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COCOA
BLACK PLUMS
SMOKY MEAT
BLUEBERRIES
NEW LEATHER
BLACKBERRIES
THE FLAVOURS
OF MALBEC
Argentina’s Malbecs are
surging in popularity and it’s
easy to see why. They can
deliver the goods like any great
Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah/
Shiraz, yet can also offer a
distinct and seductive flavour
profile. Classic Argentinian
Malbec is intensely flavoured
and full-bodied with an abundance
of soft, silky tannins
that give this wine its unique
texture. The people of Argentina
already know these homegrown
wines are the perfect
match for the grilled beef dishes
they love so much. So fire
up the grill and discover the
many talents of Malbec.
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“MALBEC'S JUICY,
FRUIT-DRIVEN PROFILE
IS IDEALLY SUITED TO
EXPRESSING THE
TERROIR OF THE HIGH ELEVATION
VINEYARDS
OF MENDOZA AND SALTA,
AND THE DESERT CLIMATE
VINEYARDS OF
PATAGONIA, PROMPTING
MANY WINERIES TO
PUT IT FIRST AND
FOREMOST IN THEIR
PORTFOLIOS.”
— JAMES MOLESWORTH,
WINE SPECTATOR, DEC. 15, 2007. |
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CATENA ALTA MALBEC
2004
Mendoza
Wine Spectator awarded this
Malbec a score of 93 and
ranked it #23 in its Top 100
Wines of 2007.
TASTING NOTE: The 2004
Alta Malbec was aged for 18
months in French oak, 70%
new, and was also bottled
unfined and unfiltered. It offers
greater aromatic complexity
with notes of pepper, clove,
leather, and chocolate in
addition to violets, black cherry,
and blackberry. Mediumbodied
and elegant, it has a
plush texture, layers of spicy
black fruits and minerality,
excellent balance, and a 60-
second finish. It will evolve
for 5-7 years and drink well
through 2025. Score – 94.
(Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.
com, Dec. 2007)
982355 (XD) 750 mL
$ 63.95  |
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VINTAGES Essentials Collection
CATENA MALBEC (V)
Mendoza
Catena has built their reputation on Malbec from Mendoza, so here's an excellent opportunity for you to get acquainted with this new addition to our Essentials Collection. This rich and polished, alluring wine features aromas of fig, mocha, new leather and sweet spice. Dry and flavourful, its fruit core is nicely supported by ripe
tannins. The finish is long
and lush. Enjoy it tonight the
Argentinian way with rare
barbecued steak sliced and
dipped in kosher salt.
478727 (XD) 750 mL $ 19.95
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CAVAS Y ALMAS DEL
AMANCAY MALBEC 2003
Tupungato, Mendoza
Tupungato’s vineyards are
planted at some of the highest
elevations in all of Argentina.
This sub-region is a department
in the province of Mendoza,
and is named after the
Tupungato volcano, which
at 6,570 metres is one of
Argentina’s highest peaks.
The name literally means
‘star viewpoint’ in the indigenous
dialect. This premium
Malbec impresses with its
wonderful layers of ripe black
cherry, plums, spice and
tobacco. Well-structured, with
ripe tannins and moderate
acidity balancing the juicy fruit
flavours. This is the kind of
wine that makes cattle nervous
as it goes so well with a thick
cut steak or barbecued ribs.
661439 (XD) 750 mL $ 21.95
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“ARGENTINA’S
INCREASING FAME IS
PRIMARILY DUE TO
MALBEC. IT FLOURISHES
AT A LEVEL OF
QUALITY UNPARALLELED
ANYWHERE ELSE IN
THE WORLD …”
— DR. JAY MILLER,
THE WINE ADVOCATE,
DECEMBER, 2007 |
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Benchmark
FINCA EL ORIGEN RESERVA MALBEC 2006
Uco Valley, Mendoza
TASTING NOTE: Medium purple in colour, this wine features complex aromas of pipe smoke, blueberry turnover, black cherry, plum, new leather and cedar. It’s dry, medium-bodied and elegant. The ripe black-fruit flavours are balanced by crisp acidity and refined tannins that all lead to a medium-long, structured finish. A fine match for grilled lamb chops with mint jelly. (VINTAGES panel, May 2008)
065664 (D) 750 mL $ 14.95
New at VINTAGES
FINCA FLICHMAN GESTOS MALBEC 2007
Mendoza
This wine blends fruit picked at two substantially different elevations, which sets this Malbec apart. Fifty percent of the grapes are sourced from vineyards planted at 700 metres in the sub-region of Barrancas and the other half are from vineyards planted at 1100 metres in Tupungato. The Barrancas grapes give depth and volume to the wine while the Tupungato grapes provide structure, freshness and added complexity. Here two terroirs make for one delicious wine, especially when paired with a juicy steak.
068999 (D) 750 mL $ 15.95 |
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FINCA FLICHMAN VINO RESERVA MALBEC 2007
Mendoza
This inky-black, ready-to-drink Malbec consistently offers great value. The secret to success for Finca Flichman is careful fruit selection. A musthave for any barbecue, this Reserva features concentrated flavours of ripe black cherry, blackberry, plum and a touch of mocha. Fairly complex with very good length, it’s sure to be a crowd favourite this summer.
746727 (XD) 750 mL $ 12.95 
New at VINTAGES
FINCA SOPHENIA RESERVE MALBEC 2006
Tupungato, Mendoza
Michel Rolland is consulting winemaker here.
TASTING NOTE: This wine needs time to get its legs underneath it. It comes on young and rugged and gamy, but if you let it sit and air out for 20 minutes it turns deeper, riper and much more fruity. And by the time it settles you’re smack dab in the middle of mountain berry and other natural flavors. Will get better with some bottle time.
Score – 90. (Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast,
Aug. 2007)
066837 (XD) 750 mL $ 16.95 |
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| FRANÇOIS LURTON
PIEDRA NEGRA MALBEC
2004
Uco Valley, Mendoza
(Bodega Jacques &
François Lurton)
TASTING NOTE: Full, bright
ruby-red. Black fruits, leather,
mocha, tar and dark chocolate
on the nose, with hints of
nutty oak and raisin. Supple,
spicy and classically dry, even
a bit austere, with dark berry
flavors complicated by dark
chocolate and menthol.
Finishes with ripe, fine-grained
tannins and good breadth
and length. Score – 88.
(Stephen Tanzer, International
Wine Cellar, Jan./Feb. 2008)
924001 (XD) 750 mL $ 39.95
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| NAVARRO CORREAS
GRAN RESERVA MALBEC
2005
Mendoza
The Correas family’s history
in Mendoza dates back to
1798. From the mid 1800s to
1974 the family cultivated
grapes for other wine producers,
but all that changed in
1975 when Don Edmundo
Navarro Correas established
the family’s own winery.
Today, winemaker Juan Marco
crafts this flavourful, wellstructured
Malbec. It’s brimming
with blackberry, black
cherry, cedar and coffee
aromas and flavours. Great with
grilled meats or pasta in a
zesty tomato sauce.
028928 (XD) 750 mL $ 18.95
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“… THE QUALITY OF
WINES FROM ARGENTINA
CONTINUES TO
INCREASE STEADILY,
PRICES REMAIN
MOSTLY REASONABLE,
AND VINTAGE CONDITIONS
HAVE BEEN
FAVORABLE FOR SEVERAL
YEARS RUNNING.”
— STEPHEN TANZER,
INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR,
JAN./FEB. 2008 |
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SEPTIMA MALBEC 2006
Mendoza
TASTING NOTE: Septima is
owned by Codorniu of Spain,
and it hit the market solidly
in 2002, disappeared for a
couple of years, and now is
back with a great Best Buy.
The 2006 Malbec is a rock
star wine in sheep’s clothing.
Shows size and power along
with pure fruit, texture and
balance. Lush and fruity until
the end. Best Buy. Score – 90.
(Michael Schachner, Wine
Enthusiast, Dec. 1, 2007)
686113 (D) 750 mL
$ 15.95
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WEINERT MALBEC 2003
Mendoza
Swiss winemaker Hubert Weber
fully embraced Bodegas y
Cavas de Weinert’s traditional
approach when he joined
the winery in 1997. Weber’s
Argentinian wines showcase
the classic balance of European
wines. Sourced from
vines that are 70+ years old,
this wine is patiently aged for
3 years in French oak before
bottling. Almost French in style,
it has plenty of depth of fruit
flavours, spice and a smouldering
smokiness.
556795 (XD) 750 mL
$ 18.95
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