Maipe means "Lord of the Wind" in Quechua. The Andean people still invoke his name to clear the skies after a heavy rain, or to temper the summer heat.
The nose reveals dried plum and dark fruits; exotic spices with hints of violet and chocolate. Round and fleshy with enticing crushed plum and boysenberry fruit, enlivened by a liquorice snap note. Fresh acidity lies buried on the medium-weight, juicy finish.
Starting with the 2019 vintage, the grapes from this wine are grown in Gualtallary (within Tupungato). It is located at 1200 to 1500 meters above sea level and varies from Winkler 1 to Winkler 3 on the heat summation scale. This massive 5,550 acres parcel is devived between 5 sub parcels : Gualtallary Rio, Gualtallary La Vencedora, Gualtallary Albo, Gualtallary Monasterio and Gualtallary Las Tunas. This wine is made from grapes coming from the section called Gualtallary Albo.
"This red opens with intense notes of dried herbs followed by gentle aromas of black fruit. Oak is well integrated and joins herbaceous flavors on the supple palate. A persistent finish offers a drop of espresso. - Jesica VARGAS"
- Wine Enthusiast (February 2023), 90 pts
Chakana is a family owned winery located 960 meters (3,149 feet) above sea level at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Agrelo, Mendoza. It is one of the leading ...
Read More
"From its deep, tarry mineral-driven nose to drying plum skin tannins, this 12-month French oak barrel-aged red offers structure and texture. Wet stone placates the palate, while grilled steak notes are intense. Blackberry washes any edges, followed by an anise and soy sauce savory finish."
"Svelte and precise, with a minerally essence to the well-knit red currant and dried raspberry flavors. Hints of beef carpaccio midpalate lead to a finish that lingers with underbrush and cedar accents. Drink now through 2025. 3,000 cases made, 625 cases imported.- Kim Markus"
"The juicy and concentrated 2019 Maipe Malbec Reserve is produced with a blend of grapes from Agrelo and Valle de Uco and aged in concrete vats and French oak barrels for 12 months. The wine is floral and spicy, solid, varietal and nicely balanced. It has clout. 50,000 bottles produced. - Luis Gutiérrez"
"Pulled from estate vineyards in Agrelo, at 3,000 feet in altitude, this is fresh and brisk. A year in oak barrels contributed some toasty spice, but the lasting impression is of red fruit—cranberry, currant, red cherry and red plum. Lively, open and lasting, it’s flexible enough to pour with anything, from mac and cheese to sauerbraten."
"The juicy and fruit-driven 2017 Maipe Malbec Reserve is produced with a selection of grapes from Agrelo and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. The oak is barely noticeable and comes through as a soft, easy-to-drink Malbec. 360,000 bottles produced. - Luis Gutiérrez"
"Despite what seems like a touch of volatility, this Malbec locks in on black-fruit aromas with a pinch of rubber. A pulpy palate is healthy, while this tastes of berry fruits and dark plum prior to a finish with modest intensity and drive. - MICHAEL SCHACHNER"
"A red with lots of dried fruit and spices follow through to a medium to full body, silky tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now."
"Concentrated red berry, plum and red currant flavors give this plenty of punch. The lively finish shows mouthwatering white pepper and red licorice notes. Drink now through 2018. 10,000 cases made.- Kim Markus"
"This large winery in Mendoza, Argentina makes numerous wines under the Maipe, Chakana and Cueva de las Manos labels. Almost all of them represent good values. The 2013 Maipe Malbec Reserve is 100% Malbec aged 12 months in French oak. It exhibits notes of blackberries, white chocolate, licorice and spring flowers. Medium-bodied with excellent concentration, a savory freshness and a juicy, succulent finish. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years. - Robert Parker"
"The 2012 Malbec Reserve, a 100% hand-harvested Malbec from the estate's finest vineyard parcels. Aged 12 months in French oak, it possesses a softer style than the Cabernet Sauvignon with more minerality as well as lots of blackberry, white chocolate, incense and graphite characteristics. Deep ruby/purple-hued, rich and full-bodied, it is a full-throttle, stunning Malbec to drink over the next 4-5 years.Maipe is one of my favorite value selections from Fran Kysela as the wines are exceptionally well-made, and sell for a song."
