Open Mike: Malbec from Argentina.

I sampled the infamous Clos de los Sietes (sp?) today. Not bad. Lot's opf acidity and purple fruit on the nose. Definitely some oakiness, but the vanilla and coconut was not that bad. I actually liked the fuzzy tannins and the blueberry on the palette. 2 1/2*

If the `05 Brian, this must be about the 4th vintage of this wine??

The 06 vintage is about to hit the shelves here in Buenos Aires.... (way tooo soon IMHO).

`04 Don Eugenio Malbec, Uco Valley.

Corked! Will exchange shortly so stay tuned Hounds!!

The 06 vintage is about to hit the shelves here in Buenos Aires.... (way tooo soon IMHO).

Alej, are the same backers from the first vintage still involved?

Taking back my corked Don Eugenio, I decided to try the new vintage of the Altos las Hormigas. The `05 was just OK in my opinion but thought what the heck! A Marco de Grazia selection which might not be good news eh?!

14.3%alc, natural cork, $17 Cdn, opened 2 hrs, decanted but no real need?

WTN: `06 Malbec Altos las Hormigas, Mendoza.

Color. Fairly intense centre, inky w. deepish purple tinges on the rim.

Nose. Very appealing aroma here, blueberry, cherry, spice, not over-oaked. Some blackcurrant as it warms.

Palate. At first, I think this is a better malbec than the `05 even though the aroma tones do not all follow through on the taste sensation. Do not think there is syrah this time around?
Cherry on the mid-palate, softish tannins, earthy finish but.......there is something here that deters?There is some oak and blackberry but some hints of bitterness which disappear when I try to chill down. Its 2 days now in a half bottle in the fridge so guess will report back.
Cellaring might help but not sure.

For the wine Clos de los Siete yes.... but, some of the original investors are no longer an integral part of the project, there have been movements/changes.

Taking back my corked Don Eugenio, I decided to try the new vintage of the Altos las Hormigas. The `05 was just OK in my opinion but thought what the heck! A Marco de Grazia selection which might not be good news eh?!

14.3%alc, natural cork, $17 Cdn, opened 2 hrs, decanted but no real need?

WTN: `06 Malbec Altos las Hormigas, Mendoza.

Color. Fairly intense centre, inky w. deepish purple tinges on the rim.

Nose. Very appealing aroma here, blueberry, cherry, spice, not over-oaked. Some blackcurrant as it warms.

Palate. At first, I think this is a better malbec than the `05 even though the aroma tones do not all follow through on the taste sensation. Do not think there is syrah this time around?
Cherry on the mid-palate, softish tannins, earthy finish but.......there is something here that deters?There is some oak and blackberry but some hints of bitterness which disappear when I try to chill down. Its 2 days now in a half bottle in the fridge so guess will report back.
Cellaring might help but not sure.

Well Hounds, it`s three days later and the remaining wine has turned out to be quite harmonious. Not as astringent on the finish and really quite drinkable with some chocolate found at this time. Amazing eh.

Bob, if you ask me, this wine needs to sit in a cellar for another 8-12 months and will probably show in a more complete manner what it has to offer. Very interesting to hear that after three days it appears to have come around.

BTW, Bob, how did you keep the wine these three days...? vacuum pump? regular cork? in the fridge..? please post some details !!!

Usually keep in a half bottle in the fridge overnight but in this case on kitchen table in a half bottle with original cork. I do use vacuvin in some instances however.

I have mentioned that the Hormigas showed up a lot better after a couple of days and, believe it or not, the Crios Malbec from Susana Balbo has had a similar transformation overnight!!

WTN: `06 Crios Malbec Susana Balbo, Bodegas del Plata Mendoza.

Black synthetic cork, 13.5% alc, $17 Cdn. Not decanted as back label brags "meant to be enjoyed in vibrant youth". So a completely different style from the regular bottling I raved about! Oh, the `06 vintage is supposed to be top notch.

Color. Reddish purple, not too big a centre, watery thin purple rim. Yup, looks youthful!

Nose. Looks going on here, vibrant cherry, spice, hint of oak. Some blackberry fruits after 2 hrs.

Palate. Initial mouthfeel entry is the jammyness! Plum, raspberry, cherry that is over-ripe. Squishy. I really wonder about the acidity here and do not think there is a big drinking window with this one. Consume whilst young.
Big however though `cos next day has really developed some grip! More structure, some cocoa, very soft tannins but not so jammy . Ok, not a blockbuster but this one has some nice merits. I`ve tried it, will not buy again, so much more out there to taste but I will keep eye open next year.
Maybe Alej has some thoughts on this vintage?

Bob, the 2006 is in general getting very positive reviews. I must confess to not having tasted any of the 2006 Susana Balbo wines (with the exception of the Torrontes), so I cannot comment on the specific label you are writing about.

Having said this, Susana Balbo makes very consistent wines, so IMO the vintage variations will be really noticeable in the higher end wines (e.g. the Brioso Blend). All here entry level and QPR series of wines have been in my experience very reliable and constant.

Thanks Alej, great stuff.

Its snowing up here in N Alberta so time to think Malbec one more time!! Here is an interesting note from our good friend Jamie Goode.........>>

http://www.wineanorak.com/blog/labels/malbec.html

BTW, Bob, how did you keep the wine these three days...? vacuum pump? regular cork? in the fridge..? please post some details !!!

Put half of original bottle into a split and save in the fridge!

Some new buys forumites........................

Achaval-Ferrer Malbec.
VistAlba Corte C.
Alta Vista Premium Malbec.

Looking forward to your notes...... my guess is that you will go 2 for 3 on this selection....

Thanks Alej. Guess what, today is first anniversary of this Open Mike! Great to see we are still going strong alto` think Malbec takes a back-seat to Shiraz this month with all the interest over there on Wine Focus.

edit..I did manage to find a Shiraz/Malbec from Temple Bruer!

Shiraz...... hmmmm, reminds me I need to open one of my 2003 Dear Arm's....

Alej...Dead Arm!!

Met up with the Dona Paula rep today and sampled the Brokenwood Semillon and the new `06 Dona Paula Malbec. These guys sure know how to produce a crowd-pleaser. Very much a drink now style, good nose but thought the finish a tad short. Still think looking for the Reserve is the way to go.
Avoid the entry level Chardonnay forumites. I tried that too, a very confected finish IMO.

Looking forward to your notes...... my guess is that you will go 2 for 3 on this selection....

Further good news, I have found some more `03 Balbo Malbec!!

Bob, if you ask me, this wine needs to sit in a cellar for another 8-12 months and will probably show in a more complete manner what it has to offer. Very interesting to hear that after three days it appears to have come around.

Sure, can put one away for research purposes!
Question....just saw a bottle of A Lisa Patagonia. Thats all the front label said!! Back label mentions Malbec, Rio Negro Valley, Noemia.

Any thoughts Alej?

Pascul Toso Malbec 2005
Maipu Vineyards, Mendoza

Dark purple in the glass.

Very smoky nose, with rich, fresh crushed fruit.

Very black, with juicy and fleshy black cherry, blackberries, slightly creamy, a hint of chocolate, light tannins, black licorice, tarry, good acidity which gives the wine an edge which keeps everything moving along.

A very rich wine, with big fruit flavours, but with enough acidity to keep it fresh and edgy.

Purchased at $12.95 (Canadian).

Wow, that looks like a bargain Bruce. As the weather closes in, sure time to think Malbec again! Have a few lined up of course.

The A Lisa is the entry level wine made by the folks of Bodege Noemia. This producer is owned by the Marone Cinzano family... the same folks who apart from the Cinzano Aperitiv are the makers of Argiano (Montalcino, Italy).

The A Lisa is a Malbec with a small amount of Merlot... Malbec from Patagonia does not express itself in the same way as typical Mendoza Malbec... I find it to be less explosive in its fruit expression but having more in terms of minerality and also a different aromatic profile. I like all the wines made by Noemia, although their top of the line Noemia Malbec is very expensive. For the best QPR I suggest the A Lisa and their second label J Alberto.