Open Mike: Malbec from Argentina.

On the subject of Naiara... Ive been offered these wines for over 2 years now and still refuse to have then on my list. Will only source them on order... Im not impressed with the style.

As an aside, am sitting on some `04-`07 Achaval- Ferrer. Not the fancy high price ones I might add!! Never quite sure where to go with these? Cellar-tracker notes not much help either.

They are probably ageworthy, but why not ask the winery for their opinion on drinking windows? They are very approachable.
winery@achaval-ferrer.com or sachaval@achaval-ferrer.com for Santiago Achaval.

I was in the Grill this evening and had a chance to taste a glass of the `05 Naiara Malbec. I was not impressed with this big burly tannic monster and have to wonder what the wine selection committee was thinking! Not a name I am familiar with so imput welcome. The Senetier I tasted down the street at DeVines at the tasting bar was a much better wine. They also make a nice sparkler btw.

Bob... the producer you mention last would appear to be Nieto Senetiner... or am I mistaken? Which sparkler did you sample..? I was not aware that Nieto was exporting.... would appreciate any details you could share.

As an aside, am sitting on some `04-`07 Achaval- Ferrer. Not the fancy high price ones I might add!! Never quite sure where to go with these? Cellar-tracker notes not much help either.

They are probably ageworthy, but why not ask the winery for their opinion on drinking windows? They are very approachable.
winery@achaval-ferrer.com or sachaval@achaval-ferrer.com for Santiago Achaval.

Bob... do you have the Achaval Malbec Mendoza or is it the Quimera blend you have...? If you are cellaring the Malbec Mendoza, I think that the 04 and 05 are at their peaks and will not gain anything further from additional cellaring. The 06 and 07 are different... I think the 06 will be a long living vintage in general.. the 07 I would consume starting 3rd Quarter of 2009.

For those looking for a new name from Argentina... here is a producer that I would have folks consider:

Durigutti (Familia Durigutti Winemakers). This is a two brother team that have made names for themselves in the industry with many years of work for others... until a few years ago when they started to build their own operation. I suggest folks be on the lookout for these.

On the issue of the expensive new world wines (from Australia, Argentina, South Africa, etc.).... Im getting unconfirmed reports that due to the current financial mess some retailers in NYC and other large US cities are heavily discounting top wines... some of the USD100+ wines are now being offered at prices south of USD60.... so perhaps this is a unique time to try some of these and see if they are something one would care to cellar...?

Bob... the producer you mention last would appear to be Nieto Senetiner... or am I mistaken? Which sparkler did you sample..? I was not aware that Nieto was exporting.... would appreciate any details you could share.




N/V Brut Mendoza $19 Cdn. That is all I can tell you!

The Achaval are all from Mendoza, the entry level wines I guess. Thanks for the imput, start drinking eh.

[James Roscoe]

I am ressurecting this thread to post today's wine column from the Washington Post. It might be of interest to the Malbec Hounds in the crowd. Here it is. Enjoy! (The author may be familiar. I hope he doesn't mind my posting this link. Great column Dave!)

Nice one JR. Dave is now an honorary Malbec Hound!

[James Roscoe]

Time to try one of Dave's reccos out and report back here Bob. What do you think?

JR, get opening! There is so much Malbec from Argentina out there. This OM could be endless eh.
I have a Weinert lined up then Kaiken and Balbao.

Time to try one of Dave's reccos out and report back here Bob. What do you think?

Yup, some good ones there. Need to get this `07 Kaiken out of my system first however. The `05 highlight note was "sucking on a lead pencil". Yikes!

WTN: `07 Kaiken Malbec Mendoza.

Previous vintages are found here in this OM. This `07 was $18 Cdn, 14.5% alc, not decanted.

Color is a bright red-ruby w. deepish purple tinges on the rim. Big aromatics on the nose, blueberry, chocolate initially, red berries but "woody" from across the table.
Integrated ripe tannins, slight hint of bitterness on the finish without food. Medium-bodied, plum, not too easy drinking. Not a great effort from Kaiken, after 24 hrs, softened up a little but bitter streak still there.