Pallie | Barrel Fermented Malbec, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

Tasting Notes: (Nicholas Kalavidas) The near-inky depth in its color almost took my breath away as my original restaurant tasting light was on the ‘dim’ side to sufficiently view the wine’s color.  Intensely bright around the edges of the glass, the color being that of a rough large garnet stone, deep with the density of its color that of the raw stone prior to cutting into a jewel.

The initial power of the first glance is so steeped in elegant French oak, not hinting to overpower the ripeness and concentration of the fruit, as all I could smell was a medley of dark pomegranate, black cherry, cranberry, blackberry and plum jam.

Returning to the glass nearly 20 times seeing more and more of the same but adding world-class ripe-round tannin structure very noticeable up front on the palate, soon rounding down and then juicing up in the mouth.

Immediately, this wine gives the impression that it’s “not here to play”, that it is “just beginning to open up” and that we might just be looking at a true contender in the top shelf of Argentine Malbecs.

The earthy tones, the definite connection to the soil, the ripeness without even a slight hint of being ‘over-ripe’ jumps out of the glass and onto the palate over and over again.

In a single glass of wine, the greatness of this appellation and the classic sense it immediately expresses is more than apparent.  It’s almost like this wine is standing on top of a mountain screaming…..without making a sound.  There is a humility in the strength of this wine.  Powerful out of the glass and around every corner of multiple tastings, yet far from being a wine that is ‘in your face’ with an attitude (as many wines in this category can be).  There’s no ego to this wine…..but it certainly carries the qualities of a wine that could have one.

The 15.2 alcohol in this wine feels more like a 13.8 and incredibly integrated.  It seems that the alcohol ripeness is just sufficient to carry the depth of its aromatics, flavors, tannins and textures.

From start to finish there was nothing, not even a hint, of something that would detract me from stating “this is a great wine” and very apparent that it is just beginning its life cycle.

Big entering the palate, seamlessly transitioning into the mid-palate without a hint of disconnecting before the long and luxurious finish.

The tannins, again, are round, full, ripe & smooth.

The fruit is ripe, bright and very fresh.

The finish is long, packed with plum jam and a concentrated bramble of dark berry fruits.

This is a wine that certainly pairs well with beef……and lots of it (the Argentinian way!), lot’s of marbling texture, pork roasts and aged farmhouse cheeses and anything where there’s aromas filling the air from the grille.  A wine that is completely satisfying……almost a meal in itself.