2021 Marcello Pelleriti Malbec Review: Uco Valley, Costco Find
If your weeknight red needs muscle without turning into a palate bully, this Uco Valley Malbec is worth a look—especially if you spot it at Costco. Reverse Wine Snob reviewed the 2021 Marcello Pelleriti Signature Malbec, a 100% Malbec from La Consulta in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, with some notable bona fides: vines planted in 1907, 12 months in French oak, and vegan-friendly credentials. The price they found? $13.89 at Costco, with an average closer to $17—peak value territory.
“pours dark and inky in the glass”
—Reverse Wine Snob
That opening line tracks with what Uco Valley fans expect: altitude-driven concentration, structure, and a core of dark fruit. But there’s more going on here than just color and mood lighting.
“pours dark and inky in the glass
Style Snapshot
Based on Reverse Wine Snob’s notes, you’re looking at a dry, full-bodied Malbec with an assertive tannic frame. Aromas lean into dark berry, herbal and floral tones, with a touch of cocoa. On the palate it’s, in their words, “smooth, lush and tannic” (Reverse Wine Snob), packing sour dark fruit, solid acidity, and a long, grippy finish—“very long and grippy” (Reverse Wine Snob). Day two reportedly showed better balance, which is classic young Malbec behavior: air and time help knit fruit and oak.
Tech-wise, the 12 months in French oak likely add that cocoa/spice while keeping the varietal’s deep fruit intact. Vegan-friendly simply means no animal-based fining agents were used—nice if that matters to you, neutral if it doesn’t.
Context & Buying Angle
La Consulta sits in the southern Uco Valley, an area celebrated for higher-altitude sites that dial up freshness and structure. Malbec from Mendoza is famous for plush plum and blackberry; Uco Valley versions tend to add lift, herbal detail, and firmer tannins. The vineyard here dates to 1907—older vines generally produce fewer grapes with more flavor concentration. That doesn’t guarantee magic, but it does nudge the odds in your favor.
The Costco price at $13.89 is the kicker. A sub-$15 bottle with old-vine cred and a year in French oak is a rare combo. Reverse Wine Snob tagged it a Recommended Buy, which feels right if you’re okay with a little youthful swagger. Translation: decant it, or open the bottle when you start cooking and don’t rush the first pour. If you tend to like your reds smoother, revisit on day two and you might love it.
Compared with the usual “big fruit, soft tannins” Malbec stereotype, this one sounds a bit more athletic: darker fruit, more grip, pronounced acidity. If your baseline is jammy and plush, this will feel more structured. If you crave tension and length, this could be your budget sweet spot.
Best Occasion & Pairing Direction
Best occasion: Casual dinner with friends, taco night, or a post-surf backyard hang where the grill does the talking.
Best pairing direction: Go savory and smoky—grilled meats, charred veg, or earthy mushroom dishes. Salt and fat will tame the tannins; herbs will echo the wine’s green lift.
Final Takeaway
The 2021 Marcello Pelleriti Signature Malbec checks a lot of boxes: old vines, Uco Valley pedigree, French oak, vegan-friendly, and a price that’s comfortably under the average. It brings serious color, dark fruit, and a firm handshake of tannin that eases with air. If you want a Malbec that flexes without grandstanding, this is a smart Costco grab—especially for folks who appreciate structure over sweetness.
Pro tip: If it feels a touch tight on day one (as the source noted), decant for an hour or save half for tomorrow. Your patience will be rewarded.
Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/marcello-pelleriti-signature-malbec-costco/
