2017 Vaglio Malbec Temple Luján de Cuyo Mendoza 750 ml

The 2017 Vaglio Temple is a red that will have you questioning your allegiance to the Old World with each sip. 

Hand-crafted from a single vineyard in Mendoza, this Malbec captures the elegance and refinement of Bordeaux’s best for just $20. Chewy and ripe yet lifted and floral, the 2017 delivers flavors of fresh plum, sweet spice, and lilacs that showcase the unique terroir of one of Argentina’s vinous jewels—the sun-kissed, wind-blown Paulucchi Vineyard.

From the first pour, this full-bodied red exudes freshness and balance in equal measure. Electric purple in color, it bursts with aromas of fresh plums, wild raspberries, lilacs, and sweet spice. Bold and forward, the palate is medium-bodied and complex with a sweet core of black cherry fruit ensconced in plush tannins. It’s chewy and ripe, with a pleasantly lifted floral finish that evokes memories of warm-vintage Clarets and perfect every-night wines. 

The elusive balance found in the 2017 is the result of winemaker José Lovaglio Balbo’s deep understanding of the cooling influence that both the Andes Mountains and Mendoza River provide the Paulucchi Vineyard. The combination of Andean snowmelt and breezes carried on the Mendoza river cool the vineyard, keeping this wine bright, refreshing, and lifted. Unlike its peers, the unique situation of the Paulucchi vineyard at 3,000 feet above sea level allows this Malbec to perform at a level typically reserved for $100+ bottlings. 

The result is a Malbec with a Bordelaise character: violets, turned earth, and undercurrents of minerality give the wine a distinctly French feeling, while its bold black fruit flavors have the Mendoza stamp of energy and persistence.

Jose’s dedication to the land and his high-quality product would typically have us deeming this a special occasion bottle. But the economics of wine export in Argentina continue to make bottles like this affordable enough to turn Thursday nights into special occasions—no matter what you put on the table. We recommend a grilled ribeye, a Wagyu burger, or a large hunk of Comté and good conversation. 

The son of the Argentine wine trailblazer Susana Balbo, José’s wines benefit from a family legacy that gives them the seriousness (and serious quality) that will have even the most die-hard Bordeaux fans thinking twice before writing off the New World. 

We recommend stocking up on this value red before the rest of the world catches on to the Bordeaux-inspired Malbec he’s crafting with ease.