From: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Varietal: Malbec

Tasting Notes: 100% hand-harvested Malbec from the sustainably-farmed, 17.5-acre Paulucchi Vineyard, planted in 1993 on clay/loam soils at 3000ft altitude. The fruit is 100% destemmed, fermented with native yeasts, and aged 8 months in 40% new French oak. Bottled lightly filtered. On the palate, the wine shows notes of dark black fruit, rose petals, and hints of baking spices and coriander. It’s ripe and pretty, with rounded, smooth tannins and an elegance that comes from gentle handling and these high-altitude vineyards.

Pairing: Pairing food with Malbec is simpler than you might think. Since the wine has a fuller body, it's an excellent match for stronger-flavored and richer foods. Avoid pairing it with delicate or subtle flavors, which will lead to the wine completely overwhelming the dish. Interestingly, the more moderate tannins in this wine lend themselves to a wide range of meats, where leaner cuts work equally well. You’ll find Malbec a great match for steak, pork, and lamb, as well as fattier fish like salmon and poultry with dark meat. Game meat—like bison, ostrich, and venison—are also a safe bet. In addition to meat pairings, consider foods with richer sauces or more vibrant flavors. Avoid bitter vegetables or vinegar dressings, though, which can create bitter or metallic notes in the wine.