As self-described Head of the Malbec Hounds, I think I have found, in my experience, the ultimate malbec so lets go!
WTN: `02 Bodega O. Fournier Malbec Acrux, Valle de Uco, Mendoza.
14% alc, $47 Cdn. 80% Fr.oak, 17months new oak, non-filtered. Tom Stevenson thinks "exceptional vintage year" in his Wine Report `07 issue.
Bodega founded in 2000, also have property in Ribera de Duero.
Good natural cork, opened 2 hours then decanted.
Colour. Inky intense centre, thin purple rim. Huge colour here.
Nose. Shows some herbal and berryish notes. Savoury spice and some tarryness. This, forumites, explodes out of the glass.
Palate. Initial mouthfeel entry is dense, chewy, earthy tannins with savoury spice. Cherry, black fruits to the forefront, well sort of, behind the oak! Lots of varietal character here, seems more European in style than some of the riper ones I have been tasting of late. Not a lot of pepper here and no sediment noted.
Some tobacco starting to show after 3 hrs in the decanter, "Hint of graphite and lead pencil" thought my better half. After 24 hrs, not much change in the nose but some blackcurrant on a still tight finish. "Tannic structure quite manageable".
So did I open too early? Probably but this Malbec has it all!