# Reserva de Familia Malbec (2022)

- **Producer:** Santiago Queirolo
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Malbec
- **Region:** Ica Valley, Peru
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €23
- **Vegan:** No
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, cherry, bell pepper, black pepper, mint, coffee, smoke, vanilla, tobacco

## About this wine

Intipalka, meaning 'Valley of the Sun' in Quechua, is the premium range of Bodega Santiago Queirolo, a historic estate founded in 1880 by Italian immigrants. Located in the hyper-arid desert of Peru's Ica Valley, the vineyards sit at 500 meters above sea level, benefiting from intense solar radiation and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts. Originally kept as a private reserve for the Queirolo family, the Reserva de Familia Malbec is sourced from the estate's exceptional Parcela 4, showcasing the incredible potential of Peruvian viticulture on the global stage.

## Interesting facts

- Intipalka translates to 'Valley of the Sun' in Quechua, honoring the ancient Inca heritage of the Ica Valley.
- For years, the Reserva de Familia wines were kept strictly as a private reserve for the Queirolo family's personal consumption.
- Sourced exclusively from Parcela 4, the estate's premier block known for producing highly concentrated Malbec.
- Intipalka is featured at Central in Lima, frequently named the best restaurant in the world.

## Food pairing

This robust Malbec thrives alongside rich, protein-heavy dishes. The wine's medium-plus tannins bind beautifully with the proteins and fats in grilled red meats and roasted lamb, softening the palate. Meanwhile, its vibrant acidity cuts through rich fats, and the oak-derived spice notes complement charred, grilled, or roasted elements in the food.

## Wine making process

The grapes are hand-harvested in small 15 kg crates to preserve fruit integrity. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts to emphasize clean, varietal character. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for 12 months in a combination of first and second-use French oak barrels, adding structure, complexity, and refined spice notes without overpowering the vibrant desert fruit.