Malbec

This is a blend of grapes from Napa (Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Malbec and Petite Sirah) combined with Syrah from Sonoma.  It is a pretty big and jammy style of red wine.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, graphite, baking spices and a bit of chocolate.  Rich texture.  A nice varietal complexity.  Light tannins.  This is ready to drink now.  Lots of purple and dark red fruits.  Tasty.  Probably better served as a glass on the deck but it will work with bolder foods.  Probably best if drunk in the next year or two as the exuberance and energy are what this wine is all about

Purple in color.  The nose has nice cassis, dust, cherries and slight green bell pepper.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Good cassis fruit over a dry earthiness.  Light tannins.  The bell pepper is only on the nose.  This has some complexity at this point.  Good finish.  Not uber ripe but certainly not under ripe either.  Drinking well, it may possibly still improve with further cellaring.  Will work better with bigger or spicy foods but is ok on its own.  64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot

This is a screaming value.  Served to a group of friends, everyone loved it.  It retails for around $25, but can often be found for less.  The grapes are from 100 plus year old vines at 2300 meters in altitude.  It sees no oak.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, and slight fig notes.  On the palate, this has soft tannins.  The wine has so much energy.  Very fresh and bright.  Concentrated fruits of plums and black cherries over a gravel quality that is both interesting and delicious.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This will match a wide variety of foods. 

Made from four vineyards ranging from 1700 to 3111 meters in height. This is a concentrated and very dark wine.  It was better on day 2.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has plums, black cherries and dust.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  It is slightly tart black cherry fruit.  On day 2 it opens to show a delicious side.  Give it some air if opening soon.  It will work great with meats and other roasted dishes.  Proper cellaring has some upside here.  This is a great value in red wine.  

This is a blend of 85% Malbec, 10% Tannat, and 5% Petite Verdot.  Grown from vineyards at 5,900 feet above sea level.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has plums, spice and black raspberries.  Also a touch of black pepper.  On the palate, this has silky tannins.  Plum and black cherry fruit.  Not noticeable oak.  This wine is about accessibility and easy enjoyment.  Good fruit.  It goes down easily.  Should be drunk within the next few years.  It will work with medium and heartier foods well.  This retails for around $15 which is a great value.  

Tasted at a natural wine tasting.  This is an interesting wine if not particularly something I wold want to drink again.  Purple/garnet/dark brown in color.  The nose is different.  Starting out with an earthy/musty note, it cleans up with air showing some red berries which in turn are followed by a sweet tart and bubble gum note.  Probably caused by carbonic maceration.  On the palate, this has a tingly quality that could be some trapped CO2.  It is very tannic for such a light bodied wine.  Black cherries and mushroom with an underlying damp earthiness.  Clipped on the finish.  This was s

Looking for an outstanding Napa Cabernet for $50?  This one fits just fine.  This is drinking just great right now but will easily last a decade.  84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 3% Malbec,1% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, a bit of pencil lead, coffee and a slight dusty note.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Great balance.  Plenty of cassis fruit over a dry earthy note.  Good finish.  This will go well with a variety of heavier dishes from BBQ to roasts.  

This used to be a go to wine, but its been a few years, so it was a pleasure to be able to revisit this Bordeaux Blend.  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petite Verdot.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cherries and spice.  With air some plums come out.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Lots of juicy black currants, with black raspberries.  Firm tannins.  Nice balance.  This has not yet been released and of course, will need a few years to really show what it has.  I believe the release price will be around $80 which is fair for the quality from Napa.  It will go we

An Argentina blend that is 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Malbec, 19% Petit Verdot and 10% Tannat.  Purple/ruby in color.  This took some time to open and though not necessarily better on Day 2, it was different.  The nose is dust with cherries, plums and an herbal note (tarragon?).  On day 2, it went more to black and blue fruits.  The palate has black cherries and plums with underlying dry earth and baking spice.  On Day 2, again it picks up more plums but also blueberries.  Tannins really come out on Day 2.  This win should match well with grilled and roasted meats and other hearty foods. 

This is a joint venture between Rothschild and Catena to make a luxury wine.  Caro means expensive.  it is a blend of 50/50 Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with plums and black cherries.  Also some smoke.  On the palate, the black cherries predominate but also some plums over some charred wood.  It is ripe and a ever so faintly sweet which is probably just ripe fruit.  This will work with big meat dishes and certainly on its own.  Seems to be drinking well now if a bit young.  It should have the potential to mature nicely for a decade and