I’ve reviewed the 2010 vintage of this wine previously. The label of the 2011 vintage tasted here persists with describing its wine as “Malbec Oak”, which strikes me as an unusual description. Unexpectedly then, I felt the 2011 vintage of this wine didn’t stylistically feature much oak influence. In the glass, the 2011 is rather…Continue readingValle Las Acequias Malbec Oak 2011
The 2015 vintage of Layer Cake’s malbec presents as very ripe in style, with distinctive fruit cake aromatics. The palate is primary in expression, very sweet fruited and somewhat unconvincing. (Region: Mendoza, Argentina, Rating: Acceptable, Would I buy it based on this tasting? No, Drink: now, Tasted: Jan, 2017) Read more:layercakewines.com Other vintages reviewed:NilContinue readingLayer Cake Malbec 2015
This wine from Mendoza in Argentina is made by a joint venture between Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and the Catena family in Mendoza. It’s a resounding success. The blend is 60-70% malbec and 30-40% cabernet sauvignon, and sees a restrained 20% new oak. In the glass, the wine is full bodied, with blackcurrant aromas and…Continue readingDomaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and Nicolas Cantena Amancaya Gran Reserva Malbec Cabernet 2013
Well, I’m back at the desk having returned from a couple of weeks abroad in British Columbia in Canada. It was not a wine trip, but naturally I could not help wanting to look in on some of the wines of this remarkable continent, north and south. I’ve written on these pages previously in praise…Continue readingBack at the desk; Clos de los Siete 2013
One of the things I like about wine is just when you think you are getting to grips with the wines and styles of particular regions, you are reminded that there are regions and possibly whole countries which produce wine where frankly more work is required. Observations such as these require some pause for thought…Continue readingVina Cobos Lujan de Cuyo Malbec 2013
Here is a roundup of a few South American wines tasted abroad. These wines continue to impress. Most are available in Australia, with the honourable exception of the first one. Naturally, of course, that is the wine that I would most wish to buy. Clos de los Siete Mendoza 2011, ArgentinaThis is another good release…Continue readingSome South Americans – Clos de los Siete 2011, Valle Las Acequias Mendoza 2010, Los Vascos Grand Reserve 2011 and Norton Privada Mendoza 2011
Almost as black as oil in the glass, this Argentinian malbec is a flavour saturated and hearty introduction to Argentinian malbec. It is a rather joyous and unrestrained wine that demands a fat steak as its companion, at a time when many wine cognoscenti would permit only wines that are elegant and finessed, notwithstanding these…Continue readingKaiken Ultra Malbec 2012
The weight of this bottle is, well, normal. This is unexpected for malbec from Mendoza, where usually I require reinforcements to be called in to lift the bottle beyond my ankles. The wine inside has aromatics of clove, anise, dark plum, gravel and plum skins. There’s balance, wild blackberry and game characters on the palate.…Continue readingLorca Fantasia Malbec 2012
Clos de Los Siete is a French joint venture in Mendoza in Argentina with the wines made by famous Bordeaux consultant Michel Rolland. The only continent he seems not to consult on is Australia(!), but I say this in the hope that someone may know whether that is in fact the case… The 2009 vintage…Continue readingClos de los Siete par Michel Rolland Mendoza 2009
I reviewed the 2009 vintage of this blend from Norton the other day, and the 2010 vintage is pretty good too. A blend of malbec, merlot and cabernet sauvignon from Mendoza in Argentina, there are aromatics of red plum, spice and blueberry. The palate has a medium length finish with reminders of plum and black…Continue readingNorton Privada 2010
Here’s another very satisfactory wine from Mendoza in Argentina. This particular wine is a blend of malbec, merlot and cabernet sauvignon, with malbec dominant. There are aromatics of plums, cured deli meats and smoked bacon. The palate is generous with between medium and long length and flavours reminding of mulberry, plum and dark cherry. This…Continue readingNorton Privada 2009
Malbec, and more specifically, malbec from Mendoza is fast becoming my “go to” value wine. I dare say that if my random selection of wines off a shelf is representative of overall quality and prices, they would keep a few local wineries awake at night. Aromatics of game meats and blackcurrant. The palate has medium…Continue readingCatena Malbec 2011