This week I’m headed to Mendoza, Argentina. Well, not physically, but at least through my senses. Mendoza’s Trapiche winery recently celebrated 140 years, and their lineup has a lot to offer.

You may be familiar with some of their more widely-available bargain brands – that’s  certainly how I first learned of them. From their fun and accessible Oak Cask label, their tiers go up and up, and at all price points, I’ve found the quality to be very reliable.

This week, I take a deep dive into some of their wines, with a focus on some of their Cabernet Sauvignons. It’s amazing the level of nuance and expression some of these 100% Cabs can show, and Trapiche has a diverse and deep lineup. And their Iscay Syrah-Viognier is one of the most exciting South American Syrahs I can remember sampling.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2021 Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Cask – Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $10
Juicy purple color. A nice mix of sweet black cherries and plums on the nose, with some toasty oak and pleasant savory spices, roasted red pepper, tobacco. The palate is smooth and ripe with soft tannins and medium acidity. Juicy blueberries and black cherries with notes of chewing tobacco, sage, earth, cocoa. Accessible and fun but stays lively and balanced, and offers a lot of realness at this price point. 100% Cabernet. (87 points IJB)

2021 Trapiche Malbec Oak Cask – Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $10
Bright purple color. A nose of saucy plums and baked figs, with earth tones, vanilla, violets, sweet coffee and cocoa. The palate shows suave tannins and moderate acidity, with ripe black cherries and fig paste. Notes of smoky earth, charcoal, mocha and roasted chestnut add complexity. Fun but fresh and balanced. (87 points IJB)

2021 Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon Broquel – Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $20
Ripe and juicy on the nose but vibrant as well, with ripe black cherries and plums, along with violets, clove, coffee, some mesquite and tobacco. The palate sports crisp acidity and suave tannins, framing the dark plum and tangy currant jam fruit. Notes of tobacco, tar, violets, pepper, and earth add complexity. Well-balanced, there’s so much Mendoza authenticity packed into a small price tag. Crowd-pleasing but complex. All Cabernet aged 15 months in 20% new oak. (89 points IJB)

2019 Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Medalla – Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $30
Deep purple color. Aromas of deep currants and blackberries, with dark, gravelly loam, and notes of charcoal, cocoa shavings, floral potpourri. The mouthfeel is beautiful, with suave tannins and vibrant acidity, and flavors of blackberries and tangy blueberries. There’s a deep presence of earth, iron, gravel underneath this wine, accented with pepper, bay leaf, violets, and nuanced vanilla and cedar. A refined example of Mendoza Cabernet goodness. All Cabernet from their Finca Las Palmas Vineyard, aged 18 months in new French oak. (91 points IJB)

2018 Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon Terroir Series Finca Laborde – Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, La Consulta
SRP: $50
Vibrant purple color. Gorgeous plum and dark currants on the nose, laced with smoky earth, tobacco, anise and sage – a lot to unpack with air or in the decanter, but already a refined bouquet. The palate shows vibrant acidity and structured, fine-edged tannins, with a tart core of plums and currants. The earthy, gravelly, rocky tones provide a refined structure, and the savory, meaty, floral tones dance with time and air. I’d love to see this in a few years. From 40+ year-old vines, aged 18 months in new French oak. (93 points IJB)

2019 Trapiche Iscay Syrah-Viognier – Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $100
Deep purple color. The nose is an exquisite display of plum cake, fig paste, with cocoa, tobacco, beef jerky, and dusty earth vibes. The palate starts off with racy acidity and solid concentration, but the balance and mouthfeel is so pretty and alive. Tangy black currants and blueberries mix with nuances of roasted red pepper, black olive, grilled steak, black pepper, black tea. This really needs a decant or some time to coax out the nuances, but it’s beautiful. A long-aging stunner. Includes 3% co-fermented Viognier, aged 15 months in new French oak. (94 points IJB)