Luca Wines Luca Old Vine Malbec Review
This was an easy drinking Malbec that, because of the quality level, didn’t require production tricks resulting in a sweet, flabby red wine. It’s made from 50-year old vines in a high-altitude vineyard (3500 feet) and comes with myriad high ratings (92-95 points) from Wine Spectator, James Suckling, and Wine Advocate.
Wine review by: Jessyca Frederick |
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About this Wine
Wine: 2019 Luca Old Vine Malbec
Blend: 100% Malbec
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
Retail price: $35
I consumed it: September 2022
My source: The Bold Reds Series by International Wine of the Month Club
Discover More
From this wine club: The Bold Reds Series by International Wine of the Month Club
From this winery: Luca Wines
Region: Argentina
Wine color/style: Red wine
Grape variety or blend: Malbec
Tasting notes: Smooth tannin, Espresso, Violet, Black fruit, Blue fruit
Luca Old Vine Malbec: What I think
Malbec is produced to be sold at a variety of prices. While many of us are mostly familiar with large-production Argentinian Malbec sold for less than $15 a bottle, there are some great options when you’re ready to upgrade. Many Reserve level and premium Malbecs can be had at a great value when compared to similar-quality red wines made from other grapes.
This Luca Old Vine Malbec is a great example. It’s made from 50-year old vines in a high-altitude vineyard (3500 feet) and comes with myriad high ratings (92-95 points) from Wine Spectator, James Suckling, and Wine Advocate. The affordable price of $35 for such a well-regarded wine can be chalked up to a generous production of 7000 cases per year.
Rather than call this a Bold Red, I’d call this a smooth red. This was an easy drinking Malbec that, because of the quality level, didn’t require production tricks resulting in a sweet, flabby red wine. It has delicate spice, hints of espresso and violet, and enjoyable notes of black and blue fruits.
Last updated: March 21, 2023
Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).
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