Delicious Mendoza Cab Franc
If I’m talking about Argentina’s Mendoza region again, what are the odds that I’m tasting a Malbec? Looking at the archives, I’d say two out of three.
Since we moved this weekly column onto Substack in 2023, I’ve told you about three Argentine wines. All of them were from Mendoza, the beautiful wine land on the eastern slopes of the Andes. That’s no particular surprise, since more than two-thirds of Argentina’s wine is made there.
It’s not surprising, either, that two of those three wine reports featured a Malbec. Argentina’s trademark, the red Malbec grape comprises nearly half of Mendoza’s output and likely more than half of the nation’s exports.
Let’s talk about Argentina today! What’s your favorite from Mendoza or beyond? Does it have to be Malbec?
It’s not surprising, either, that two of those three wine reports featured a Malbec. Argentina’s trademark, the red Malbec grape comprises nearly half of Mendoza’s output and likely more than half of the nation’s exports.
But if you’ve been reading my column for more than a few months, you probably know already that I fly like a moth to the flame toward the exceptions: wines from unfamiliar places, wines made from little-known grapes, and yes, wines made from the less popular grapes in regions better known for something completely different.
“Agriculture is the first, the noblest and the most indispensable occupation of humankind. Mi Terruño Instagram post featuring co-owner and enóloga (chief wine maker) Maria Baigorria at work.
Cabernet Sauvignon represents only 12% of Mendoza’s production, and that probably helps explain why I was drawn to a tasty Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon for a report last spring.
That makes two Mendoza Malbecs to one non-Malbec so far. Until this week, when I evened the score with a delightful Mendoza Cabernet Franc,, a French-heritage grape that makes up only 4% of Mendoza’s plantings.
This wine, Mi Terruño “Expresión” Mendoza Cabernet Franc, makes a strong case for planting more. Delicious and affordable in the middle teens, it’s fruity yet balanced, food-friendly with brisk acidity yet easy to enjoy. Here’s my tasting report.
Today’s Tasting Report
Mi Terruño 2020 “Expresión” Mendoza Cabernet Franc ($14.99)
Dark reddish-purple, clear at the edge, Mi Terruño “Expresión” Mendoza Cabernet Franc surrounds cherry and plum aromas with whiffs of cocoa, fresh herbs, and a hint of wood smoke. It’s dry and freshly acidic on the palate; plum and cherry carry over from the nose and add black pepper notes and gentle smoke testifying to its relatively brief four-to-five-month stay in French and American oak barrels. 13% alcohol. U.S. importer: Buena Uva LLC, Ave Maria, Fla. (Jan. 16, 2025)
FOOD MATCH: Beef and lamb are the classic matches for this appealing rustic-style Cabernet Franc; it would also go well with a hearty pasta like spaghetti puttanesca, arrabiata, and other rustic dishes. A light salad featuring a gentle lemon-olive-oil vinaigrette and mild goat cheese amplified the wine’s plum and cherry flavors.
WHEN TO DRINK: This wine is drinking very well now. I’d advise enjoying it over the next year or two rather than trying to cellar it.
VALUE:
Wine-Searcher.com’s average U.S. retail price is thrown bizarrely out of whack by a California wine bar whose rapacious price tag skews the average. Most vendors offer it in the middle teens, matching my $15 local price, making it an excellent value.
WEB LINK:
Mi Terruño’s page on this wine is in Spanish, but is simple enough to make out or run through an online translation app. For an overview of the winery’s activities in English, follow importer Buena Uva’s Instagram page.
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Check prices and find vendors for Mi Terruño “Expresión” Mendoza Cab Franc on Wine-Searcher.com.
Read about Argentina’s Mendoza region and find vendors for its wines at this Wine-Searcher link.
This Wine-Searcher link offers links to vendors for many wines in the Mi Terruño portfolio.
Find the wines you want
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Wine-Searcher.com is the place to go online if you want to find where to buy a particular wine that interests you. What’s more, Wine-Searcher.com offers so much more. It’s well worth a visit just to discover its many features, including its popular list of the world’s Top 10 Best Value Wines.
Good wines we’ve tried under $10.99!
Want tips to still more good, inexpensive wines? Here are Wine-Searcher links to vendors and prices for a bunch more wines for $10.99 or less that I’ve told you about in recent years. In some cases the prices may have risen over the $10.99 mark since I reviewed them, but they should still be excellent bargains. Please tell us about your favorites!
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