A New Malbec from Wapisa

Posted on March 22, 2024 by George Heritier

“These Wapisa Malbecs offer plenty of bang for the buck…”

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It’s been a little slow around here since an upper respiratory ailment paid a visit to our house last month. I haven’t gotten out on scouting missions as much as I would have liked, and when I have, nothing new in the way of wine has jumped out at me. That all changed when my wife Kim and I went to pick up fresh provisions at our friendly neighborhood Costco a few days ago.

This is the 3rd consecutive vintage of Wapisa Malbec that has shown up in the last year. I’ve been impressed by the ’20 and ’21 models, and this one is as good, if not even better than those.
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Two More from Wapisa

Posted on November 28, 2023 by George Heritier

“I’m still looking for another Pinot Noir as good as or better than this
at a similar price point, and I have yet to find one.”

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I’ve really been looking forward to trying the new vintage of Wapisa Pinot Noir, having enjoyed the 2020 so well. My reasoning was that, if I liked the 2021 Wapisa Malbec as much if not more than the previous model, I might expect at least the same from the Pinot, right? I also expected to find this new vintage at Costco for around $15, but instead, it was purchased at Holiday Market in Royal Oak, for a few bucks more. Holiday also stocks the Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc, which I had yet to try, so I picked up a bottle of that as well. My impressions of both are as follows. Continue reading →

Malbec from Wapisa

Posted on November 1, 2023 by George Heritier

“It’s off-the-beaten-path wines and wineries like this that
keep my interest and add excitement these days…”

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Wapisa” is the indigenous Patagonian word for “whale.” Not only do whales frequent the nearby coast of our vineyards, but a local legend talks of a Wapisa that actually lived on land. Our wines, like the Wapisa, are an expression not just of their soils but of the nearby ocean as well.

My first encounter with the wines of Wapisa was just this past March, when our friendly neighborhood Costco briefly carried both the 2020 Pinot Noir and 2020 Malbec. They sold out fairly quickly, but I have seen both around town for a few bucks a bottle more, and frankly, they are worth the extra money if you should happen upon them.

I found the new vintage of Wapisa Malbec at the same Costco a few weeks ago, and immediately brought one home to try. I liked it so well, I went back a few days later, but the bin was empty. A few days after that, there was what looked like another case available, but that was last Thursday, so I don’t know if there is still any left. Like I said, this stuff sells quickly, and there’s a reason for that. It’s really quite good. Continue reading →

Two from Patagonia

Posted on March 14, 2023 by George Heritier

“I’ve been looking for a good silky middleweight $15 Pinot Noir
for a while now, and I think I’ve finally found one.”

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I like every wine that I’ve reviewed here since reviving and rebooting Tasting Notes from the Underground. Of course, some I like more than others, and two reds in particular (the 2020 Domaine des Pasquiers Côtes du Rhône and 2013 Cantina Sociale Cooperativa Copertino Riserva) have really stood out. They are delicious now and over the next few years and are readily available in the Detroit market. Last week, I found another one to add to that very short list, at our friendly neighborhood Costco, of all places.

Wapisa is the only winery located in San Javier, Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina. “Wapisa” is the indigenous Patagonian word for “whale;” the Finca Los Acantilados vineyard is only 25 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and benefits from the cool maritime breezes at night. It is also the only winery in Argentina that ages wines under water. I’ve been looking at their Pinot Noir in the bin at Costco for the last month, and I finally broke down and tried one. I sure am glad that I did.
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