Maipe
 Mendoza (Argentina)

The Estate
Produced in the Luján de Cuyo subregion of Mendoza by the Pelizzatti family, Maipe wines are an expression of the deep rich soils and a commitment to excellence by the young winemaker, Liliana Iannizzotto, and consultant Alberto Antonini.

"Alberto Antonini (think Altos Las Hormigas) is a consultant at Maipe which in and of itself is an indicator that the winery is focused on quality." - Wine Advocate (Dec 08)

The Vineyard Beneath the Andes

The Winery

The Winery

The Winery at Night

Stainless Steel Fermentation and Holding Tanks

The Vineyards
The wines are produced from grapes grown in Agrelo and Luján de Cuyo, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea level. Agrelo is a cool climate region in Argentina’s premier grape growing area. Each bottle captures the expression of the grape variety, showing its adaptation to the local soils and climate. The vineyard is planted with 18 hectares of Malbec and 32 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon. The soils are deep and textured, which facilitates plant development and confers great body and structure to the wines. Classified among the best areas within the province of Mendoza, year-long sunny and dry conditions permit almost organic viticulture practices. Its outstanding feature is a great daily thermal amplitude, with mild days and cold nights that allow a particular richness of polyphenols that improve the wines’ flavors and color.

Maipe was the Lord of the Winds for the ancient Andean people.  Argentineans still invoke his name to clear the skies after a heavy rain or to temper the summer heat.  These wines, children of the Sun and the Winds, are produced from grapes grown at the foothills of the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea level.  The intense color and aromas capture the expression of the soils that gave them birth.

Views of the Vineyards

Views of the Vineyards

Views of the Vineyards

Harvesting the Grapes

The Wines

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#AR1EE881037CHS
UPC code: 7 84585 00972 5
2009 Maipe, Chardonnay 12/750ml
Made from 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier.
Manual harvest.
5 hour maceration on skins in temperature controlled steel vats; fermentation with selected yeasts at 14°-16°C; 30% malolactic fermentation.
30% aged in French oak barrels.

Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints.
The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla.  Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish.
Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables.

#AR1EE881017CHS
UPC code: 7 84585 00972 5
2008 Maipe, Chardonnay 12/750ml
Made from 85% Chardonnay, 15% Viognier.
Manual harvest.
5 hour maceration on skins in temperature controlled steel vats; fermentation with selected yeasts at 14°-16°C; 30% malolactic fermentation.
30% aged in French oak barrels.

Brilliant yellow golden color with green hints.
The wine is crisp and filled with white peach, pear, green apples flavors, toasty vanilla.  Elegant and luscious wine, well balanced. Crisp and long finish.
Pairs well with creamy soups, pork, veal, vegetables


National Retail price: $12.99 / bottle

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2009 Maipe, Sauvignon Blanc 12/750ml
#AR1EE881038SBS
UPC code: 7 84585 00980 0
100% Sauvignon Blanc. Manual harvest.
5 year old vines.
6 hour maceration on skins in temperature controlled steel vats; fermentation with selected yeasts at 13°-15°C

Yellow color with green hints.
Expressive wine, fresh, very aromatic. 
This Sauvignon Blanc displays grapefruit flavors, hints of passion fruit and honey, bracing acidity, fresh mouth feels that make it a terrific aperitif and an excellent accompaniment to virtually all seafood, especially shellfish.


National Retail price: $12.99 / bottle

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2009 Maipe, Torrontes 12/750ml
#AR1EE881039TRS
UPC code: 7 84585 00981 7
100% Torrontes from the Salta region. Manual harvest.
7 day maceration with selected yeasts at 8°-10°C; fermentation with selected yeasts at 12°-14°C

Spring-like nose of fresh white peaches, pears, green apple, green melon and hints of jasmine and rose petals.
On the palate, it has a beautiful structure and acidity along with fruit flavors and plenty of body.  Well balanced, this wine displays a pleasant freshness with citrus notes and a long finish.
Best enjoyed in its youth either by itself, or as a wonderful partner with smoked meats,  mild to medium-strong cheeses, seafood and a great partner for spicy food as well.

2008 Maipe, Torrontes 12/750ml
"Plump and juicy, with fresh nectarine skin, peach and clementine flavors, backed by a hint of spice on the finish. Drink now."
87 pts – Wine Spectator (April 30, 09)

National Retail price: $12.99 / bottle

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2009 Maipe, Rose of Malbec12/750ml
#AR0EE881036MBS
UPC code: 7 84585 00982 4
Made from 100% Malbec. Manual harvest.
35 year old vines.
1 day maceration in temperature controlled steel vats; 10 day fermentation with selected yeasts at 14°-16°C; 
30 days of batonage (stirring of the lees).

Intense pink color with violet hints.
Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish.
Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.

2008 Maipe, Rose of Malbec12/750ml
"As Argentinean rosé goes, Maipe’s is a success. The wine is clean and colorful, with cheerful cherry and raspberry aromas that are decidedly not funky, skunky or stale. The palate is snappy, with mild berry fruit flavors and a clean, medium-length finish. Candied and friendly but not forced. Drink now."
87 pts – Wine Enthusiast (March 31, 09)

National Retail price: $12.99 / bottle

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#AR0EE881026CSL
UPC code: 7 84585 00882 7
2008 Maipe, Cabernet Sauvignon 12/750ml
100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 years old vines. 
14 day fermentation with selected yeasts at 26-28°C; 
5 days post fermentative maceration; 1 day delestage; malolactic fermentation.
10% aged in American oak for 3 months.

"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from 35-year-old vines, is a saturated purple color. The nose offers up pure black currants and blackberry with some earth notes in the background. The wine is slightly austere on the palate but is likely to round out with another year or two in the bottle (not that anyone is likely to cellar this tasty effort). It is a lot of wine for the money."
- Wine Advocate (Dec 08), 88 pts

#AR0EE881018CSL
UPC code: 7 84585 00882 7
2007 Maipe, Cabernet Sauvignon 12/750ml
100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
35 years old vines. 
14 day fermentation with selected yeasts at 26-28°C; 
5 days post fermentative maceration; 1 day delestage; malolactic fermentation.
10% aged in American oak for 3 months.

This Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense ruby red color with aromas and flavors of ripe blackcurrant, red pepper, mint, chocolate and vanilla hints. The fruit and tannins are perfectly balanced to give a wine of excellent structure making it ideal for grilled meats, game, pasta or pizza. 

"Rich, deep purple in color: initially the bouquet is all rich, dark fruit aromas but a nice beam of peppery spice emerges with a little time in the glass; ripe and full, the firm tannins offer a sharp edge to open the palate but is quickly tempered by ripe black cherry, cassis and wood spice flavors; the finish is quite long."
- Beverage Dynamics (Jan/Feb 09), 89 pts - 4 STARS

"The 2007 Maipe Cabernet Sauvignon has a bouquet of spicy black currant, black fruit flavors, and a forward personality. It should be consumed over the next three years."
- Wine Advocate (Dec 08), 86 pts

#AR0EE881009CSL
UPC code: 7 84585 00882 7
2006 Maipe, Cabernet Sauvignon 12/750ml
100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fermentation at 26º C with selected yeasts. The wine has received 20 days skin maceration. Malolactic fermentation in tank with indigenous bacteria.
This Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense ruby red color with aromas of ripe blackcurrant, red pepper, mint and chocolate. The fruit and tannins are perfectly balanced to give a wine of excellent structure making it ideal for grilled meats and game. 

"Fresh, with juicy raspberry, red currant and plum fruit backed by judicious toast. Has a nice open-knit finish. Drink now through 2008. 7,000 cases made."
- Wine Spectator (Nov. 2007), 88 pts

"This is a new brand to us, yet both the Maipe Malbec and this Cabernet Sauvignon show purity of fruit and skillful winemaking. This newbie is full of black fruit aromas, depth and style. The palate pushes ripe plum and berry fruit along with chocolate, and the finish is chewy and correct in terms of tannins and structure."
- Wine Enthusiast (Nov. 15, 2007), 88 pts


National Retail price: $12.99 / bottle

#AR0CC881010CSL
UPC code: 7 84585 00963 3
2006 Maipe, Cabernet Sauvignon magnum 6/1.5L

National Retail price: $17.99 / bottle

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#AR0EE881041MBM
UPC code: 7 84585 00883 4
2009 Maipe, Malbec 12/750ml
100% Malbec. Manual harvested.
35 years old vines. 
4 day maceration on skins in temperature controlled steel vats; 10 day-fermentation with selected yeasts at 27°C; 
5 days post fermentative maceration; malolactic fermentation.
10% aged in American oak for 3 months.

This Malbec has a deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas;  rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza.

#AR0EE881025MBM
UPC code: 7 84585 00883 4
2008 Maipe, Malbec 12/750ml
100% Malbec. Manual harvested.
35 years old vines. 
4 day maceration on skins in temperature controlled steel vats; 10 day-fermentation with selected yeasts at 27°C; 
5 days post fermentative maceration; malolactic fermentation.
10% aged in American oak for 3 months.

This Malbec has a deep purple color with violet tints, complex plum, fig, strawberry, spices and floral aromas;  rounded and velvety tannins, excellent length with a distinguished character. Excellent when paired with game, roasted red meats, pasta or pizza.

"A hot wine in a hot category, which makes it easy to find around town. Consultant Alberto Antonini (Altos Las Hormigas) also helped propel this new runaway hit. Scents of smoky leaves, violet, currant and huckleberry, with a bright surge of fruit. A mineral edge to the tannins adds depth."
"BEST OF THE BARGAINS"
- San Francisco Chronicle, November 2009
For bargain wines, this is a very good year

"The 2008 Malbec is a glass-coating purple color with a striking perfume of violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Exhibiting surprising complexity for its price category, the wine has gobs of fruit, savory flavors, and excellent depth and length. It is an outstanding value for drinking over the next 3-4 years."
- Wine Advocate (Dec 08), 90 pts

"Noted Italian winemaker Alberto Antonini acts as consultant for this estate in Mendoza, helping make velvety reds like this one. Its flavor suggests freshly crushed berries."
 - Food & Wine Magazine (Feb. 09)
"Argentina's best reds for $10 to $20"

"This wine totally smokes!" says Bieler. "It's purple in color and loaded with everything that we know and love about malbec: It's relatively rich with aromas of blackberry, tar and violets. Sure there are bigger, richer and more complex malbecs out there, but not at this price. Don't buy a bottle--buy a case."
Join The Club--Drink Malbec
- Forbes.com, Eric Arnold, 08.21.09
Argentina's signature wine delivers big flavor for less money.


National Retail price: $12.99 / bottle


#AR0CC881044MBM
UPC code: 7 84585 00964 0
2009 Maipe, Malbec magnum 6/1.5L

National Retail price: $17.99 / bottle

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#AR0EE881040BOM
UPC code: 7 84585 01060 8
2009 Maipe,  Bonarda 12/750ml
100% Bonarda. 7,000 cases. 5,000 cases imported – come from vines planted 30+ years ago at the winery.
Deep red color with violet hints. Wild berries and violet aromas, round and velvety tannins and a long finish. Excellent value.

#AR0EE881016BOM
UPC code: 7 84585 01060 8
2008 Maipe,  Bonarda 12/750ml
100% Bonarda. New project, 3,000 cases. 890 cases imported – come from vines planted 30 years ago at the winery.
Deep red color with violet hints. Wild berries and violet aromas, round and velvety tannins and a long finish. 

"The purple-colored 2008 Bonarda offers an enticing bouquet of smoke, mineral, and blueberry. Round and ripe on the palate, it has surprising depth and length for its humble price. Drink this succulent wine over the next three years."
- Wine Advocate (Dec 08), 89 pts

National Retail price: $12.99 / bottle