Open Mike: Malbec from Argentina.

Bob
Not as far as I'm aware - pure Malbec AFAIK.
They also do a Merlot/Malbec blend that's a little cheaper and a sister wine the reserve Merlot, of which we also have one bottle remaining. The merlot is much the earlier drinker of the two and I'd look to polish off the last bottle next year. The Malbec will probably be given another 3-5 years or more if I really fancy a gamble.
regards
Ian

Thanks Ian, am plowing through the last of the Flinders Bay. Really not too impressed, same with the Sorin Bandol!! Wow.

As I finish the Sorin Bandol, have opened the `03 Catena Malbec. Now we`re talking, stay tuned forumites!!
On PBS in a few minutes, Nova and who arrived here first....the Vikings??!!!

[James Roscoe]

Are they rerunning that old Nova program about the Vikings discovering America from the early nineties or is it an updated version? I show a Nova show on the Vikings to my students every year that is getting a little long in the tooth.

Probably the same one, about the forged Vinland Map.

Just a brief tasting note as I am having popup problems here and virus alerts!! This has been a long interesting Open Mike eh.

WTN:`03 Catena Malbec.

Opened one hour, not decanted, 14% alc.

Colour is dark ruby-red w.pale violet tinges on rim. The nose is all expresso, plum, cherry, hint of toasty oak. Nice! On the palate, chocolate big time, slightly tannic with brambleberry,plum, currants. Lengthy finish, some oak. Sour cherry and hint of leather after 2 hrs. Very good wine, would buy again.

WTN And it ain't over yet, Bob.

2004 Jelu Malbec San Juan Zonda Vally Argentina. 13.5% alcohol. Imported by T. Edwards Wines NY NY. "Jelu" means "sun" in Huarpe. Organic. $5.75 a glass at Endless Vines, Franklin Lakes. Deep purple black color, deep hue, good aroma of fruit, very good fruit taste, but very strong acidity and almost no tannins, overtones of smoke, medium mouth feel, long acidic finish. It would be hard to find a good food to match this wine with, I think, perhaps as the label suggest, barbeque, depending on the style. Not for me. 2*.

Regards, Bob

Notes: This wine gets plenty of play on the organic wine sites, probably because of its price and pedigree. For example:

The 2004 Jelu Malbec is a treat to drink not only for the sweet dark cherry burst in your mouth, and the smoky bouquet with hints of vanilla, but also because of its value. This Malbec costs between $10 - $14 a bottle and could easily become a regular in the everyday wine lineup. Not terribly complex, the 2004 Jelu Malbec has enough body to compliment saucy dishes, rich cheeses and even an organic chocolate Valentine's Day gift. The vineyards are located at 900 meters above sea level, specifically to tap into the terroir of the Zonda Valley in Mendoza, Argentina. The vines grow in soils made of large pudding stones and riverbank shingle, forcing the roots to run deep. The grapes are hand picked and traditional methods are used to produce the wine. No chemicals are used in the growing or harvesting of the grapes. http://www.reallynatural.com/archives/o ... lbec_1.php

We tried this awhile ago and very much enjoyed a 2002 Terrazas Reserva Malbec from Argentina. It was reasonably priced at ~$16. We visited Argentina 11/04 and brought back a case and this was our favorite. Little did we know that it is readily available in the US until we returned.

I suppose I should write some tasting notes, but haven't ever for anyone other than our own personal wine tasting book and don't feel ready to start. Perhaps soon I'll get up the nerve...

That a pretty good tasting note right there, Christy. They don't have to be any more complex.

Well done.

Please keep posting just like that, adding details if you feel like it. There aren't any rules, really.

Regards, Bob

Bob, I recently picked up the '05 Dona Paula, and though I thought it might be too young, it turned out OK.

Nose: Intense plum and dark berries.

Palate: Again, that strong plum, with sour cherries, coffee and chocolate. A smooth, buttery mouthfeel.

The finish was weak, however, and the wine seemed to thin out over the two hours we drank it. It also developed a taste I can't place, but associate with homemade wines. Not a good thing.

It wasn't a bad wine, but I won't be picking up the '05 again.

That a pretty good tasting note right there, Christy. They don't have to be any more complex.

Well done.

Please keep posting just like that, adding details if you feel like it. There aren't any rules, really.

Regards, Bob

Bob R, as usual, is spot on. No rules, no timelimit, just write what comes to mind. I think we should give this Open Mike more airplay so lets see some more impressions of Malbec.

Slightly OT... but, for those wanting to experiment with something different from Argentina, I suggest looking into Sparkling Wines.

WTN: 1992 Weinert Malbec Medndoza Argentina. 13.5% alcohol. Imported by Vinos USA Inc, Waynesville, N.C. Janet and I had a number of Weinert Malbec early in my wine journeys; I've posted the notes for those from 1997 down below; there were three 1992s, a 1991, and a bitterly disappointing 1977. [I was trying to make a good first impression on a bunch of advanced lovers in this area, but failed miserably. I know a corked wine isn't really my fault, but I always feel guilty when one appears, especially one that the mighty Parker touted as the "Best Ever" from South America. Ah well ...]

Pretty red color with just a bit of browning, surprisingly bright for a 14 year old wine, medium hue, pretty aroma featuring berries, cedar and complex spices with hints of chocolate, violets, earth and nuts, very good fruit, spice and chocolate tastes with hints of earth and a meaty/nutty character, very smooth tannins, tiny bit of acidity, very good balance, medium mouth feel, long finish with many different impressions: berries, cedar, earth, chocolate, nuts, but oddly single note despite the complexity. This wine had gained in stature since I tasted it eight years ago, but I'm not sure I didn't prefer the younger version. It held up beautifully over two hours in the glass and decanter and threw only the slightest deposit. 4*+.

Regards, Bob

Notes:

Label: Type of Wine: Fine Dry Red Wine. Characteristics: This Fine Red Wine obtained from the fine vitis vinefera Malbec graps, which have found ideal natural conditions in Lujan de Cuyo, Medoza. This is a full-bodied wine, rich in color and noble tannins, offering an aroma of violets. Aging in French Oak casks magnifies a complex bouquet of red berries, vanilla, cedar and rich spices. Acidity: g/l 4.60 tartaric acid.

2/27/97 1991 Weinert Malbec Mendoza Argentina. Deep red color; intense aroma of fruit and chocolate; strong fruit and chocolate taste with mild tannins and acid, secondary taste of nuts; 15 second finish. 3*.

2/28/97 1992 Weinert Malbec Mendoza Argentina. Similar to 1991 release, but more intense fruit and chocolate aromas; stronger fruit taste; more intense nutty flavors; 15 to 20 second finish. 4*.

3/1/97 1992 Weinert Malbec Mendoza Argentina. Janet: very nice. Same as last night. 4*.

7/5/97 1992 Weinert Malbec Mendoza Argentina. Label: Fine dry red wine. This fine red wine obtained from the fine vitis vinefera Malbec grapes, which have found ideal natural conditions in Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. This is a full bodied wine, rich in color and noble tannins, offering splendid aromas of violets. Aging in French oak casks magnifies a complex bouquet of red berries, vanilla, cedars and rich spices.

Videos and watermelon with Janet; she thought this wine was too acid. My take: intense fruit and chocolate aromas; strong fruit taste; nutty flavors; 15 to 20 second finish. 4*.

Offline of South American wines in 2000: 1977 Weinert Malbec Argentina. $75. [Parker: "Best" ever wine from South America he writes. Petroleum. No, corked? No, definitely petroleum. Not much fruit, either. Let's give it fifteen minutes. … Corked and Petroleum. Let's give it up! Corked. 1*.

Here is another, a sample dropped off at the Grill. `04 Torino Don David Malbec, Cafayate Valley. Some serious Malbec here, big depth of colour.
Nose of blackberry and cherry w. smoke and toast. Good QPR. Palate has some spicy oak, licorice, black fruits, soft tannins. Not spoofed, very nice and still good after 48 hrs.

"Spoofed" -- nice, Bob.

The search goes on! Here`s one with the Rolland touch...yeah, I know but this was a sample at DeVines so no complaints!!

WTN: `04 Malbec Tugungate Valley--Sophenia.

Situated at over 4000ft and winery opened in `97 with lots of fanfare. My brief overall impression was plums, pruney, oak spice, licorice. Tad light but very good character for this varietal. Good acidity and tannin structure, not a big keeper.

Cost n/a.

Fashionably late here:

2003 Andeluna Mendoza Malbec Winemaker’s Selection, $12.99, 14% alc.: Dark garnet from rim to rim, showing some nice complexity, with deep, dark, earthy black currant and black berry shaded with well integrated notes of sweet oak, leather, coffee, rock & rye, tobacco and just a hint of tar. Full bodied, with the structure to age and improve for a few years and good length on the finish, this (Malbec arguably being the “unofficial” national red wine of Argentina) is already more than just approachable, especially when served with the national food of Argentina, beef, prepared in any variety of ways. A QPR All Star.

Reporting from day-twah,

geo t.

That a pretty good tasting note right there, Christy. They don't have to be any more complex.

Well done.

Please keep posting just like that, adding details if you feel like it. There aren't any rules, really.

Regards, Bob

Just to follow up here, I found a couple of new name (to me) Malbecs here in Edmonton.

`03 Susane Balbo.
`04 Ben Marco.

Both were priced around $24 Cdn.

**** doing a google, Susana Balbo has quite a good track record. Might splurge out here!

Let the resurrection begin!
I don't think this post has quite lived up to it's potential so I'm doing my part to initiate a resurgence with this tasting note -

Salentein Malbec 2003 Mendoza Alta Valle De Uco 14.5%alc.

Great, deep violet-red colour. Bottled unfiltered, but has tremendous clarity! Outstanding fruity nose - Bing cherries, black plums, bit of cassis and a touch of earthiness. On the palate it's bright and buoyant, very expressive of dark fruit, but not like a super-power-fruit-driven-throught-the-roof-alcahol wine (although it's getting there at 14.5%) It's a great balance of fruit and earth -- this is very "Malbec"! Much like the nose, but I'm sensing some jamminess that's not cloying at all, but rather refreshing - strawbery jam, I think. The finish is medium long, a bit astringent, but typical. Tannins are definitely expressing youth. I think there's plenty of acid here to withstand several more years of cellaring.
Good stuff! I'll certainly buy another!

Good job Aaron, keep this one going till the New Year!!!

Andrea Robinson sent me a Malbec three days ago, Bob. Pretty good albeit a little acidic tonight. Let's see how it performs Sunday.

Great recipe at least.

More anon.

Regards, Bob

Look forward to the notes Bob. I think it is fair to say this has been the best Open Mike so far....and still going strong! I have found a couple more to taste in the next few days.

It will be tough to start a better one, Bob. But ... I've got confidence in you.

Look forward to the notes Bob. I think it is fair to say this has been the best Open Mike so far....and still going strong! I have found a couple more to taste in the next few days.

You're right Bob, "our" shared intuition has definitely been the backbone of this particular Open Mike. Go us!!