Malbec - Interesting complex variety or one-dimensionsal?

Bob, you are one sick dude. Is it really that cold up on the ranch? What the heck, maybe this proves there really is a life after death.

JR, I am going one step further in my malaise (one sick dude), I am going to suggest that decanting a Rudera Chenin Blanc from SA might have been a good idea.

Bob, you are one sick dude. Is it really that cold up on the ranch? What the heck, maybe this proves there really is a life after death.

JR, I am going one step further in my malaise (one sick dude), I am going to suggest that decanting a Rudera Chenin Blanc from SA might have been a good idea. There, that should get things humming along here again!!!

Bob, I don't think talking about Chenin Blanc will get things humming in a thread with a topic heading of Malbec because if a Chenin Blanc fan doesn't like Malbec, they won't even look here.

I share the views of those that say that Malbec (like other varietals) can be found in many different qualities. There is plonk from everywhere, even from regions that are considered the "holy grail" of winemaking.

Generalizations are very dangerous, and leaving conspiracy theories aside, I am of the idea that while its perfectly fine to have everybody voice their own opinion on any given wine, wine producing style, and wine producing region, I also think that its usually best to do so with a degree of respect & decorum. When such opinions get vulgar, insulting, cocky & insolent - focus moves away from wine and concentrates on the "critic" or "consumer" who choose to "publish" them.

Well said!

Malbec is starting to make progress in New Zealand with 168 hectares expected to contribute to this years production. There have been some stellar varietal wines produced - from Stonyridge on Waiheke Island, Villa Maria, Esk Valley and Mills Reef in Hawkes Bay and Fromm in Marlborough

WTN: Mills Reef Elspeth Malbec 2005 - Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Deep crimson red-black in colour, opaque to the core, the violet floral character of Malbec is a key fragrance of the dark, smoky aroma together with spicy cedar and fragrant herbs. A nuggetty, earthy wine with stewed plum and berry fruit, spice and cigar-like French oak, the meaty tannins are ripe and smooth while the savoury aftertaste has nuances of chocolate over juicy summer berries with rose petals and tar, and the finish is long.
A concentrated wine from a low cropping vintage due to a cool start at flowering time, but the heat arrived in the middle of summer and stayed, allowing the grapes to get to full ripeness. Interesting and complex, I rate this wine excellent. It's one of the superstar Malbecs from NZ and was released here about three weeks ago.

Cheers,
Sue

Thanks Sue for your imput. I have edited my comment out just to make you happy. Please see my PM.

Thanks Sue for your imput. I have edited my comment out just to make you happy. Please see my PM. Btw should the WTN heading read Malbec, not Merlot!!

Oooops sorry boss! Computer/confuser error my end here.

Hi Sue,

I echo Robin's comments about there being many kinds of Argentinian malbecs.

Here is a malbec wine tasting note from Michael Vaughn's March 3 column. He is the wine critic for the Canadian newspaper National Post.

Finca Flichman 2005 Expresiones Reserve (507707) at $15.95. This classy, well-structured, oak-aged blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon has a very intense deep purple colour and 14.5% alcohol. It has a toasty, spicy, baked black cherry nose and solid, plummy, slightly smoky, ripe black cherry flavours that linger perfectly on the palate.

Here is my tasting note:

Deep purple color with just slight fade to medium purple red at edge. Nice rich nose of cassis, plums, tobacco, and rich oak. Nicely balanced wine that gives a full mid-palate impression of rich dark fruit, acidity and fine tannins. The long finish is a fine mix of fruit, smooth tannins and mouth-watering acidity.

This is one of the best Malbecs I have tasted in some time.

Tom, are you seeing any new vintages out your way? The `06s from the Crios label of Susana Balbo have just arrived,

Hi Bob,

Good question. The most recent Argentinian malbecs offered by LCBO vintages are Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2005 ($18.95) and Lurton Malbec reserva 2005 ($14.95). I have not seen any 2006s yet. However, I haven't purchased any malbecs recently and do not always take notice of the LCBO offerings every two weeks. It is probably time to think about restocking as I think the only one left in my cellar is a bottle of Norton Malbec reserva 2004.

Go for the Kaiken first of all. I had a rough 2nd bottle of the `04, but others were great. The new vintage of Altos las Hormigas needs 3 days to open up!!!

Hi Bob,

Good suggestion. Here is the review of Kaiken from yesterday's edition of the Toronto Star by wine columnist Gord Stimmel:

KAIKEN ULTRA 2005 MALBEC (ARGENTINA) $18.95

A big red with loads of power, yet wonderfully balanced fruit and oak stylings. Aromas of black cherry, pencil shavings and vanilla spill into flavours distinguished by cassis or black currants, blackberry and vanilla. Long on the finish.

LCBO # 50849

Food suggestion: Steak au poivre.

Rating: 90

Jamie Goode has some thoughts on Cahors, scroll down right hand side! Alain Perrin chat and thoughts.

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