We have been preaching the gospel of fresh and expressive Argentine reds from 2021 and 2022 in our recent reportage on the country, with plenty of unique and formidable malbecs among them. But because most wineries have not yet released their full range of 2022 offerings, we zero in here on great value malbecs from 2021 – a year many winemakers have referred to as a “dream vintage,” where they could harvest at their own pace after the warm, short and Covid-wracked 2020.
Malbec likes sunshine and dry climate, but it can also benefit from a cooler year as it gains aromatics, tension and purity from a longer growing season without overt density and fullness, delivering wines with more immediate appeal and linearity. Philippe Rolet, the managing director of Bodegas Caro in Mendoza, said 2021 was cool and humid, resulting in “one of the best vintages we have ever had” and comparing it to 2015, 2011 and 2007. His oak-free Bodegas CARO Malbec Mendoza Aruma 2021 shows the pristine fruit of high purity with floral perfumes and calculated tannins. It is all about fresh fruit, tension and drinkability.