# Opi Malbec Reserve (NV)

- **Producer:** Mascota Vineyards (Rodolfo Sadler)
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Malbec
- **Region:** Mendoza, Argentina
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, blackcurrant, blueberry, smoke, vanilla, chocolate

## About this wine

Opi Malbec Reserve is crafted by renowned Argentine winemaker Rodolfo "Opi" Sadler under Mascota Vineyards. The wine draws its heritage from Mendoza's rich viticultural landscape, capitalizing on the distinct microclimates of both the Uco Valley and Maipú regions. Known affectionately among his peers as "The Malbec Magician," Sadler brings decades of expertise to creating expressive wines that reflect Mendoza's high-altitude terroir.

## Interesting facts

- Winemaker Rodolfo Sadler earned his childhood nickname 'Opi' while fetching wine from his grandfather's dark cellar.
- Fellow winemakers in Argentina bestowed Rodolfo Sadler with the moniker 'The Malbec Magician'.
- Mascota Vineyards was named Argentine Wine Producer of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2014.

## Food pairing

The high intensity, robust tannins, and rich fruit profile of this Malbec require foods with significant protein and fat, such as grilled red meats and braised dishes, which soften the tannins and match the wine's concentration.

## Wine making process

Fruit for the Reserve line is hand-harvested from old-vine parcels located across Maipú and high-elevation sites in the Uco Valley. The winemaking process involves temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation with extended skin maceration to extract deep color and ripe tannins. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes aging in French and American oak barrels for 6 to 12 months to add subtle oak structure and complexity.