New Year, New World: Explore the Best of Argentina With Trapiche Wines

LIVERMORE, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 20, 2013) - A new year is underway, and if one resolution is to become more adventuresome, expand your oenological horizons by exploring the diversity of Argentinian wines through Trapiche. Argentina's leading exporter of premium wines, Trapiche has honed the craft of winemaking over the course of 130 years. The winery offers a diverse portfolio of wines to experience including award-winning Malbecs, Argentina's signature varietal.

"Argentina's wine-producing regions, particularly Mendoza where Trapiche is located, are ideally suited for growing a number of varietals, but none can compare to our flagship Malbec," says winemaker Daniel Pi, who has studied his craft since the tender age of 12. "We travel the countryside to source the finest grapes for this favorite, and the result is a range of compelling and complex Malbec to suit any occasion, palate and price point."

Whether a novice or a connoisseur, wine drinkers can explore a range of Malbec wines from Trapiche. Distinct tiers offer unique experiences of this signature grape, from the winery's Oak Cask tier to Broquel and single-vineyard selection tiers.

Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec v2011
Aged for nine months in French and American oak barrels, the 2011 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec is purple-colored with a nose that offers up mineral, plum and black cherry notes with a touch of black pepper. The palate is soft and round, with ripe, saturated berry flavors. The wine finishes spicy and full, with chewy tannins.

Trapiche Oak Cask tier is the flagship of the Trapiche estate, representing the very best that Argentina has to offer in combined quality and value. Each Oak Cask selection is sourced from estate and contract vineyards throughout the Mendoza region, from 2500 - 3000 feet above sea level. Grapes are hand-harvested and sorted upon arrival at Trapiche's state-of-the-art winery. Following fermentation in temperature-controlled vats, where as much color, flavor and aroma is extracted as possible, the wines are aged for 9 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels.

Broquel Malbec v2010
A single-vineyard selection from within the estate vineyards in Mendoza, the 2010 Broquel Malbec shows a complex balance of fruit and oak, with notes of currant and berries that lead to a spicy finish. The wine is aged 15 months in a combination of 100 percent new French and American oak barrels.

Broquel-tier wines are sourced from estate vineyards, and in the case of Broquel Malbec, the vineyards average more than 25 years old and are situated at elevations of about 4,000 feet. At this elevation, the fruit achieves maximum ripeness with minimal human interference. The grapes are hand-harvested and then carefully transported, sorted and de-stemmed before being macerated and fermented in small concrete vats for 20 to 25 days.

Single Vineyard Series Cristina y Bibliana Coletto v2008
This top-tier Malbec has a distinct, intense and deep red color with notes of thyme, clove and dried plumon the nose. The wine exhibits flavors of ripe fruit blended with white pepper, licorice and cassis. Full-bodied with silky yet firm tannins, the 2008 Cristina y Bibliana Coletto lingers beautifully with a long finish.

Each harvest, winemaker Daniel Pi and his team select the three best Malbec wines from among more than 90 vineyards throughout Mendoza. These wines receive the Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyards designation, communicating the richness and diversity of the region and conveying the extraordinary potential of the vast array of Argentina's terroir. Produced separately in the Trapiche winery, these wines are true expressions of the unique vineyards from which they originate at about 3700 feet above sea level and salute the independent growers who tend the vines.

About Trapiche
Established in 1883 at the foothills of The Andes in Mendoza, Trapiche is one of Argentina's oldest wineries and its largest exported premium brand with availability in more than 80 countries. Trapiche maintains one of the country's most diverse portfolio of wines -- including a range of award-winning Malbecs -- that speaks to the viticultural history of the region. Led by winemaker Daniel Pi, Trapiche sources premium grapes from Argentina's best winegrowing sites, including more than 2,400 acres of proprietary vineyards and a stable of more than 200 independent growers. Driven by quality, innovation and diversity, Pi and his team utilize winemaking practices that coax the finest and truest expressions from each varietal. To learn more, visit http://www.trapichewines-usa.com/ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/trapicheusa.