My rating.
2012 Trivento Golden Reserve - Color is normally not a big deal to me, but the saturation and intensity of this black-purple wine is riveting… gives me a new perspective on the term ‘eye candy’. The word ‘inky’ would be an insult as this glows more than any ink.
The aromas are equally spectacular, with black raspberries, black currants and violets offering a powerful yet harmonious blend, with the tiniest hint of oak a complementary accent in the background.
The palate is as rich and voluptuous as the promises of the color and aroma, yet without any hint of anything ponderous. The flavors reprise the aromas with some added faint hints of Asian spices… ginger and coriander. There is also a tiny touch of something peppery, like watercress. The depth is incredible, the finish lasts over half a minute. If this lacks the breadth and nuance of the very greatest wines, it is amazing wine by any standard and the single best value I have tasted in the past few years. It could improve a point… I’m not sure, but I’ll find out as I’m going to put at least a case in my own basement.
Trust me here: Brown bag this and put it into a blind tasting with some $100 Napa Cabernets and/or Bordeaux. It may win, it may not, but I guarantee you it will not be embarrassed. Rated 95.3.
Dan Kravitz
Sounds phenomenal! Any details (site, alcohol, etc)?
Hi Drew,
14% alcohol on the label, sounds right to me. Lujan de Cuyo DO, the ‘Primera Zona’. It’s a large DO, where Argentina’s wine industry was born. Valle de Uco and its subdistricts now compete with it as the best Argentine terroir, but for really great Malbec, IMO this is still the best place in the world. There are subdistricts, I will look into the details next time I’m in Argentina, probably in the next 3 - 6 months.
Dan Kravitz
Who’s the distributor?? is it available in Maine??
The distributor in Maine is National Distributing of Maine.
I don’t know who distributes in Massachusetts, but it has to be available. Trivento is the Argentine arm of Concha y Toro and they are everywhere. Look on Wine-Searcher and I’m sure it will show up in most states.
Dan Kravitz
I can get it from Corx about a mile from here for $21.99 and there are a bunch of places on Winesearcher at under $20.
We have scads of it in Vancouver at $20. I will give it a try and post a note. Heady stuff Dan.
Weird. Only handled by somewhat sketchy retailers in NJ (and NY?).
I picked up the 2012 based on Dan’s post. Always love to read these types of QPR affordable wine posts.
I have not had much Argentinian Malbec because the few I’ve had were too big for my taste. This is definitely not big new world juice. I would peg it for a Frenchie blind. Lots to like so far. But it’s not that expressive at first. If it comes out of its shell more, I’m going to have to buy some more. Lots of class in the glass.
I picked up a couple. I cracked one last night with Hanger steaks and grilled shitake relish.
The nose was very tight. There was something there but it was in the background. The flavours were beautiful. Not ripe at all. Not dark fruit but cassis, eucalyptus and a nice wet earth note. Not too tannic with good acid. Interesting.
I am pretty sure that this wine is made by some very hands off winemakers. This could be the real version of Malbec.
I’ll play. LWS has this for $20 and going to a cab sauv party on Sunday. Will bring 2 and report back.
Ok–bought, opened and tasted. I haven’t drank much bdx or napa cab can so won’t comment on that comparison but it comes off as-advertised–red/black intense juicy core with layers of structured acids and tannins. Young and classy.
Capped and stuck in the cooler to serve tomorrow. It’s very tempting to go back and pour a glass now but will try to hold off for the party.
Tonight’s bottle had a great nose. Really nice wine.
Lovely color, quiet nose. Takes about an hour to come into its own and even then flavors are more subtle than expressive. Seamless, structured. Agree that this is a very good wine at a very good price. Rated 88.8.
Nice note…thanks for sharing, Dan.
I haven’t noticed the Trivento Golden Reserve in our Edmonton market, but the 2012 Riglos Gran Malbec is well worth seeking out. Enjoyed that wine during the past couple of weeks.
Hank ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers")
Just picked one up on wine.com for $17.99 - I had a $15 credit, and get free shipping - so with tax, the bottle cost me $4.50! Looking forward to tasting - if we like, will order a few more bottles - nice to find something special under $20.
TN: Opened to taste 24 hrs before serving then kept closed in cellar. Served in jelly jars (don’t ask) without food outdoors on a hot day.
Very dark color.
Didn’t note the nose (hard to swirl in a jelly jar).
Rich texture, seems fairly extracted.
Not a lot of fruit showing though and I couldn’t really identify what the fruit is. Not a typical berry like you would find on the produce aisle–the closest I could get was pomegranate but there wasn’t that lime component. Maybe it was one of those wine-critic ones like kirsch or cassis; I wouldn’t know. In any case, the fruit was pretty far in the background without a hint of sweetness.
Something earthy and something bitter going on in the palate. The earthy hing is pleasant. The bitter thing seems stemmy but also makes me think of lime (not the fruit) and chalk.
A whole lot of tannins. They are quite nice and really clear the palate.
There is a long finish, mostly of the earthy/bitter components.
Overall, I find this to be pretty enjoyable and in good balance. I drink it wishing for a bit more fruit though; maybe because I am not eating and maybe because the sun is beating down.
The cab sauv crowd aren’t idiots and drank gin and tonics which were a much better pairing to the day.