Trivento 2012 Golden Reserve Malbec

Your humble Wine Bargain Sleuth was introduced to the Argentine vineyard Trivento nearly two years ago, and recently had the unique opportunity to sample the Trivento 2012 Golden Reserve Lujan de Coyo Malbec against several other high quality producers hailing from Argentina, the Rioja region of Spain, the US and Mexico at the Cancun Wine & Food Festival.  How did this South American red fare, you ask?   Well, to my palate it was the star of the Cancun Star Chefs Dinner event!  Listed for $21 per bottle but available closer to $17 with careful shopping, the Trivento is simply a spectacular wine for a Value Wine price.  The Trivento 2012 Golden Reserve is a big wine, befitting the macho reputation of Argentinian Malbecs.   However, the Trivento offering has nary a rough edge on it, unlike many similar Malbecs, instead rewarding one with a rich, lush wine that manages to simultaneously beg for a juicy rib eye steak yet pair beautifully with a lighter dish such as grilled chicken.   Lush dark fruit such as plums and dark cherries are prevalent, along with a satisfying cocoa hint.  The finish on this Trivento red has a hint of polished tannins combined with an earthy quality, and the wine seems to linger for minutes.   No less an authority than Wine Spectator bestowed an impressive 91 rating on the Trivento 2012 Golden Reserve Malbec.   A value wine rarely attracts that type of praise from the major wine publications, but one sip of this Malbec will quickly convince you why.   Pick this one up while you can!