Amalaya Gran Corte Malbec Cabernet Franc 2016, Valle Calchaqui, Salta, Argentina 🇦🇷

🍇 Malbec 85%
🍇 Cabernet Franc 10%
🍇 Tannat 5%

🧐 Alcohol 14.5%

🍁 My Score 89 Points

🔹Beautiful and very inviting nose with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, cigar box, cedar, vanilla and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with delicious forward fruit, smooth tannins and refreshing acidity. The finish is long with flavours of black fruit, chocolate and oak spices.

🔸 I tasted their 2017 vintage @vanwinefest  and loved it. Our store @vintagespiritsvictoria  placed an order, but we received the 2016 instead. While the 2017 was a stunning wine with firm tannins which required additional time in bottle this 2016 is drinking beautifully right now. It’s definitely in a style which should have a wide appeal. A big and flavourful wine that would work beautifully paired with a BBQ steak. I am definitely waiting for the 2017 to arrive here, but in the meantime this 2016 is definitely worth repurchasing. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Luigi Bosca 2016, Terroir Los Miradores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷

🍇 Malbec 100%

🧐 Alcohol 14.4%

🍁 My Score 90 Points

🔹 A rich and inviting nose with aromas of blackberries, black cherries, burnt sugar, cedar and peppery notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, with delicious forward fruit, oak spices with grainy tannins and lively acidity. The finish is long and flavourful with sweet berry fruit, spicy with cedar notes.

🔸On a relaxing Friday night, in my glass, was this always dependable Malbec from Argentina. The company of an old friend. I have enjoyed this Malbec many times, including this vintage, twice over the last few weeks. No bottle variation here, just a delicious and rich style of Argentina Malbec paired with a BBQ steak. Comfort wine for the soul. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Bodegas Colomé Estate Malbec 2015, Calchaquí Valley, Salta, Argentina 🇦🇷

🍇 Malbec 100%

🧐 Alcohol 14.9%

🍁 My Score 91 Points

🧩 High elevation fruit from four Estate vineyards ranging in altitude of 1700m to 3100m, fermentation with indigenous yeast, aged in French oak for 15 months of which 20% is new oak and the remaining 80% second fill.

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Pleasant, inviting nose with aromas of blackberries, cherries, cassis, spices and floral notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied with a flavourful, fine texture, silky tannins and refreshing acidity. The finish is long with loads of fresh fruit, creamy chocolate, peppery and minerals.

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I have always enjoyed wines from Colomé and never miss the opportunity to sample their wines. I especially enjoyed their Amalaya Gran Corte 2017 and Autentico Malbec 2017 at last months tasting at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. This wine is definitely on the more elegant style of Malbec, from Argentina. It’s beautiful balanced with a wonderful combination of flavours, freshness and weight. A delicious wine experience 👌 Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Rutini Single Vineyard Guallallary Malbec 2014, Mendoza, Uco Valley, Argentina 🇦🇷

🍇 Malbec 100%

🧐 Alcohol 13.2%

🍁 My Score 92%

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Beautiful nose with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, plums, mocha, savoury herbs and lightly toasted notes. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied, elegant texture, silky tannins and refreshing acidity. The finish is medium-long with a fine grained texture and savoury flavours lingering.

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Tasted and purchased at Vancouver Wine Festival last February, it blew me away on how different this Malbec was from the others, I usually drink.  Most Malbec are like Bang!  I am a Malbec.  This one on the other hand was very elegant with a delicate texture, seductive mouthfeel.  Balance is everything with this Malbec.  A beautiful wine with lots of appeal. Strongly recommended Cheers my wine friends 🍷

El Enemigo Malbec 2014, Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷 ⁣ ⁣

El Enemigo Malbec 2014, Mendoza, Argentina 🇦🇷 ⁣
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🍇 Malbec 85%⁣
🍇 Cabernet Franc 15%⁣
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🧐 Alcohol 13.5%⁣
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🍁 My Score 90%⁣
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Pretty nose with aromas of blackberries, dark plums, wild berry jam, tobacco, vanilla oak spices and light earthy notes.  On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, very smooth texture, silky tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is long with flavours of peppery blueberries covered with chocolate. ⁣
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Purchased almost one year ago.  The added time in bottle allowed all elements to be fully integrated providing an easy drinking wine, full of creamy oak flavours and loads of crushed berries, made in a crowd pleasing style. It was everything I was expecting and then some 😋.  Strongly recommended. Cheers my wine friends 🍷⁣
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Finca El Origin Gran Reserva Malbec 2010, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is made with 95% Malbec, and the remainder of 3% Bonarda of 2% Cabernet Sauvignon in a supporting role, maturation in French oak barrels for 12 months. The alcohol coming in at 15%.

A very pretty nose on this Malbec, with aromas of blueberry, dark plum, currants, violet, light cedar and baking spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with delicious forward fruit and spices, well balanced by fresh acidity and firm tannins. This wines finish is long, spicy and very flavourful. I find that in this vintage, this Malbec shows a leaner more restrained style than the last few vintages, but I have to commend them on moving to a much lighter bottle. Definitely better for the environment and the bottom line I am sure. This wine should appeal widely, strongly recommended. Score 90 points.

Purchased June 22, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (65425) at $21.95

Angulo Innocenti Malbec 2010, La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

This is the inaugural vintage for this delicious wine, made with 85% Malbec with the remaining 15% Cabernet Sauvignon in a supporting role. A single vineyard fruit from their Finca Piedras Blancas estate, the climate is cool sunny days and cold mountain nights, drip irrigation and alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

This wine poured a deep opaque purple in color and opened up with attractive aromas of black fruit, violets, cedar, tar, pencil shavings and savoury spices. On the mouthfeel, a full bodied wine with great texture, crushed wild berries, creamy oak flavours, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins. This Malbec finish is robust with great energy, flavours and fine grained tannins lingering. I love the structure and flavours of this gorgeous made to please Malbec, the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon certainly added an additional layer of flavours and complexity. Great value and strongly recommended, score 91points.    

LCBO Vintages New Release of March 30, 2013 (305813) at $18.95

 

 

 The last two photos are from the winery website.

Altamira De Los Andes Reserve Malbec 2009, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is 100% Malbec with maturation for 18 months in French oak, 1/3 new oak and the other 2/3 in one time used barrels. Alcohol coming in at 15.1%.

This wine opened up with a very expressive bouquet of blueberry/blackberry fruit, violet, vanilla, tobacco and slightly meaty notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, off-dry, rich concentration of fruit, lively acidity and firm tannins. The finish is very long, fruit focussed with a masculine texture. The high alcohol is surprisingly well integrated; this is a big wine in every sense of the word, big flavours, textured and concentration. This Malbec really needs additional cellar time to fully appreciate the quality of wine that it could be; all those big flavours and tannins needs time to integrate. I would say 2-3 more years will do the job, strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased March 2, 2013, LCBO Vintages New Release (308338) at $28.95. 

Susana Balbo Brioso 2006, Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is a blend of all five Bordeaux varieties; 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot with maturation taking place in 100% new French oak for 14 months, unfined and unfiltered and alcohol coming in at 14%.

This wine opened up with aromas of crushed wild berries, plum, black currant, soft leather, exotic spices and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, lively acidity, soft tannins with a silky smooth texture. This blend has a medium length on the finish, somewhat sweet with flavours of vanilla, soft seductive fruit and gentle wood spice. This wine was six years old and in my view, drinking at its prime. I would have preferred more tannins to give this wine a little more structure. It's strength, is its aromatics. No doubt that this Susana Balbo Brioso 2006 is easy to enjoy, recommended. Score 89 points.

Purchased November 24, 2012 LCBO New Release (095265) at $36.95

Luca Malbec 2009, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is 100% Malbec, maturation taking place in 60% new French oak and 40% second-use French barrels with alcohol coming in at 14%. Very attractive nose on this Malbec with aromas of black cherry, ripe berries, chocolate, smoky and gentle wood spices. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, very tasty with a solid core of ripe fruit, fresh acidity and silky tannins. Very good length on the finish, slightly creamy with flavours of ripe wild berries savoury spices and chocolate lingering. This is a very rich and well structured Malbec where the oak treatment is noticeable but not overdone. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased September 29, 2012 LCBO New Release (167312) at $29.95

Altocedro Reserva Malbec 2009, La Consulta Vineyards, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

The fruit in this bottle is sourced from ancient vines between 49-67 years old. Maturation taking place in French oak (new and second use) for 15 months.     

Wow, what an incredible nose on this Malbec with aromas of blackberry, bing cherry, violet, chocolate, black pepper and toasty oak. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, rich and luscious texture, balanced acidity and velvet tannins. This wine’s finish is long, creamy, and smoky with great fruit concentration. A big wine in every sense of the word, lots of toasty oak but well balanced by big, ripe luscious fruit flavours, big alcohol at 15% but well integrated tannins adding structure to the whole package. A real treat, strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased July 21, 2012 LCBO New Release (187880) at $24.95

Deumayen Tres Reserva Malbec 2007, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is 100% estate grown Malbec, aging took place in new French oak for 14 months, than 12 months in bottle before release, alcohol comes in at 14%.

Wow, great nose on this Malbec with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, dark plum, vanilla, smoky and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with delicious forward fruit, savoury spices, smooth and very tasty, balance acidity with fine grained tannins. This wine's finish is long, very smooth with excellent depth of flavours that makes you look forward to the next sip. In the depth of Malbec choices available in our stores, while slightly more expensive than most, Deumayen Tres Reserva Malbec 2007 is definitely worth the extra dollars. Needs BBQ red meat too really shine, drinking really well right now. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased August 18, 2012 LCBO New Release (284000) at $27.95

Carla Chiaro Reserve Malbec 2009, Mendoza, Argentina

What a great nose on this Malbec, with aromas of cherry, dark plum, blackberry, spices, vanilla and floral notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied, red fruit and gentle wood spices flavours with fresh acidity and well integrated tannins. Medium length on the finish with spicy, juicy red and black fruit flavours. This well balanced, youthful and easy drinking nature of this Malbec makes it a great value for entertaining over this summer BBQ season. I especially liked how well handled the oak treatment was on this Malbec, by doing so, it preserved the fruity character and freshness of this wine. This wine is 100% Malbec grapes, aging took place in first and second use French and American oak for 12 months with alcohol coming in at 14%. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased July 7, 2012 LCBO New Release (235085) at $14.95

Mapema Malbec 2009, Mendoza, Argentina

This Malbec is almost too easy to drink. This wine opens up with aromas of black fruit, blackcurrant jam, mint, cedar and soft leather notes. On the palate, medium bodied (14% alcohol), juicy red and black fruit flavours, fine acidity and dusty tannins. Good length on the finish, fruit driven with a  smooth and creamy texture. On a more technical note, this wine is 100% Malbec from 83 year old vines, grown at 3200 feet. Aged 12 months in 50% new and 50%  year old French oak barrels. An attractive wine that is uncomplicated but generous. Drink now or over the next couple years, score 89 points 

Purchased April 14, 2012 LCBO New Release (275081) at $21.95

Bodegas Escorihuela 1884 Limited Production Malbec 2007, Mendoza, Argentina

I first tasted this wine at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival. The aromatics were just as nice as I remember, with aromas of  ripe berries, stewed plums, blackcurrants, white pepper, burnt sugar,  savoury and cedar notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, lively acidity, smooth tannins with sweet ripe fruit covering the palate. This Malbec finish is long with great energy, generous flavours concentrated but not overdone. This wine is drinking well right now with years of enjoyment left to come. Well made and very enjoyable, score 92 points.  

Purchased at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival wine shop March 2, 2012 at $29.99. 

Decero Remolinos Vineyard Malbec 2008, Agrelo, Mendoza, Argentina

This single vineyard Malbec grape from Remolinos vineyard (3500' above see level), in the region Agrelo, in Mendoza, maturation took place in French oak barrels (30% new) for 14 months with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. This wine has a very appealing nose with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, vanilla, cedar and violet notes. On the palate, medium-full bodied with concentrated fruit and oak flavours, balanced acidity and dusty tannins. On the medium length finish, this Malbec delivers dark fruit flavours, coffee and cedar notes followed by the same dusty tannins that make a reappearing act. As a note of caution, my bottle had a great deal of sediment, be careful when you are getting close to the end of the bottle. Enjoyable wine here, score 88 points. 

This wine was purchased February 4, 2012 LCBO New Release (247304) at $22.95

Finca El Origen Gran Reserva Malbec 2009, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Unfortunately this wine's bottle is just as heavy as last year's vintage but thankfully the Malbec inside is just as delicious. This wine opens up with aromas of bing cherry, ripe blackberry, dark plums, cassis, mocha, vanilla and violet notes. Medium to full bodied, alcohol is high at 14.9% but it doesn’t overwhelm the palate as there is plenty of ripe fruit and spices, balanced acidity with ripe and robust tannins. The finish is long, spicy and mocha flavours lingering. This wine is mostly Malbec at 96% the remaining is 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, ageing took place in French oak for 15 months. Very enjoyable. Score 88 points.
 
This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO New Release at $19.95.

Cicchitti Edicion Limitada Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina

Lots of sugar diamonds on this synthetic cork. Pretty nice aromatics of cherry, dark plums, ripe berry jam, vanilla, smoky and savoury. The palate is smooth with luscious fruit, fresh acidity and soft tannins. The finish is medium length, velvety and slightly sweet. What this wine lacks in finesse is made up in sheer fruit power. The wine is marketed as extra-dry, I think its more closer to medium. I think most people will like this wine's easy drinking and crowd pleasing style. Be careful as you get closer to the bottom of the bottle, this Malbec had tons of sediments. I cannot remember the last time I saw so much sediment. Score 88 Points

This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO New Release at $23.95

Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard Malbec 2008, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is officially released here in Ontario tomorrow (01OCT11) , but some smaller stores have a practice of stocking the shelves a day early, so I thought I would give it a try and write up a review for people who may be thinking of purchasing it. Now I have to say that Luigi Bosca Reserva Malbec has been a favourite of mine for some time, very consistent from year to year. I have never tried this Single Vineyard ( in Lujan de Cuyo in Mendoza) Malbec, but I had read only good reviews that got me excited to try this wine.

This wine opens up with ripe plums, fresh cherries, spices, red currants, light cedar and slight floral tones. Rich and vibrant mouthfeel with fresh acidity, velvet tannins and noticeable alcohol. It states 14.4% on the label but to me, it does feel higher. This Malbec finish is long with Cherry, sweet spices and mocha, leaving a good impression. This wine has so much potential, each glass was getting better and better. Overall great aromatics, very good value, this is a lot of wine for $22, drink now or hold for 4-5 years.

This wine is part of the LCBO New Release of October 1, 2011 at $21.95.

Cicchitti Gran Reserva Malbec 2004, Mendoza, Argentina

The aromas on this wine are pretty muted, after 12 months in French and American oak and about 5 years in bottle; blueberry, blackberry, tobacco, leather, pencil shaving and vanilla. The mouthfeel is thick, velvety and sweet with well integrated tannins. The finish is long, with concentrated fruit and earthy. All and all, enjoyable, great with BBQ meat. Only negative, I am not a fan of synthetic cork, a wine which spends this amount of time in bottle needs a real cork or quality Stelvin cap.

This wine was purchased July 9, 2011 LCBO New Release at $21.95