Open Mike: Malbec from Argentina.

2004 Bodega NORTON Reserva Malbec Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza 14% alc.

This one was only a slight let down for me. I've gotten used to great fruit intensity with Arga. Malbecs and this one steered more in the earthy direction. The great Malbec color was there - deep crimson/purple. The nose wasn't quite as perfumy intense as I'm used to either, although it was plenty pleasant. On the palate it was nice, medium-heavy, some dark fruit (blackberry, black cherry) but not the mouth filling jamminess I'm I've grown accustomed to. There's quite a few earth notes here along with some cocoa, leather, tobacco and a very faint tar/petroleum nuance. Finish was smooth although slightly tannic, med. long with a smidgen of alc. warmth.

Not too bad overall for me, but would probably appeal more to someone who prefers the earthy/chemical side of a wine's complexity structure.

[James Roscoe]

Aaron, I have never been a big fan of the Norton products. I can't say why. They are never "bad". They are just never as good as I think they should be so I don't reach for them with all the value on the Argintinian shelf.

See forumites, this thread still active!! Guess we will just carry on here, who`s up next?

See forumites, this thread still active!! Guess we will just carry on here, who`s up next?

Bob, I expect this thread will live on for at least a couple more months.
Personally, I've got a few more Malbecs up my sleeve, er uh, on my shelf! An '03, '05, and a brand new baby '06. That last one was kind of a hint.

Stay tuned for the "rest of the story".

See forumites, this thread still active!! Guess we will just carry on here, who`s up next?

Damn Bob,

You're going to make me go BUY an Argentine Malbec aren't you? I'll post next week.



Prost!
Bill

Bill, you are my kinda guy!! We all anticipate great tasting notes naturally. Here is a brief tasting note from my Xmas festivities but have to admit this entry level Malbec was blown away by a `04 Vat 1 De Bortoli P Sirah.

WTN: `04 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec.

Dark inky purple colour, nose was blackberry, boysenberry and some oak tones. On the palate, some tannins and good acidity. Seemed a tad "international" for some present, at least that was my conclusion from their remarks!! Sweet cherry, blackberry and cocoa but needed more of that rustic grip I admire. Good QPR, around $18 Cdn.

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!

From what I can find out, seems Ben Marco is same company .Run by her husband according to Kysela website.

Well, here`s another one that I thought might have needed some cellar time until I read a tasting note somewhere. This is an old traditional house but one would never have guessed from the notes here. Very modern style of Malbec in my mind.

WTN: `04 Malbec Reserva-Bodegas Nieto Senetiner, Mendoza.

Opened 4 hours, not decanted, 14%, natural cork.

Colour. Bright purple, medium intense centre.

Nose. Oak, spice, boysenberry, ripe black fruits. Some earthyness apparent on opening but dissipates.

Palate. Excellent berry fruits here. Plum, spice, gd grip. Soft acidity and low tannins (?). Hint of oak and licorice on the finish, no pepper. Needs food.
Have to say I expected more guts here but will try next vintage.My other notes tell me that the `03 I tasted was similar to this one.

Cost was around $20 Cdn.

See forumites, this thread still active!! Guess we will just carry on here, who`s up next?

Damn Bob,

You're going to make me go BUY an Argentine Malbec aren't you? I'll post next week.



Prost!
Bill

Look out for Susan Balbao, there Bill !! C`mon you laggards, who`s posting next!!!
Can you believe...18,000 views!!

Bob,

I even bought my bottle already. I haven't had a chance to open it yet. Who knows? Maybe tonight.


Prost!
Bill

Well, here`s another TN from one of the resident Malbec Hounds here. Not sure what is a-happening here at Hormigas but Robin did warn us!!

WTN: `05 Malbec Altos Las Hormigas, Mendoza.

13.9% alc, synthetic cork, opened one hour and not decanted. Right off the bat, this one ain`t going anywhere as its too commercial in style and does not repesent Malbec as I know it.

Colour. Big rich looking dark ruby w. purple towards the rim.

Nose. Smells ripe, raspberry, some oak and plums. This is Malbec?

Palate. Initial entry mouthfeel thought is "Syrah blended in here?" There is also a slight spritz/fermentation going on here, altho` it dissipated the 2nd day. Tannins not too harsh, overall good grip but too one-dimensional for me. No challenges here forumites.
Slightly jammy, berryish, blackcurrant ands hint of briar. This is a wine of two opposites, ripe entry and dry finish. There is a lot better out there looking at this long running thread.

2005 Pascual Toso, Maipo Vineyard, Mendoza, Malbec ($12.99). Alcohol level: 13.6%. The first Malbec we've had in a while and don't know why.

Really nice, it had what we like in a wine, peasant lustiness. Almost pitch black color, overripe fruit and spice on the nose and upfront, massive complexity and chewy tannin cross the palate, all followed with an elegant and prolonged finish.

Carl, welcome to the newly formed Malbec Hound section of this forum!!! I am self-imposed leader and by 6pm will have a T shirt to prove it!!

Malbec Hound.
Think Argentina!!

Bob... interesting you would think "shiraz" in your notes above... reminds me of the other thread I started related to Malbec & Shiraz.

Carl, welcome to the newly formed Malbec Hound section of this forum!!! I am self-imposed leader and by 6pm will have a T shirt to prove it!!

Malbec Hound.
Think Argentina!!

I am now the proud owner of a new Tshirt, as described, red lettering and two lines. $44 Cdn plus shipping....wow!!!! What no buyers?

[James Roscoe]

Robin needs to set up a shop on the WLDG site. He could make money with t-shirts like that. He just needs a partner. Any takers?

Can you upload a picture of the shirt for us Bob?

No way of doing that here at Doris Ranch!! No scanner.

BTW we are still waiting to see a photo of Otto with the Musar Rocks shirt I sent him.

Popped into rival restaurant and staff, with the rep, tasting the newly arrived `04 vintage from Catena. Happily after looking over some shoulders, was invited to sample!! Always a fan of this estate btw.

WTN: `04 Bodegas Catena Malbec, Mendoza.

Colour is a deep purple and nose shows brief hint of vanilla, blackberry, cassis, some meatyness. Thought it was a bit closed but lousy glass naturallly.
On the palate, spice, blueberry and new oak? Still has good tannins but love the grip and depth. The `03 had a shorter finish than this one, will definately retaste. Very nice length, especially in the mid-palate.

Oh, I was not wearing my new T Shirt!!!

Bob, have you tasted the Alta label of the Malbec? For my taste, these export versions greatly benefit from some additional cellaring as the extra time allows for a more complete oak integration. The export versions of Catena Wines are always some 12-18 months ahead of their local market releases. As a comparison, the Angelica Zapata Malbec Alta label has just only recently released the 2003 vintage, while the Catena Alta 2004 (its export quasi-equivalent) was made available various months ago.

BTW, Im in the market for one of those t-shirts of yours...

The Malbec Hound here in heaven...wake up, check into the forum and a whole bunch of overnight posts from Alej. Who put you up to this frantic activity?!!!!!

BTW it is only recently that the high end wines have started showing up here in the north. Some will be in the cellar for sure!!

2003 - Terra Rosa - Old Vine Malbec - Mendoza - 14.5% alc.

First Malbec I've encountered with a screwcap closure. The color is dark (purple/red), but not quite as "inky" dark I'm as used to. Good aromatics on the nose, however, not spectacular; says dark fruit with a bit of rose petal. On the palate it's a bit brazen and rustic; probably something the "Malbec Hound" would howl for (a.k.a. - Bob P.). There's some fruit up front, but not nearly as forward as I'm inclined to prefer; raspberry, red currant, plenty of acid. Finishes off with medium length accompanied by notes of tar, leather, subtle oak and, notable but not yucky, tannic astrigency. Just on the verge of packing too much warmth, though. Not bad. How could it be "bad" anyway? It's another "malbec" experience! Born of the 3000 ft. mountain slopes of Mendoza, Argentina! So get yourself a slab of cow or a pizza pie, a bottle of malbec, and enjoy! Unless you're someone who enjoys wine for what it is by itself unaccompanied by culinary distraction. But for me -- bring on the food, the wine, and let's dine!

Whooooooo! Thats the stuff Aaron. You too can be a Malbec Hound with posts like that.
Another wine from the higher elevations that is getting a ton of positive press.

Whooooooo! Thats the stuff Aaron. You too can be a Malbec Hound with posts like that.
Another wine from the higher elevations that is getting a ton of positive press.

Yeah, baby, yeah!!
Stay tuned, there's more forthcoming;
from the living legend of the Mountains of Mendoza called - "MALBEC"!