Malbec
75cl * 14.5% ABV * Patagonia, Argentina
Winemaking might not be the first thing one considers when surveying Patagonia's breath-taking mountains, lakes, glaciers and deserts, however, since the mid-1990s, this part of the world has proven itself a successful grower of cool climate grape varieties. Malbec particularly enjoys the semi-arid, desert vineyards that benefit from constant sun and cooling breezes.
Saurus Barrel Fermented Malbec is the Schroeder family's “most personal wine”, and is so named because during the construction of the Schroeder winery’s building, the fossilised bones of a 10-12 metre long dinosaur were discovered! Fittingly, a specially designed cellar houses the original bones in the exact place they were discovered. After several years of study, palaeontologists concluded that the fossils belonged to a new species, so the dinosaur received a new name: Panamericansaurus Schroederi, in recognition of the family contribution to the excavation works.
It has an inviting deep violet-ruby colour with intense plum and cassis aromas tinged with wood and cocoa spice nuances. Well-defined varietal Malbec characters of fresh fruits are enhanced by a touch of subtly toasted oak that brings hints of vanilla, chocolate and caramel with a soft and full mouth feel with a long lingering finish. Full-bodied, yet well-structured, it's great with barbecued lamb, grilled sausages, steak, casseroles and hard cheeses.