Chakana ‘Estate Selection’ Malbec 2021
Grape Varietal: 100% Malbec
Growing Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza - Argentina
*Chief Winemaker: Gabriel Bloise
*New Winemaking Team: Leonardo Devia & Luciana Soler
Chakana make generous, approachable, honesty, early drinking wines which have balanced varietal characters that reward your taste buds. The family and vineyard team understand their vines and with careful hand harvesting, pick the fruit at just the right time. And have crafted another wine that will match many cuisine moments. Gabriel along with the new winemaking team believe that the best wines are those that do not bear the mark of those who made them, but of terroir.
The Malbec for this wine was selected from a number of vineyard sites - with the majority of the prime fruit coming from 3 sub-areas within the Uco Valley in Mendoza. These vineyards have the dynamic feature of being at around 1100 meters above sea-level. So warm days and cool nights (ideal diurnal difference) and low pressure of vine diseases. The 2021 growing season, was a challenge from start to finish, but the selected fruit has an appealing nature. After harvesting, the fruit went through low intervention traditional vinification. Then once the team was happy with the colour and flavour extraction – around 70% of the wine was transferred into aged French oak barrels and the remainder into concrete tanks for 12 months.
★ In your wine glass you will have a rich red colour with shining hue. On the nose you are met by ripe plums, dark berries, mocha-chocolate and subtle wild herb aromas. The palate has a solid core of those dark berry fruits, all nicely infused and in balance revealing a charming character for an approachable grape varietal. With a medium to full mouthfeel with rounded tannins and deft use of oak. The wine confidently expresses those dark berries, hints of dried spice, mocha-chocolate and has a lingering moreish smooth dry finish.
This 2021 Chakana ‘Estate Selection’ Mendoza Malbec has 14% Alc./vol. Made in a classic dry style. No decanting required and serve in a appropriately shaped red wine glass 16°- 17°C. *NZ$30.00
CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 9/5/25)
Drinking perfectly well this season; and will age well for another 3 - 4 years.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with bbq’d, grilled and cured mild meats, mixed kebabs, slow cooked spiced dishes, varied pasta’s & mushroom lasagne along with hard cheeses - enjoy.
