Despite the fact that the Juan Benegas Malbec is so reasonably priced, the wine has a very impressive pedigree. The Benegas Family is one of the most important names in the history of viticulture in the Mendoza region of Argentina, thanks to Don Tiburcio Benegas, who founded the seminal El Trapiche Winery back in 1883.  Don Tiburcio was a pioneer in the burgeoning wine industry, importing cuttings from Chile and France and distributing them to interested growers.  He also promoted the ingenious irrigation system that is still in use today. El Trapiche went on to became one of three major suppliers of wine in all of the Americas.
These days, though El Trapiche was eventually sold, the family name continues with Federico Benegas Lynch, the 4^th generation of family winemakers to produce wine from the high-elevation vineyards in the Maipo and Uco Valleys.  The grapes, harvested at elevations between 2800 and 4800 feet above sea level, undergo a short period of ‘cold soak’ to extract color and aromatics.  After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for a period of four to six months, resulting in a richly robed wine with a complex bouquet of ripe, black fruit, dried herbs and savory oak.  The Juan Benegas lineup, named after Federico’s son, Juan, is their entry level cuvee but you wouldn’t think that after enjoying its generous texture and wonderful balance.  The wine beautifully exhibits the characteristics of Malbec, avoiding any harsh tannins or green flavors.  It’s an easy accompaniment to broad range of cuisines, Mediterranean to Asian, and anything in between. – Frank Rothstein