Matias Riccitelli The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree Malbec 2020

Like the Hey! Malbec this is entirely aged in old wood, but it’s a slightly denser, firmer wine with a significant proportion of fruit from high altitude Gualtallary. Spicy, intense and concentrated, with a backbone of tannin, smoky oak and plush fruit. 2018-23

This is a fabulous red with salt, blackberry, chalk and pepper. Full body, firm and silky tannins. Flavorful finish. Drink now.

Dec 2016 - Luis Gutierrez - We now need to add the varietal to the name of the 2015 The Apple Doesn't Fall From The Tree Malbec, as the label has grown and there are a number of different wines sharing that brand that are produced with different grapes. I was intrigued to see this wine after the 2013, which was not what I expected for the vintage. The grapes come from two vineyards, one in Perdriel and the other one from Gualtallary, two very different zones of Mendoza. It fermented in small cement pools with neutral yeasts and matured in used French barriques for 12 months. This has a completely different profile than that 2013 when they could have gone too far in low yields and ripeness. I see much better balance here, which translates in better typicity, more focused aromas and a silkier mouthfeel. Don't get me wrong, this is not a light wine, it has its power and good ripeness, but the word now is balance--balance in its style to reflect the zone, year and varietal.

Tasted March 2017 - The name alludes to the fact that Matias Riccitelli comes from a winemaking family. 50% Perdriel (ripeness from rocky soil, sweet tannins), 50% Gualtallary (some limestone, minerality and chalky texture and freshness). Used barrels. Fermented in open-top tanks and concrete. 'I don’t want just freshness or just ripeness.' Inky black cherry colour. Bright lifted mulberry and elderberry fruit, red and black. Chalky texture but more fruit sweetness, paper fine but compact texture with terrific freshness and a long cool finish. Mouth-watering and moreish and so utterly fresh but has presence and depth of fruit in the mouth. (JH)

Bright medium ruby. Very ripe scents of blackberry, smoky minerals and chocolatey oak. Richer, denser and sweeter than the Hey Malbec, offering a rather plush mouthfeel to its blackberry, kirsch and violet flavors. Finishes with more serious tannic support as well as good mineral grip. But this is still in an essentially velvety style. -- Stephen Tanzer

Concentrated, ripe blackberry and cassis aromas come with peppery spice and cedary oak notes. This is big and generous on the palate, with roasted, well-oaked blackberry flavors. A touch of heat lends sizzle to the finish. Drink through 2020.