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. 

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

Joffré E. Hijas Grand Merlot 2007, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

 

Here is an interesting and mature Merlot which opens up with aromas of spiced plum, black cherry, dry spices, tobacco, soft leather and dry mushroom. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied (alcohol coming in at 14.5%) smooth texture, plum and tobacco flavours, balanced acidity and dry silky tannins. Medium length on the finish, not terribly complex but very smooth. Very enjoyable and ready to drink now, it wouldn’t gain much by further aging, I say drink over the next 6 months. Score 88 points.

 

Purchased August 18, 2012 LCBO New Release (025098) at $17.95

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.