The Tilia Malbec 2020 is the first Argentinian-certified sustainably farmed wine. This is a wine that is sourced from various family farm vineyards in the eastern Mendoza Valley and the Uco Valley of Argentina. Since this is not a single estate wine and several privately owned vineyards the coordination to achieve the sustainable certification was quite a feat.
The Tilia name comes from the Tilia Tree which makes a calming afternoon tea that helps with the siesta. The bee is a key contributor to achieving sustainably by pollinating the cover crops and a local species of hawk is attracted to the vineyard for rodent control.
The Tilia Malbec 2020 is sourced from grapes grown 2,600 to 4,300 feet above sea level. The high altitude is above the line where insects and pests that plague vineyards can live and the heights offer cooler temps for a long complete growing season. The Malbec grapevines vary from 16 years old to 72 years old.
The Tilia Malbec 2020 was aged in a mix of Bordeaux-style barrels, stainless steel tanks, and cement vats. The use of all 3 containers shows the winemaker was going for a very specific result. Stainless steel tanks allow no air transfer but are susceptible to weather changes.
Cement tanks (lined) are thick and keep the wine stable from temp and humidity changes. The oak barrels, both French and American oak and 10% new barrels, add flavor and are the long-standing traditional vessel for wine.
I found the Tilia Malbec 2020 for $8.99 and it received 90 points from James Suckling the leading wine reviewer. This is a brand wine rather than a wine from a specific winery so the price tends to be lower. But as you can see from the wine details, great care and intent were used in the making of this Malbec. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The Tilia Malbec 2020 Tasting Notes
The color is barely see-thru black cherry red. The nose is ripe, with extracted blackberry, black pepper, raisin, light herbs, a hint of smoke, spice, and strawberry. The Tilia Malbec 2020 is a smooth wine with a mix of ripe and tart fruit along with excellent acidity.
This Malbec tastes like blackberry, licorice, sweet blueberry, faint bitter dark chocolate, spice, and plum. The mid-palate brings tart cranberry, a salty sensation, orange zest, a hint of vanilla cream, and a late hit of dried strawberry bits.
The tannins are sweet and smooth and the acidity allows the flavors plenty of time and space to unfold.
The Summary
- The Tilia Malbec 2020 is an extremely solid and drinkable sub-ten dollar Malbec.
- It is everything you could ask for in an affordable, everyday Red wine.
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