Costco’s Marcello Pelleriti Malbec: Inky, Vegan, Value Buy from Mendoza
Old vines, new find. Reverse Wine Snob spotlighted the 2021 Marcello Pelleriti Signature Malbec from La Consulta in Uco Valley, and it’s the kind of Costco score that makes you wheel back to grab a second bottle. We’re talking 100% Malbec from vines planted in 1907, a year when tango was turning heads and these vines were just getting started. Fast-forward: French oak for 12 months, vegan-friendly, and bottled at 14.5% ABV—classic Mendoza muscle with a high-altitude edge.
According to Reverse Wine Snob’s tasting, this is an assertive, midnight-hued Malbec that leans savory and grippy over plush and cuddly. That’s not a complaint; it’s a style choice. And for $13.89 at Costco (versus a ~$17 average), the value proposition is solid.
Style Snapshot: Uco Valley Malbec
- Grape variety: 100% Malbec
- Region: La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
- Winemaking: 12 months in French oak; vegan-friendly; bottled at 14.5% ABV
- Style: Dry, full-bodied, dark-fruited, tannic with firm acidity
Reverse Wine Snob notes it pours dark and inky in the glass
(Reverse Wine Snob). Aromas bring dark berry, herbs, florals, and a touch of cocoa. On the palate, they found it smooth, lush and tannic
(Reverse Wine Snob), with very dark, sour-juicy fruit and plenty of acidity. The finish? Dry, long, and grippy. It tasted a bit young and off balance on day one, then—crucially—slightly better on day 2.
(Reverse Wine Snob)
“>Reverse Wine Snob). Aromas bring dark berry, herbs, florals, and a touch of cocoa. On the palate, they found it
smooth, lush and tannic(
Context: How It Fits the Mendoza Playbook
Mendoza Malbec is famous for velvet fruit, violets, and easygoing tannins—your classic steak-night partner that rarely picks a fight. The Uco Valley, however, sits higher and cooler, often delivering brighter acidity, more structure, and a little swagger. La Consulta, in particular, is known for quality sites and, in this case, seriously old vines that can add concentration and character.
What Reverse Wine Snob describes—inky color, savory herbal lift, pronounced tannins—lands squarely in that Uco profile. If you’re expecting plush purple fruit with a soft handshake, this bottle is more firm grip and eye contact. It also sounds like air is the secret ingredient. Day one came off tight; day two opened the door to better balance. That tracks: French oak plus youthful, high-altitude Malbec often needs a little time (or a good decant) to show its best self.
The bottle copy promises “velvety texture and rich flavors of dark fruit,” and the tasting notes agree on the dark fruit while highlighting acidity and grip. Call it a structured expression—still generous, but with guardrails. Reverse Wine Snob awarded Taste: 8 (89–90 points), an overall 7.5, and marked it a Recommended Buy. For sub-$15 at Costco, that’s a confident green light.
How to Drink It: Occasions & Pairing Direction
Best occasion: Casual steak night, burger night, or post-surf backyard BBQ where the conversation is louder than the tannins.
Best pairing direction: Grilled or charred flavors—think ribeye, tri-tip, smoky sausages, portobello caps, or black bean burgers with chimichurri. The wine’s acidity and grip will love protein and fat; the herbal notes make friends with anything green and garlicky.
One more tip: if you can plan ahead, pop it, pour a splash, and give it an hour or two of air. Or follow the source’s lead and save some for day two.
Bottom line: If your Malbec preferences run plush and silky, expect more structure here. If you like your Mendoza with altitude attitude—inky fruit, firm tannins, and a long, dry finish—this is a smart buy, especially at the Costco price.
Source: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/marcello-pelleriti-signature-malbec-costco/
