Echeverre 2005 Carmenere, 14% abv, $12.95 $CAN
Deep purple with just a slight fade to edge. Dark fruit (purple plums, blackberries, and black raspberries) and spicy fruit initially on the nose. Drying tannins, sour cherries, and nice acidity on the midpalate with some tannic shutdown. Long acidic and tannic finish. Nose evolved to red grapefruit about an hour later on with red grapefruit on the palate also, with less tannic shutdown (but my tongue may have been on tannic overload by that time).
Concha y Toro 2004 Reserva Carmenere, 14.5% abv $29.95 $CAN.
Deep dark purple all the way to edge. Oak, dark fruit, dusty leather cassis, and cedar on the nose. Oak a bit much initially on the palate with nice acidity, big tannins, and subdued dark fruit. Burnt butter on the long finish. This wine evolved considerably over the night and started to exhibit earthiness, spice and floral notes. The oak blew off and it seemed more balanced after an hour or so. This wine was tight when we first tasted it. Definitely needs some time in the cellar to bring out its best qualities.
Platero Malbec 2005, 14.1% abv $14.95 $CAN
Deep purple to mahogany edge. Mushrooms, tobacco, dark chocolate and dark roasted coffee on the nose. Nice smooth tannins, bright acidity with boysenberries and blackberries on the palate. A long finish of oaky tannins. This wine evolved somewhat with more fruit on the finish after about an hour.
Altos Las Homigas, Malbec Reserva 2004 14.5% abv $28.95 $CAN
Purple red with slight fade to edge. Bacon, dark fruit (black cherry), spicy black pepper and green pepper notes on the nose. Smoky plums, dark cherries, moderate acidity and grippy tannins. Nice long tannic finish. This wine could probably use some time in the cellar to evolve more.
Catena Zapata Alamos 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon 14.0% abv $14.95 $CAN
Deep purple to edge. Plummy nose with anise, candy, and menthol notes. Reminds me of a beaujolais nose, definitely not a classic cab nose. Nice plum and pepper on the midpalate with moderate tannins and acidity. This medium bodied wine has a medium long finish of fruit.
Catena Zapata 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon 14.0% abv $19.95 $CAN
Garnet wine with slight fade to edge. Initially a shy nose of smoky oak and black and red currants. Nose evolved to include herbal and spicy notes with time and became much more expressive after an hour. Smooth tannins and good acidity, with black cherry and cassis on the midpalate. Medium long fruity finish. This medium bodied wine was well balanced and just got better and better as it opened up. Probably benefit from some cellar time.
My purchases from the night: Echeverre Carmenere (my first purchase of this variety) and Catena Zapata 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. These were my favorite two wines, partially because they evolved so much during the tasting and because I think they were very well balanced and would go well with food
.