Costco’s Marcello Pelleriti Malbec: Dark, Inky, Vegan Argentine Value
Old vines, big character, and a price that plays nice with weeknight dinner—Reverse Wine Snob’s review of the 2021 Marcello Pelleriti Signature Malbec hits a lot of crowd-pleasing notes. We’re talking 100% Malbec from La Consulta in the Uco Valley, Mendoza, sourced from a vineyard planted in 1907, aged 12 months in French oak, and vegan-friendly to boot. If your cart has hummus, grillables, and a spontaneous steak plan, this bottle’s right at home.
Their first impression? It “pours dark and inky in the glass” — Reverse Wine Snob. Aromatically, they call out dark berry fruit with herbal and floral accents plus a dusting of cocoa. On the palate, it’s “smooth, lush and tannic” — Reverse Wine Snob — showing very dark, sour-juicy fruit, good depth, notable acidity, and a youthful edge that settles more by day two.
Style Snapshot
Region/Appellation: La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
“It ends dry, very long and grippy and was slightly better on day 2.
Grape: 100% Malbec
Style: Dry, full-bodied, firmly tannic
Fruit & Aromatics: Dark berry, herbal lift, floral touches, cocoa
Oak: 12 months French oak (expect structure and polish rather than overt vanilla)
Acidity: Elevated for a plush Malbec, which keeps it lively
Finish: Dry, long, and grippy — they note it as “very long and grippy” — Reverse Wine Snob
Context: Why Uco Valley Malbec Hits Different
Argentine Malbec is famous for deep color, ripe plum-and-berry fruit, and a velvety, approachable style. Head into the Uco Valley—especially places like La Consulta—and the altitude tends to dial up freshness, aromatics, and that stony, mountain snap. So when you read about this wine’s sturdier tannin and brighter acidity, it tracks with the subregion’s personality rather than a softer, fruit-bomb profile you might find in warmer pockets.
The 1907-planted vineyard piece is the intrigue. Old vines often give smaller yields with concentrated fruit and a sense of “inner density,” even when the wine feels youthful. Layer in 12 months of French oak and you get polish around the edges, but not a flavor takeover. Reverse Wine Snob describes day one as a bit young and off-balance, which is honestly pretty normal for a structured Malbec with grip. Their observation that it was better on day two is your cue to decant or give it some post-work patience while the grill heats up.
What the Source Emphasizes
Reverse Wine Snob highlights an inky pour, lush texture, and strong tannins alongside dark, sour-juicy fruit and plenty of acidity. They also note a very long, dry finish and improvement on the second day. In their words: “It ends dry, very long and grippy and was slightly better on day 2.” — Reverse Wine Snob.
They found it at Costco for $13.89 (the wine-searcher average is closer to $17), and stamped it a Recommended Buy with a taste score in the 89–90 range. If your palate leans toward structured Malbec over plush-only, that’s a compelling value proposition.
Buy Intent: Who Will Love This
If you like your Malbec big in color, deep in fruit, with tannins that can keep up with steak and lamb, you’re in the right aisle. The herbal/floral top notes suggest a little lift; the cocoa backdrop and French oak say the edges are smoothed, not sanded down. It’s dry, full-bodied, and proudly grippy—think classic Argentine muscle with Uco Valley freshness.
Best occasion: Casual steak night, a backyard grill session, or a potluck where you want a bold red that doesn’t fade after the first plate.
Best pairing direction: Charred proteins (steak, lamb, portobellos) with chimichurri or herby rubs; aged hard cheeses; anything that appreciates tannin and dark fruit. If you’re going plant-based, go savory and smoky—mushroom ragù, lentil-stuffed peppers, black bean burgers.
Closing Takeaway
Reverse Wine Snob’s read paints a picture of a legit Argentine Malbec with old-vine cred, Uco Valley energy, and serious structure for the price. Decanting is your friend here—let it breathe and watch the balance catch up to the fruit. If you’re Costco-curious and want a red that stands up to dinner and still has personality on day two, this one’s an easy add to the cart.
Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/marcello-pelleriti-signature-malbec-costco/
