From: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Blend: 85% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Taste: This single-vineyard blend is meant to showcase the best of both varietals (Malbec and Cab) and the quality of the vineyard it comes from. Rich and luxurious notes of blackberry, plum, figs, blackcurrants, dark licorice, and toasty spice come into a delicious balance in this full-bodied wine with silky tannins. With its rich but balanced aromas and textures, this is the perfect wine for any evening of the week.
Pairing: One of those reds will taste great with a medley of different foods. It's great for nights when you don’t want to think too hard about what to make for dinner. sausages, grilled/braised/slow-cooked meats (check out the recipe for slow-cooked beef cheeks below!), pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, burgers, grilled vegetables, and takeout! Some of our favorites in the neighborhood include getting takeout gyros, kofta kebab, and rice, tacos, teriyaki plates, and grilled short ribs.
Slow-Cooked Beef Cheeks With Spring Vegetables and Rosemary
By Daniel Patterson
About. Bodega Vistalba, located in the heart of Vistalba, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, was founded by Carlos Pulenta and reflects a rich family legacy in viticulture, dating back to the establishment of Bodega Peñaflor by his father, Don Antonio Pulenta, 80 years prior.
The winery, constructed between 2001 and 2004 on family-owned land, was developed by Carlos Pulenta with the help of family members, consultants, and enologists. It celebrates the Creole culture while incorporating modern technology to honor traditional winemaking practices.
Bodega Vistalba deeply celebrates Argentine Creole culture through its winemaking process and overall philosophy. Creole culture in Argentina is a blend of indigenous traditions and those brought by the Spanish colonizers, which has evolved over centuries into a unique and rich cultural tapestry. This culture is characterized by its unique customs, music, dance, and, significantly, its culinary traditions, where wine plays an integral part.
Bodega Vistalba integrates this cultural heritage into its operations by adhering to traditional winemaking methods while incorporating modern technology. The winery's design, which allows the entire winemaking process to be completed using gravity without the use of pumps, pays homage to the tradition of making wine with respect for the land and its fruits. This method not only reflects a commitment to preserving the authenticity and quality of their wines but also demonstrates a respect for the environment, echoing the Creole value of living in harmony with nature.
Moreover, the winery’s architecture and the way it blends into the landscape is a nod to Creole aesthetics, showcasing an elegant integration of natural and man-made elements. The involvement of Carlos Pulenta’s family in the winery, along with a team of consultants and enologists who are deeply knowledgeable about the land, mirrors the Creole emphasis on family and community.
Currently, their wines are distributed in over 20 countries. In 2009, Alejandro Bulgheroni began collaborating with Carlos Pulenta. Bulgheroni, known for his significant contributions and investments across the global wine industry, brought his expertise and resources to Bodega Vistalba, reinforcing its position in the market and its commitment to producing high-quality wines with a strong identity and personality. This partnership aligns with Bulgheroni's broader involvement in the wine industry, where he owns and operates several estates worldwide, focusing on sustainable practices and producing premium wines. His involvement with Bodega Vistalba highlights a shared vision between him and Pulenta: to create wines of world renown that showcase the unique characteristics and terroir of the Vistalba region. This collaboration has helped elevate Bodega Vistalba's international status, contributing to the winery's reputation for excellence and innovation within Argentina's wine industry.
The Vistalba collection from Bodega Vistalba in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, is renowned for its exceptional blended wines, crafted primarily from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, and Cabernet Franc grapes. These wines are produced from grapes grown in the small plots of Finca Vistalba, situated in the esteemed wine region of Luján de Cuyo, particularly in Vistalba.
The vineyards of Finca Vistalba boast a distinctive terroir that significantly influences the quality and character of the wines produced. Positioned at an altitude of 980 meters above sea level, the vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate that contributes to the optimal ripening of grapes. This elevation ensures significant temperature variations between day and night, which is crucial for developing the complex flavors and aromas in the grapes.
The soil in this region is predominantly alluvial and sedimentary, with a heterogeneous, clay loam composition. This soil type is particularly beneficial for viticulture, as it retains moisture while providing sufficient drainage. The subsoil features boulders and offers good drainage, enabling vine roots to explore depths of three to four meters in search of minerals and nutrients. This deep-root exploration helps stabilize the vines and allows them to access a richer array of minerals, which is reflected in the depth and complexity of the wines produced.
The vineyard employs traditional viticultural practices, including trellis driving systems for supporting the vines, traditional furrow irrigation, and loader-based pruning methods. These practices ensure the health and vigor of the vines, contributing to the high quality of the fruit.
In addition to the grapes, the estate also cultivates 1,200 olive trees, aged 80 years, of the Arauco, Nevadillo, Arbequina, Manzanilla, and Empeltre varieties. The olives from these trees produce the estate's olive oil, “CORTE V,” which embodies the terroir's distinct characteristics.
The meticulous attention to viticultural practices, combined with the unique terroir of the Vistalba estate, results in wines that are expressive of their origin. The Vistalba collection, focusing on blends and varietal expressions of Malbec, encapsulates the essence of Luján de Cuyo's prestigious winemaking tradition.
The 2018 Vistalba Corte C is a blend of Malbec (85%) with Merlot (15%) from the same vineyard block located at 980 meters above sea level called “Corte C.” Soils here are alluvial sedimentary and clay loam. After being harvested by hand, the grapes are cooled and then placed in concrete fermenters where, after about three days of maceration, fermentation begins. The wine spends twelve months in French, medium-toasted oak barrels.