Viu Manent Malbec “ViBo” Argentina
WHY WE LOVE IT
- From the wine region of Mendoza – Argentina, borns this unique and elegant Malbec wine, VIBO.
- ViBo was created by the third generation, the Viu Bottini family, as they continue to follow the path of making the best Malbec in the world.
- ViBo is sourced from selected vineyards located in La Consulta viticultural area, located in the Uco Valley (3,450 ft above sea level), where the terrior is characterize for its sandy soil, lower temperatures and proximity to the Andes mountains.
Varietal Composition: 100% Malbec
Elaboration: The grapes went through two manual selection processes. First the clusters were sorted and leaves removed, and then the berries were destemmed and sorted again. The selected grapes were crushed and underwent a 6-day pre-fermentation cold soak prior to inoculation with yeasts. Brief pump-overs were carried out daily during fermentation, which was carried out at 82º–86ºF to maximize color extraction and promote smooth, “friendly” tannins. A 3-week post-fermentation maceration followed prior to racking the wine to French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation occurred naturally. The final blend was prepared after barrel aging, and the wine was lightly filtered before bottling. The wine was aged for 18 months in 80% new French oak barrels
Tasting Notes: Deep dark purple in color and character, intensity, elegance, and complexity on the nose along with the Uco Valley’s classic ripe black cherry, blueberry and blackberry, notes. Concentrated on the palate with firm but elegant, well-rounded tannins combined with a vibrant acidity and lushness. Its tremendous structure and balance give way to a complex, persistent finish. Excellent with juicy New York strip loin, lamb chops or venison.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
After working as a wine merchant alongside his father and brother since the 1930’s, Miguel Viu Manent made the decision to branch out on his own in 1965, purchasing a historic vineyard and winery in Chile’s Colchagua Valley. The estate was and still is one of the most well-exposed sites in the region, and it included 150 hectares of pre-phylloxera massal selections from France.
This company provides us with wines we consider the best value wines in the country (see “Reserva line), forward/experimental options (see “Secreto” line), some of the most solid “under $20” varietal wines you’ll find anywhere in the world (see “Gran Reserva” line), site specific/terroir driven releases (see “Single Vineyard” wines), and most famously the iconic “Viu 1.” Malbec is clearly the house specialty here – Viu Manent was the first Chilean winery to bottle, label, and market Malbec, and they’ve for years been Chile’s Malbec leaders both in terms of accolades and quantity produced.
After nearly 100 years this firm is still family owned and operated (a rarity in Chile, especially for a winery of this size), all farming is certified sustainable, and two of Chile’s top names consult with the winery on a permanent basis – Roberto Pizarro (vineyard management) and Paul Hobbs (winemaking).