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The Belhara Estate Single Vineyard Malbec 2021 is an $8.99 Trader Joe’s import wine. Belhara Estate is a family-owned winery in the Uco Valley inside Mendoza in Argentina. They own three vineyards and this wine is sourced from one of them.
This wine seems to be the same or very close to Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Estate Single Vineyard Malbec 2019, selling for $12.99 when available. Wines under this label have sold for $15 to $30 around the world.
I have found production notes showing this Malbec was once 85% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc and it was aged in 100% oak barrels for 18 months. It was fermented in small concrete vats. The Belhara Estate Single Vineyard Malbec 2021 is 100% Malbec and Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer says this wine also has been aged in oak barrels for 18 months which is very unexpected.
Belhrara Estate does not seem to have a website anymore so something is up with the winery. Their wine looks to be well-respected and has garnered excellent reviews in the past.
I am not sure as to what to make of this wine, it is an 8.99 wine that has sold for as high as $30 in the past and it is 4 dollars less than when it was a Trader Joe’s reserve wine a few years ago. Since this looks like a real bargain I will quit asking questions and go to the tasting portion. The alcohol content is 13.5% and while this may not make a difference this is the heaviest bottle of wine I have encountered in some time.
The Belhara Estate Single Vineyard Malbec 2021 Tasting Notes
The color is a garnet red with black highlights. The nose is jammy fruit, oak spice, a little vanilla, black pepper, and a hint of smoke. The Belhara Estate Single Vineyard Malbec 2021 is sleek on the palate with rich flavor and texture.
This Malbec tastes like blackberry, licorice, a shot of interesting spice, molasses (not sweet), and ripe plum. The mid-palate offers blueberry, a different flavor of exotic spice, cassis, sour cherry, orange zest, and pomegranate. The tannins do their job and the acidity gave this Malbec solid length.
The Summary
- The Belhara Estate Single Vineyard Malbec 2021 drinks above its price tag. You do not find many single vineyard wines that have been aged for 28 months in this price range.
- This Malbec is well worth giving a try.
