Open Mike: Malbec from Argentina.

I really like this stuff, especially after it has sit open for about 4 hours. Free pours on Saturday turned some heads. I have not been able to do a proper tasting to promote it yet. I agree with you that Argentine Malbec is at best B grade. I feel the same for most Chilean Carmenere, but for daily quaffing, B is pretty good. I wish I had bought more and hope it's still available.

Broquel Malbec '04:

On the nose, raspberry jam and toast, not unlike a recently-tasted Carmenere. Hmmm. Some mulberry/blueberry and plummy notes on the palate, very "modern" style, fruit almost glossy in the mouth. Some chocolate and smoke on the finish, along with a quite Italianate bitterness. If it had been a bit less fruit-forward, it might have passed for a Barbera. Around $16.

Broquel is the "premium" label for Trapiche; according to Frederick Wildman, the fruit comes from a single vineyard, "Las Palmas," in the Maipu district of Mendoza.

I have to add that I am not a "believer" in Argentine Malbec. Robert Parker is on record as saying that Malbec will soon be recognized as a "noble" varietal. Personally, I can't see it. I have yet to taste an Argentine Malbec that was anything other than a solid "B." Nothing wrong with that, but not exactly taking the breath away, either.

Welcome to the forum, great to see you joining the ranks of "Malbec Hound".

I'm happy to chime in. Malbec is a favorite of mine. Eastern Washington is starting to grow the grapes quite well, Ron Bunnell has a good one. Massive in the mouth and maybe a wee bit too much sun and thus alcohol, yet a serious comfort wine. I still prefer the Argintine version and if money allows, a nice Cohors.

Wish me luck, Malbec Hounds. I'm going to try an Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira Malbec tomorrow, I think.

Sounds good Brian, I will dig out the Kaiken, always a favourite!!

Wish me luck, Malbec Hounds. I'm going to try an Achaval Ferrer Finca Altamira Malbec tomorrow, I think.

Brian... please do share your TNs after you take this one for the Team....

Yeah and I am going with the Fournier this weekend!!

Yeah and I am going with the Fournier this weekend!!

Which one... A Crux Malbec? A Crux Blend? B Crux?

I'll copy this over here, too, from the Friday Night thread I started.

Drunk with a variety of Spanish foods at Aioli Restaurant in Davis (a strong recommendation for Northern California/Sacramento residents. The Paprika Chicken is to die for!)

Achaval-Ferrar Finca Altamira 2003 Malbec. Purple. How can a wine taste "purple"? It just does!

A lovely purple hue. Definitely some purple grape on the nose. Not as grapey, though, or gobby fruity on the palette as I feared, and the oak is pretty well restrained. I tasted blueberry and current, and a hint of tobacco. Definitely some nice fuzzy tannins. Very popular and WOTN for several people. Purple is the new Black!

A very nice wine. Allejandro suggested this was drunk too young, so I need to maybe put one away for five years or so? My score, a solid ***

Yeah and I am going with the Fournier this weekend!!

Which one... A Crux Malbec? A Crux Blend? B Crux?

The `02 Acrux. Looking forward to it, $47 Cdn. Alej, what is the news on Mendel another winery I have just come across?

A Crux... OK. Remember there are two A Crux labels... there is a straight Malbec and then there is the Tempranillo based blend.

Alej, what is the correct pronounciation here...i.e. A Crux. Mine is straight malbec, just decanted (sat pm).

**** we are now up to over 30,000 views!! Amazing. C`mon you laggards, who is up next?!!

Bob-- Mendel is the new winery where Roberto de la Motta, ex-chief winemaker of Terrazas de los Andes (makers of the Cheval des Andes blend with the folks of Cheval Blanc) has an equity interest. De la Motta resigned from LVMH to go run Mendel, after a group of argentine high-rollers that make their $$$ in the pharmaceutical industry decided they wanted Roberto as a partner and winemaker at their own winery.... hence Mendel was born.

Mendel makes two wines, the Mendel Malbec, and a high end blend called Mendel Unus. Very good wines, although I favor the Unus over the straight Malbec. Its a little pricey, and perhaps need another 12 months or so in the cellar to show its best, but the wine is very very well made, with good balance, etc.

Thanks for the Mendel update! As self-described Head Malbec Hound here, I will henceforth partake of a bottle of the regular bottling. Both are on allocation here in AB.

"Think Argentina, Drink Malbec".

Four recent Malbec notes:

2004 Alberto Furque, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, $13. Inky purple in the glass, the nose is characterized by black fruits, smoke and spice. The wine is loaded with plums and berries, backed by moderate tannins and bright acids; 88/90.

2004 Bodegas Nieto Senetiner, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, $9. The wine is underscored by plum, dried fruit and oak accents. It is well balanced, with bright acidity and soft tannins. This is a nice, inexpensive Malbec for those grilled burgers; 84/86.

2006 El Portillo, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, $12. Purple in color, with lovely blackberry, cigar leaf and cedar aromas. The wine is nicely balanced and fruity in the mouth, with berry/cherry/plum notes and modest tannins; 85/87.

2005 Salentein, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, $16. This deep purple wine is intensely aromatic, with a mélange of black fruits unfolding in the mouth. Tannins are firm but manageable. This is just the wine for that Porterhouse you’ve been eyeing; 87/90.

Randy, great notes! Some Malbecs I have posted on were quite ripe, yours do not appear to be so? Good selection nevertheless eh.

Randy, great notes. If you like the Salentein style, check to see if you can get your hands on the Salentein Reserve labels... they have a Malbec and a Merlot. Will be in another (higher) price range, but they may be to your liking.

Thanks for keeping this Open Mike going, Aaron. Know what, betcha this thread is still active when winter comes around!!! I have a couple lined up already.

I believe you're right, Bob. I sure won't be betting against the life expectancy of this O.M.

Aaron, any chance you can get the June Decanter supplement on Argentina?

Aaron, any chance you can get the June Decanter supplement on Argentina?

Good one 'eh?
I haven't yet, but I'm pretty sure I could. This link might help for any other forumites who could be interested:
"DECANTER"

Aaron, are you getting any of the new vintages out your way? The `05 Kaiken was out of stock but is back on the shelf. Also that Mendel looks good, see Alej`s response.

Page 7 coming up soon I`d wager!!!! Who would have thought eh.

Bodega Lurton Malbec 2005

Mendoza. From the brothers, Jacques and Francois.

Very dark purple.

A full-throttle wine, bursting with rich, fleshy and somewhat sweet raspberry, blueberry and blackberry fruit, some garrigue, very spicy, smoky, tangy acidity, peppery, red licorice, rather floral, with a not unpleasant bitter edge to give it a bit more bite.

An incredibly gulpable wine that just screams BBQ.

A very long finish, fruity and peppery.

Screwcap closure.

A steal at $11.15 (Canadian).

Will have to buy lots more of this for the summer BBQ season.

Bruce... Lurton makes a very good Pinot Grillo, thats also very aggresively priced, it retails for less than USD5 here in Argentina. I dont know if its available in your area, but you should try to seek it out.

Aaron, are you getting any of the new vintages out your way? The `05 Kaiken was out of stock but is back on the shelf. Also that Mendel looks good, see Alej`s response.

Page 7 coming up soon I`d wager!!!! Who would have thought eh.

Sorry, Bob, I haven't been as diligent as I should be with the new vintages. However, the other day I did try the '05 Los Cardos from Dona Paula and, although it was quite good, it did have a youthful tautness about it that to me suggests a bit of a need for some short term cellaring.
I think a year or two would do it some good to calm down the sharpness in the tannins and let the great fruit come out a little more. Other than that it was quite juicy and the acidity level was fine, balancing the dark fruit notes.
We'll be in touch. I'll re-adjust a few of my priorities and get some more Malbec tastings closer to the forefront of my wine-exploration TO-DO list.

Adios 'til then,
Aaron.