeses

8. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
J. ALBERTO 2012
Famous for it's pears & apples productions, in Rio Negro,
Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano makes wine
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95% Malbec, 5% Merlot
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Vines planted in 1955
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Original rootstocks, irrigated up to four times
a year.
Vineyard is certified Organic and Biodynamic
Altitude 250 m
Cloudy, dark raspberry colour; hibiscus, floral,
strawberry nose with a match on the palate. It's
bright and lush, elegant with zesty fruit, it's a malbec
of refinement rather than weight with fresh tannins.
Match with poultry or game but also with the
meatier type of fish

9. Hawksmoor | Malbec Master Class
“A great Malbec should impress
through its attractive and deep
purple colour, its intense black
fruit aromas with a hint of oak,
and its sweet mouthfeel, soft as
the bottom of a newborn baby...”
- Robert Mondavi when he visited the
Trapiche winery in 1994 -