Michel Rolland Mariflor Val de Flores Malbec 2020
Michel Rolland Mariflor Val de Flores Malbec 2020 is a dry, full-bodied red from Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina), in the full, structured reds style. Tannins are firm and acidity moderate; oak influence is some. Good with steak, barbecue, lamb, venison. Drink within 10 years (to about 2036). Decant for about 1 hour. Critic score 93/100 (merchant-reported). Cheapest offer £37.85 at 8wines UK.
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zuccardi Jose Zuccardi Malbec 2020 Zuccardi · Mendoza | £32.29 | |||
| Vilafonte Series M 2019 Vilafonte · Western Cape | £45.78 | |||
| Rutini Malbec 2023 Rutini · Mendoza | £29.83 | |||
| El Porvenir de Cafayate Laborum De Parcela Malbec 2020 El Porvenir de Cafayate · Cafayate | £29.64 |
Cellar for up to 10 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. Michel Rolland is best known for his work consulting with top estates across the world as a “flying winemaker”. In the 1980s he fell in love with Argentina and the winemaking potential of Mendoza as well as the northern region of Cafayate. In collaboration with several other Bordeaux winemakers he founded Clos de la Siete in the high altitude Uco Valley where he now makes his popular Mariflor wines. Rolland selected the site for its exceptional terroir with vineyards set at 1100 metres above sea level and fine stony and gravelly soils which provide natural drainage. Watered by melted snow from the nearby Andes, the vines enjoy ideal growing conditions with long, hot summers moderated by cooler nighttime temperatures. This helps to maintain harmony and balance in the grapes and preserves the varietal typicity of each variety. For this sublime Malbec Rolland sources grapes from a single vineyard named Val de Flores which is planted with 50 year old vines. The grapes are harvested by hand in the early morning to lock in the freshness and then are carefully sorted once back in the winery. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks and the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 15 months to add a subtle hint of oak and spice to the rich dark fruit character.