The story of Vicentin began in the late 1920s with a small stockpiling business located in the north of Santa Fe province in Argentina.
The agroindustrial group has had its hands on everything from soybeans to biofuel and has extensive experience working the Argentinian soils in the region.
In 2011, a high-end wine project was commenced with the involvement of internationally prestigious winemakers, such as the renowned Paul Hobbs.
The project is aimed squarely at the development of the most renowned Argentinian varietals, Malbec.
Looking for different expressions from the various terroirs and different takes on the classic varietal is how Vicentin aims to stand out in the market. This offering is particularly interesting.
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Vicentin Blanc de Malbec Review
This bottle is what is known in France as a “Blanc de Noirs.” If red grapes are pressed, and the juice is allowed to ferment after being separated from the skins, the result is white wine, and the name roughly translates to “white of black [grapes].”
An unusual white wine, this bottle is made from Malbec grapes that are lightly pressed, then fermented without skin contact.
The wine is aged in American oak in order to impart a bit more body and depth of flavor on the final product.
Vicentin Blanc de Malbec Summary
- Brand: Vicentin
- Country: Argentina
- Region: Los Chacayes, in the Uco Valley
- Wine Type: White Wine
- Varietals: Malbec
- ABV: 14.3%
Appearance
Pale, bright silvery yellow, with just the slightest pink tinge to it, the wine is quite pretty in the glass.
It boasts thick, dense legs which form and fall quickly as you swirl the wine in the glass.
Smell
Fresh lemon, grapefruit, and star anise make up the first wave of aromatics here. Then the supporting cast comes in to lend a bit of depth to the scent.
I get cinnamon, clove, and vanilla bean, which come through very nicely thanks to the oak aging this wine undergoes.
Violets, mulberry, and fleshy peaches are present as well.
Taste
The wine is remarkably lithe and is lighter on the palate than you would expect. Lots of rich, full flavors of stone fruit are present, such as apricots and peaches.
The wine has a light sweetness to it that is welcome. It comes across as a fresh, fruity sweetness, as opposed to a forced, artificial sweetness.
There are flavors of strawberries, white cherry, clove, and cinnamon here that are all quite nice.
This wine is definitely enjoyable year-round but is an excellent selection for autumn, in my opinion.
The texture here is interesting as well. There is a bit of tannin thanks to the use of American oak, and the wine is just a bit boozy, finishing warm.
What Does Vicentin Blanc de Malbec Pair With?
Pumpkin pie and this bottle are a match made in heaven, and the pairing really helps to uplift the gentle spice notes present in the wine without totally obscuring the pumpkin flavors.
Is pumpkin not your favorite thing? Try apple pie! Or any baked or stewed fruity desserts in that neighborhood.
For the main course, go with foods lighter than you would usually reach for when having Malbec. White meats such as pork chops and grilled chicken breast are great options here.
You could also use this as a great pairing for Turkey and stuffing, as it works nicely with both dishes individually and even better with the two together!
What Wines Are Similar to Visentin Blanc de Malbec?
This is a wholly unique wine, and I can’t say that I have ever had a white Malbec outside of this one. That said, you can find a variety of white Cabernet Sauvignon and white Pinot Noir options out there that are equally fun to try.
As far as traditional white wines go, I would recommend trying oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay which has been aged in French oak.
Final Thoughts
I really encourage anyone who is a fan of white wines to try this bottle, as it is a really solid offering. It is also especially fun for fans of eclectic, off-the-beaten-paths wines.