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Argentina is the land of beef, so it seems more than coincidence
that the country’s signature wine
should be the perfect match for every
choice cut that ever hit an open
flame. With barbecue season in full
swing, it’s a lucky thing that
finding good, or even great, Argentine
Malbec these days is nearly foolproof.
We’re talking tried and tested,
sure-fire, practically guaranteed.
An unstoppable phenomenon, Malbec
comes in an array of styles ranging
from juicy-fruity quaffers, to refined
wines of grace and elegance, to
robust powerhouses. Make Malbec
your grill-mate and put some extra
sizzle in your summer. |
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ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS MALBEC 2008
Mendoza
Sourced from old vines grown high in the foothills of the Andes mountains, this terrific value consistently delivers. Enjoy it with hearty fare such as steaks, lamb chops or stews.
TASTING NOTE: Ripe, with raspberry and boysenberry fruit laced with mocha and fruitcake notes. Fleshy and round. A crowd-pleaser. Drink now.
Score - 87.
(James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, Web Only, 2009)
640490
(XD) 750 mL $13.95  |
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ANDEAN VINEYARDS MALBEC 2007
Mendoza
"Andean Malbec 2007 was awarded not only a gold medal at the second Argentinian Wine Awards but also the highly coveted Flagship Varietal Trophy for its outstanding example of the Malbec Grape." (www.harpers.co.uk, Feb. 28, 2008)
TASTING NOTE: Made with organically grown grapes from high altitude vineyards ... The Andean Malbec 2007 is a dark, rich fruity red that shows both complexity and value for money and fully deserves to represent Argentina in benchmark varietal terms'.
(Editorial Team, www.harpers.co.uk, Feb. 28, 2008)
125963
(XD) 750 mL $15.95  |
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CHAKANA MALBEC 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
TASTING NOTE: This is a great price, real value for a wine with style and quality. This is malbec in what has quickly emerged as a classic, popular style: full of fruit flavour, but a cut above the boring, fruity dross that fills so many inexpensive bottles. Here you get structure and balance, and sheer, simple pleasure. It's an excellent choice for grilled red meats.
Score - 4 Stars (out of 5).
(Rod Phillips, www.rodphillipsonwine.com, March 26, 2009)
3509
(XD) 750 mL $13.95 |
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NAVARRO CORREAS ALEGORÍA GRAN RESERVA MALBEC 2006
Mendoza
TASTING NOTE: Full ruby-red. Aroma of blackberry, licorice pastille and violet. Fairly dense and fresh, with strong acids and a slight minty quality lifting the black fruit and licorice flavors. On the lean side but with no shortage of intensity. The minty quality carries through on the back end.
Score - 88.
(Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, Jan./Feb. 2009)
28928
(XD) 750 mL $18.95 |
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Wine of the Month
KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC 2006
Mendoza
TASTING NOTE: Kaiken Ultra has emerged as a consistent top-shelf Malbec. This vintage shows power, purity, mineral, ripe fruit and well-applied oak. It's a generous wine with kirsch and raspberry parfait flavors. It almost makes it to creamy but by holding onto its core acidity it guards overall balance. Unforced but a little forceful; good for those who like a ripe, meaty red wine.
Score - 91.
(Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 2008)
50849
(D) 750 mL $19.95 |
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DOMINIO DEL PLATA SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2007
Mendoza
TASTING NOTE: Sports an enticing mocha- and spice-filled nose, along with creamy raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors that carry through the lengthy, pure finish. Drink now through 2009.
Score - 90.
(James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, Nov. 15, 2008)
79798
(D) 750 mL $27.95 |
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MICHEL TORINO ESTATE DON DAVID RESERVE MALBEC 2007
Cafayate Valley
TASTING NOTE: The 2007 Don David Malbec was aged in French and American oak for 12 months. It reveals notes of cedar, spice box, mineral, black cherry and black raspberry in its excellent nose. On the palate it offers elegance, spicy flavors, excellent balance and a lengthy finish. It is a very good value.
Score - 89.
(Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2008)
64998
(XD) 750 mL $12.95 |
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TRAPICHE BROQUEL MALBEC 2006
Mendoza
TASTING NOTE: For several vintages running Broquel has nudged the border between very good and excellent, but as in years past the '06 is a touch tangy and racy, with black cherry, plum and berry flavors. It's bold, zippy and quite high-toned, but still it's very competent and held together.
Score - 89.
(Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, Aug. 2008)
17210
(XD) 750 mL $15.95 |
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TRIVENTO GOLDEN RESERVE MALBEC 2006
Mendoza
TASTING NOTE: A very forward style, with lush blueberry compote, braised fig and mocha notes, followed by a juicy, open finish. Drink now.
Score - 88.
(James Molesworth, www.winespectator.com, Feb. 28, 2009)
588731
(D) 750 mL $24.95 |
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VIÑA COBOS BRAMARE MALBEC 2006
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza
TASTING NOTE: The purple-colored 2006 Bramare Malbec spent 18 months in French and American oak including 38% new American and was bottled without fining or filtration ... It offers up an alluring nose of cedar, tobacco, spice box, cola, and black cherry. This is followed by a full-bodied, layered, smooth-textured wine with gobs of fruit already revealing considerable complexity. The wine has superb depth, concentration, and length. It can be enjoyed now but should easily last for another decade.
Score - 94.
(Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2008)
123729
(D) 750 mL $39.95 |
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