Bodega Noemia Malbec 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Bodega Noemia Malbec 2019

Tasting

Color

The color displays a deep purple hue with violet highlights and garnet edges.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity with notes of fresh plum, sweet-and-sour cherry, and violet. Nuances of dark fruits such as blackberry and blueberry gradually emerge, accompanied by mineral touches reminiscent of graphite and a subtle salinity. Tertiary aromas of leather and tea complete this elegant bouquet, while delicate notes of vanilla and cocoa attest to well-mastered aging.

Palate

On the palate, the wine impresses with its elegance and remarkable balance. The attack reveals a vibrant fruit intensity with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and plum, supported by silky tannins and a lively acidity that brings freshness and tension. The concentrated texture graces the palate with finesse, while mineral and graphite notes linger through a long, saline finish, leaving an impression of depth and complexity.

Food and wine pairings

This Bodega Noemia Malbec 2019 pairs beautifully with herb-roasted Patagonian lamb or a rack of lamb with a rosemary crust. It also matches grilled red meats, pan-seared beef fillet, or game such as roe deer. Aged cheeses such as manchego, pecorino, or extra-aged cheddar make excellent pairings. For lovers of bolder combinations, this wine harmonizes with mushroom dishes, grilled vegetables, or a chimichurri sauce.

Serving and cellaring

The Bodega Noemia Malbec 2019 can be enjoyed now but offers cellaring potential through around 2029. Decanting one hour before serving is recommended to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. The ideal serving temperature is between 16 and 18°C.

An elegant, mineral Malbec from Patagonia

The estate

Founded in 2001 by Danish winemaker Hans Vinding-Diers and Italian countess Noemi Marone Cinzano, Bodega Noemia has established itself as one of Patagonia’s most prestigious estates. Located in the Rio Negro Valley, the property cultivates six hectares of pre-phylloxera vines planted between 1932 and 1955 on their original rootstocks—true viticultural treasures. Since 2018, Hans Vinding-Diers has been the sole owner, assisted by his Argentine wife, Belén. The estate produces around 120,000 bottles annually, certified organic and biodynamic. Its hallmark lies in expressing a latitude-driven terroir rather than an altitude-driven one, producing elegant, mineral, fresh Malbecs—far from the more concentrated expressions of Mendoza.

The vineyard

Bodega Noemia’s vineyard is located in the Mainqué area of the Rio Negro Valley in Patagonia, at an altitude of around 240 meters. The heart of the estate rests on 1.5 hectares of century-old vines planted in 1932 through massal selection, grown on their original rootstocks. These pre-phylloxera vines thrive on alluvial soils composed of sand, gravel, and river deposits over a limestone base. The region’s desert climate is marked by a wide diurnal temperature range, powerful winds, and abundant sunshine. The vineyard is managed under certified biodynamics, with a gravity-fed irrigation system supplied by the mineral waters of the Limay and Neuquén rivers originating in the Andes.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in Patagonia proved exceptional. After a cold winter and a cool, damp spring, the summer was relatively dry and windy, with warm days and cool nights. These conditions encouraged slow, gradual ripening of the grapes, enabling the development of intense aromatic concentration while preserving remarkable natural acidity and low pH levels. March, the harvest period in the region, benefited from mild weather conditions, offering an ideal window to pick the fruit at optimal ripeness.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for the Bodega Noemia Malbec 2019 were hand-harvested in March and then sorted berry by berry. Vinification took place in open-top vats with around 30% whole clusters, using exclusively indigenous yeasts and without temperature control. After fermentation, this Argentinian wine was aged for about a year in large oak vats and 600-liter barrels, then transferred to used barrels for an additional two months. Total aging in French oak lasted between eighteen and twenty-two months, with only 15% new barrels. The wine then underwent bottle aging before release.

Grape variety

100% Malbec from vines planted in 1932.