Can Malbec Age? Trying a 40 Year Old Malbec from Bodega Norton

Malbec is known as the signature grape of Argentina, but can it age?  We found this out, at least for our bottle sampled, during my Bodega Norton wine maker dinner earlier this month.  Bodega Norton’s Chief Winemaker, Jorge Riccitelli brought 3 bottles of their 1974 Malbec from Argentina for us to try.  Now this was not their Reserva level at that time; just their regular entry level Malbec.  How did it fare over the past 30 years?

1974 Malbec in glass and bottle
Bodega Norton 1974 Malbec in glass and bottle

It was medium brick red in colour, in fact the colour was quite pleasing.  Sweet, stewed black fruit, bacon and leather aromas.  Medium body and acidity.  Dry with stewed fruits, leather and spice followed by red fruits on the mid palate.  The acidity cleans up your palate and you get some oak on a long finish to this wine.  It was really a special wine.

So in this case, yes Malbec can age, and do it very gracefully.  Thank you to Jorge Riccitelli for bringing such a rare wine to this tasting.

1974 Bodega Norton Malbec
1974 Bodega Norton Malbec
Author: mywinepal
Drink Good Wine. That is my motto and I really want to help you drink good wine. What is good wine? That can be a different thing for each people. Food also loves wine so I also cover food and wine pairings, restaurant reviews, and world travel. Enjoy life with me. MyWinePal was started by Karl Kliparchuk, WSET. I spent many years with the South World Wine Society as the President and then cellar master. I love to travel around the world, visiting wine regions and sharing my passion for food & wine with you. Come live vicariously through me, and enjoy all my recommended wines.

2 thoughts on “Can Malbec Age? Trying a 40 Year Old Malbec from Bodega Norton

  1. I’m excited to read your tasting notes on a 40-year-old Malbec as I’ve had some 25-year-old Malbecs with similar experience. Vintages 2007 and 2008 are incredible now and they can still age with grace.

Comments are closed.