A very unique expression of Malbec, with a lot of hype. We review the Wapisa Malbec from Fincas Patagonicas, available at a great Costco price.
100% Malbec from the Los Acantilados Estate in San Javier, Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina. The wine spends 8 months in oak barrels and has just 2.0 g/L of residual sugar.
We found this one for just $14.79 at Costco, which is a significant discount to the wine-searcher average price of $22. It is imported by Vino del Sol. 5,000 cases were produced.
From the bottle:
"Wapisa" is the indigenous Patagonian word for "whale". Not only do whales frequent the nearby coast of our vineyards, but a local legend talks of a wapisa that actually lived on land. Our wines, like the wapisa, are an expression not just of their soils but of the nearby ocean as well.
With its distinctive, vivid aromas and pleasing acidity, Wapisa Malbec expresses the complexity of the soil and the sea breezes of the Atlantic Patagonia region. Our focused and savory Malbec showcases fresh, dark plum and blackberry that linger in the nose. While the layered, rich and flavorful palate exhibits lots of chocolate and baking spices on the long, juicy finish.
Produced and Bottled at Origin by Fincas Patagonicas
13.9% Alcohol
While the fact that this wine is from Patagonia certainly caught our eye, the big score plastered on the bottle did as well. Let's see if it lives up to the hype.
The 2020 Wapisa Malbec opens with notes of dark fruit and plums plus lots of dusty spice and woodsy aromas and a little tobacco. While those things don't sound all that unusual, it ends up being a pretty unique aroma for a Malbec.
Tasting the medium to full-bodied wine shows great depth and structure to go along with the juicy fruit. It's also has a smooth mouthfeel with some firm tannins.
It ends long, dry and grippy with a little bit of lingering earthy minerality. It tasted similar on day 2.
We like this a lot (we give it 89-90 points) and so it gets a Recommended Buy rating, but we really don't feel it justifies any higher score than that.
Looking for more of our favorite picks from Costco? Browse our multi-page listing of recommended wines along with more information on how to best shop the store!
You can also find more of our favorite Malbec here.