{"title":"TintoNegro Limestone","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"tintonegro-limestone-malbec","title":"TintoNegro Limestone Malbec","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTintoNegro Limestone Malbec\u003c\/strong\u003e is a high-altitude Mendoza Malbec blended with Cabernet Franc, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scoring 92 points from James Suckling, who highlighted its \"very dense and chalky character with crushed stones and cherry flavors,\" this wine draws its identity directly from the limestone-rich soils of Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Los Chacayes, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina  |  Blend: 88% Malbec, 12% Cabernet Franc  |  Winery: TintoNegro\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTintoNegro was founded by Alejandro Sejanovich and Jeff Mausbach, who spent nearly 15 years as colleagues at the renowned Bodega Catena Zapata before launching their own project. The Limestone bottling sources fruit from vineyards at roughly 4,000 feet elevation at the foot of the Andes, where soils range from rocky surface patches to shallow subsoils of round stones with pronounced limestone character. The Malbec is co-fermented with Cabernet Franc in concrete vats — a technique that intensifies the grape's natural floral aromatics — then matured for nine months in used, neutral, well-seasoned oak barrels that let terroir expression take priority over wood influence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright red cherry leads the nose, followed by layers of cassis, violets, and subtle sweet herbs. A faint mineral edge emerges as the wine opens, signaling the limestone terroir beneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with ripe raspberry and cherry flavors unfolding across the palate. At mid-palate, spice notes emerge alongside a firm, tense structure, while finely grained, chalky tannins provide the wine's defining textural signature. Integrated acidity keeps things balanced and lively throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to long, with fruit flavors projecting cleanly to the end and leaving a genuine sense of freshness. The chalky tannin impression lingers, giving the finish a dry, mineral-driven persistence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Limestone Malbec\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eServe at 60–65°F; a brief 20-minute decant opens up the floral and mineral nuances. This wine is built for the table rather than the cocktail shaker, and it rewards food-friendly pairings. Try it alongside a classic Argentine \u003cstrong\u003easado\u003c\/strong\u003e — the smoky char complements the wine's chalky tannins. It works beautifully with \u003cstrong\u003ebraised short ribs\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the acidity cuts through rich, reduced sauces. Grilled lamb chops with chimichurri mirror both the herbaceous aromatics and the wine's spice-driven mid-palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeknight dinners that call for a serious but approachable red\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a Malbec enthusiast something beyond the usual supermarket labels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArgentine-themed dinner parties built around grilled meats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExploring the terroir-driven side of Mendoza beyond entry-level fruit bombs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Limestone Malbec taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers ripe red cherry and raspberry fruit with a distinctly chalky, mineral-driven tannin structure that sets it apart from softer, fruit-forward Malbecs. Spice and violet notes add complexity, while balanced acidity keeps the finish fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Limestone Malbec compare to standard Mendoza Malbecs?\u003c\/strong\u003e Many entry-level Mendoza Malbecs emphasize plush, ripe dark fruit and overt oak sweetness, while TintoNegro's Limestone expression foregrounds mineral texture, chalky tannins, and restrained oak from its concrete-fermented, neutral-barrel approach. The high-altitude Los Chacayes sourcing and co-fermentation with Cabernet Franc further distinguish it with added floral lift and structural precision.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Limestone Malbec good for sipping on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its balanced acidity, moderate tannins, and fresh fruit profile make it approachable without food, though its structure and minerality truly shine at the dinner table.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Limestone Malbec made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by TintoNegro from vineyards in Los Chacayes, a sub-region of the Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina, situated at approximately 4,000 feet elevation at the base of the Andes mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Limestone Malbec?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled beef and Argentine-style asado highlight the wine's smoky, chalky character. Braised lamb shanks complement its spice and herbal notes. Hard aged cheeses like Manchego echo the wine's mineral tannins. Roasted portobello mushrooms with thyme mirror its earthy undertones. Empanadas with a spiced beef filling match the wine's fruit intensity without overwhelming its structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Limestone Malbec come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Limestone Malbec worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as a mid-range, terroir-focused Malbec that delivers complexity well above typical entry-level Argentine reds. The 92-point James Suckling score and the pedigree of its founders — both former Catena Zapata veterans — reinforce strong value within its price tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Limestone Malbec?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat separates this wine from the crowded field of Mendoza Malbec is specificity of place. The limestone-laden soils of Los Chacayes at 4,000 feet produce a tannin profile — chalky, fine-grained, almost powdery — that you simply do not find in lower-elevation, alluvial-soil Malbecs. Co-fermentation with 12% Cabernet Franc in concrete vats is an uncommon production choice that amplifies floral and structural complexity without masking fruit. Founded by two winemakers who honed their craft over nearly 15 years at Bodega Catena Zapata, TintoNegro brings serious winemaking credentials to a bottle that prioritizes terroir transparency over heavy extraction or new oak.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TintoNegro Limestone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837985255593,"sku":"36423","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/TintoNegro-Limestone-Malbec__98696.jpg?v=1730503267"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/tintonegro-limestone.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}